| To write a novel that will be appealing to a major | | | | - Some of the most successful authors do not |
| royalty publisher involves more than just talent | | | | write all of their material |
| and hard work. It requires creating a plan from | | | | - Some of the most successful authors do not |
| the outset and the discipline to follow it. | | | | write any of the material under their signature |
| Everybody Has a Story Worth Telling | | | | The list is much longer, but the point is obvious. |
| If you have begun reading this article, there's a | | | | And this is why a plan is critical for an unpublished |
| good possibility you have either been told this, | | | | author or an already difficult task can soon |
| heard this, or feel this way for your own | | | | become insurmountable. |
| reason(s). And while it may not be irrational to | | | | Before you Commit the First Word to Paper, |
| believe that each of us has a story worth | | | | Formulate a Plan and Force Yourself to Follow It |
| publishing, doing so in a manner that is palatable | | | | For those writers who have the foresight to |
| beyond our family and closest friends is indeed | | | | create a plan and the discipline to follow it, here |
| what separates writers. But is the latter part of | | | | are a few suggestions that will at least give each |
| the preceding statement always true? | | | | of you a fighting chance to have your novel |
| It's Often Not a Matter of Ability | | | | considered by a quality agent and a bona fide |
| I don't think it would be out of line to state that | | | | royalty publisher: |
| we've all read a novel which we've paid our hard | | | | 1. Determine the genre or sub-genre in which you |
| earned money for and later shaken our heads in | | | | will be writing. If you should be having difficulty |
| wonder and disgust at how the book every got | | | | with this, go to the free agentquery web site for |
| published. You might have even said to yourself | | | | definitions. |
| (and often) that you've written material much | | | | 2. Review current novels in your genre to |
| better than what you just read, but your story | | | | determine the authors who are being published |
| was rejected. So why did a writer's inferior | | | | and by whom. Make a list of these authors' |
| material attract a publisher when your superior | | | | agents (they are generally referenced on the |
| work hadn't? | | | | novel's Acknowledgments page). This will provide |
| Specific Manuscript Faults that Can Cause | | | | you with a group of agents to query, and you'll |
| Rejection | | | | likely find that some (or another agent in their |
| Assuming that basic grammar and punctuation | | | | agency) will accept unsolicited material. |
| were not an issue, several factors can determine | | | | 3. More important than any of the issues in this |
| why a manuscript was never considered | | | | list, it is imperative that you write your novel so it |
| publishable. In no particular order, here are some | | | | is an exact fit for the publisher's definition of the |
| of those reasons. And please note that all of | | | | genre. |
| these shortcomings are the result of inadequate | | | | 4. Pay attention to word count, paragraph length, |
| editing. | | | | chapter length, and general layout. Avoid long runs |
| - Certain plot elements seemed contrived | | | | of italics and all parentheses (the latter is purely a |
| - The characters were not interesting | | | | personal hang up of mine). |
| - The scenes were not fully developed | | | | 5. You can certainly take advantage of critique |
| - There was not adequate conflict | | | | groups, writer's workshops, and friends and |
| - The dialogue was not realistic | | | | relatives. But have a professional editor--whom |
| - The pacing was slow | | | | you have thoroughly checked out--at least read |
| - The premise was poor | | | | your manuscript before sending it off. And if you |
| - Formatting was wrong for the genre | | | | do take my advice on this, find an editor who has |
| - Paragraphs and/or chapters were too long | | | | experience with royalty publishers in your |
| These are some of the common reasons for | | | | manuscript's exact genre. |
| rejection, yet you may have just read material | | | | 6. You will not get a second chance with an agent |
| from a major imprint that contained some if not | | | | or publisher. And the list of good ones who are still |
| many of the very flaws that are listed. How is | | | | accepting unsolicited material in both arenas is |
| this so? Read on. | | | | dwindling fast. So make your manuscript as |
| The Not So Obvious Reasons Poor Material is | | | | perfect as possible in every way prior to sending |
| Published | | | | it. |
| It is important to understand that today's | | | | Put the Cart in Front of the Horse and Create |
| publisher is interested in readership potential more | | | | Your Liner Notes First |
| than ever, and an established author with a | | | | This is the time to put two short paragraphs of |
| guaranteed readership is key. The penchant to | | | | your dreams for your novel on paper. Design |
| print books that will assure a certain number of | | | | beforehand what your liner notes (and ultimately |
| sales encourages the following: | | | | your query letter) should look like when your |
| - Books are written too fast, and this results in | | | | manuscript is finished, and your characters will |
| diminished quality | | | | never be shallow and your scenes can never be |
| - Books are poorly edited, since many publishers | | | | weak. Now follow your dreams. |
| do very little of this work any longer | | | | |