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Friday, October 14, 2016

Tips on How to Get Your Book Well-Published by Jacqueline Seewald

I know there are many writers who claim to do well self-publishing. I applaud and commend them for their efforts. However, be aware that this involves a great deal of intensive work on the part of the writer and often requires a costly lay-out of expenses for professional services such as cover art and editing if the writer wants to present a quality product.

My suggestion is to try traditional publishing first. Let’s assume you have written a unique book, whether fiction or nonfiction. You have made certain that there are no obvious typos or grammatical errors. You now feel ready to present it.

Step One: create a query letter. Google for suggestions. There are many detailed articles on this topic available for free on the internet. Generally, query letters which you  send to agents are going to be relatively short. Agents are busy people and these days they have shorter attention spans than ever. So you want your letter to sound as interesting and professional as possible. Describe the genre of your book, the length, and give a brief, intriguing blurb in your first paragraph.

Second paragraph, offer your expertise for writing this particular book. Give any background info that will impress the agent. What have you previously had published?
Any awards for writing in this subject area?

Step Two: Now that you have put together a general query letter, start examining the various agents. Get a listing that tells you what the various agents are interested in representing. You don’t want to send a query for a romance novel to an agent who only represents nonfiction.  

Do some research on Google. Start with the better known agents in your genre. You can always work your way down.
Pay close attention to the directions for querying and follow them exactly. Should agents responds affirmatively, submit what they request in the prescribed manner.

The top agents work with the big publishers. They in turn pay advances, get your novel reviewed by influential review publications as well as providing PR people who help provide publicity and promotion. Most of all, the big publishing houses have distribution. This is vitally important if your book is going to sell and be read by the public.

Now for the commercial message: My latest novel
THE INHERITANCE from Intrigue Publishing is available for
pre-order both in print and inexpensively as an e-book. It’s a romantic mystery with cozy elements and suspense. It’s also a “clean read”.


You can check it out here:


Also:
and many other booksellers.
Interested in what makes a bestseller? I’ve examined current trends and statistics on this topic. Check it out at:  http://jacquelineseewald.blogspot.com

Good luck to you in getting your book well-published!

Wishing each of you great success and recognition in your field of expertise. 

Questions and comments are most welcome here.

12 comments:

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

Great advice, Jacquie!
Thanks for sharing
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT

Susan Coryell said...

Great advice, Jacqueline! And I'd add, if you can't snag an agent, do your own self-promotion to get a good SMALL publisher, rather than one of the Big 6. I've been published by both big and small and I MUCH prefer working with small publishers who care about their authors. LOVE your new cover, BTW and hope to read it soon.

Patricia Gligor's Writers Forum said...

I pre-ordered your book. Can't wait to read it!

I completely agree that a new writer should try to find a publisher first whether they go the agent route or search for a small publisher. However, after they've gotten their name out there (takes time and a lot of work) and published a few books, I think self-publishing future books might be a good option.

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Pam,

Thanks for the good wishes!

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Hi Susan,

I agree. I've also been published by large and small publishers. I've had several agents who represented my work. They didn't sell anything. I sold my own work. However, for someone just starting out with a first book, I think querying top agents first is the way to go.

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Hi Patricia,

First, thank you for your support. When someone has read my previous novels and wants to read the latest one, I consider that the highest accolade.

I totally agree that once a writer has been published and developed a following, self-publishing is viable and can prove lucrative.

Susan Oleksiw said...

Good advice, Jacquie, and especially useful now with the changes going on in Five Star and Penguin. As you point out, self-publishing has costs, but both traditional and self-pubbing require time and discipline. Good luck with your new book and new publisher.

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Hi Susan,

Getting well-published is requires time, effort and patience.
Whether trying traditional or self-pubbing, it's not for the faint of heart.

Kathy McIntosh said...

Good advice, something that I've grown to expect from you. Also expect this latest book will be another winner! You are a great role model for other authors and writers.

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Thank you, Kathy! This mystery novel is a departure for me--new characters in a new setting. I hope readers will enjoy it.

Earl Staggs said...

As always, Jacqueline, you offer good advice based on your been-there-done-that experience. Thanks for all you do.

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Earl,

Thank you. I very much appreciate and enjoy reading your blogs as well.