The manuscript for my novel is almost done. What's the first step to get it published?

Question

I know I need an agent, right? Can anyone help me out with finding one?

Answer 1

Going to conferences where publisher reps hear your pitch is a good way to start. For instance PennWriters in PA has a yearly conference featuring publisher reps. You make an appt. time and pitch to the person. They tell you yay or nay.

A yay doesn't even begin to mean publication though. Then you meet with them again, after giving them the first chapter or two. After they read that then they decide whether they will pass it up the line. Getting a book published can be a long, tedious process. The agent would come in when you begin to talk actual publication. You can go through many rewrites before you even get anywhere near publishing.

An Agent can also decide whether to present your book to a publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts sent to a publisher are a really bad idea. Many of your big houses will send them back unopened.

Many big cities have a literary guild. These guilds often have publishing contacts. Join one for the conversation and knowledge.

Good luck!

Answer 2

As an experienced writer and published fantasy author, I suggest you find a good editor to clean up your manuscript and get it ready for submission to various agents. You'll have to research agencies, as there are no right answers when it comes to agents EXCEPT that you need one if you're a new author. Most major publishers these days won't even open unsolicited manuscripts unless you have previously published something OR you have a super strong query letter or an agent submitting for you. Publisher slush piles are in the thousands, so don't waste your time, postage or printing costs submitting direct.

Once you have a finished, polished manuscript and an agent to handle it, you should be able to find a publisher sooner or later. Agents know the game and they know what the publishing houses are looking for. Trying it on your own is a long, tedious and often disappointing road to oblivion.

That's my advice. Good luck with your book.

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Answer 3

Oh dear, did you research with publishers and agent before you began this epic? Publishers get millions of over the transom manuscripts ever year and the plain truth is, most are never even read! Lot's of luck.

Answer 4

Find the Writer's Market in the reference section of your library. Better yet, buy one, because the one at your library will probably be a couple of years old.

I recommend joining some writer's communities, getting your novel critiqued by fellow writers, and reading as much advice as you can about marketing your writing. There's a lot of resources out there.

Good luck. I'm in the same situation, too, currently shopping around a manuscript.

Answer 5

Writer's Market
It's actually not that expensive!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1582971897/002-4352876-0190452?v=glance&n=283155