TeamIf you’re a first-time writer or author, you might not know how to get your first book published. In this post, we’re going to walk you through the book publishing process. So without wasting our time, let’s talk about how to get your first book published.
Tips To Publish Your First Book
While we believe there’s no hidden secret to publishing your first book, there are some things you should know. Let’s assume you’ve taken your time to produce a quality book for people to read, here are some tips on how to get the book from your desktop to the shelves of a bookstore.
Partner with an agent
You need to work with an agent if this is your first time getting a book published. Agents are experts, and they know in and out of the publishing industry. They have contacts with specific editors and know what editor or publisher would accept. You need to work with an agent that’s right for you. Once the agent is satisfied with your book quality, the agent will take the book to the publisher. Traditionally, agents only get paid when they sell your work and receive a commission on everything penny you get.
Enter a literary contest
You can quickly gain the attention of an agent when you participate in a literary contest. Most of the popular contests are run by literary journals or writing departments. Others might be run by writing organizations, state and federal governments. Some contests award winners thousands to millions of dollars and a publication contract. But the downside is, there are just a few notable contests, and if you don’t win the contests, you are back to square one.
Publish the book yourself
In today’s digital world, new writers or authors are publishing their books every day. You can quickly self-publish your book at little or no upfront cost through different online services, thanks to the advent of digital self-publishing. This is the best option for a writer that doesn’t want to work with an agent or editor. As a result, the author handled the formatting and editing, editorial design, and marketing aspect of the book. This is a challenging task to handle for first-time writers or authors, but it’s possible.
Use a book publishing company
A book publishing company offers freedom and speed of publishing the book yourself and guides you through the process, providing access to illustrations, strategic advice, editing services, and more. Apart from publishing books, some publishing companies can help you publish hardcover books and paperback. However, there is an upfront cost, which many authors find costly at first, but the potential earnings you will receive in return are worthwhile.
The Option You Choose Depends On You
As you can see from the tips above, there are different ways to publish your first book. Ultimately, your resources and goals will influence which publishing option to choose. Regardless of the option you choose, make sure you give in your best effort.
