10 Solutions to the Problem of Publishing a Book

Last Two.. the ones in bold are the two I'm focusing on.

1) A completed book: This might sound like a no-brainer, but really you need a completed book. How do you tell a publisher that your book isn't ready to be published? Or worst still isn't even out of the first draft phase? Need I say more?

2) A Good Editor: Really anyone is great, except your relatives... that's not so good.

3) A Good Plot and Characters: I know I know, but still it's in the top ten isn't it? If your characters don't have a life or feeling to them, why read the book, or if it's plot driven and there isn't a plot why read it?

4) A Good Rewrite or Eight: How many drafts have I done??? Inkers? Hands up two three fifteen?

5) A Person to Reread the Book: This should be a friend who likes you, but who will be honest with you. Why a friend? If they can't read no one else will

6) A Marketing Plan: Where's this going to go? You'd better know as you're writing a book

7) A Business Plan or at least some knowledge of the Industry: This way you know where to send a book, and best of all what is a good contract.

8) A Sense of Humor: Not in your writing necessarily, but in your quest to get the book published.

9) A Small Ego: Not pride, but none of us are J.K. Rowling, or have a last name of King... be willing to be proud of the book, but not so proud...

and last but not least

10) Knowledge of Your Book: You'd better know what your book will be about, but also what potential the book has. (Niche market, Big Traditional Publisher. etc.)

My Question for you today is this: What is your list?

There you go, the last and best. New series Tomorrow.

10 Solutions to the Problem of Publishing a Book

Still on Publishing a Book... are you still with me? Publishing a Book just got a bit easier. Not because of me, but because of the ever expending publishing options out there.

So Who can help?

Literary Agents:

They'll be able to read and tell you what is or isn't good about contracts, and will also guide you in the trickier aspects of contracts. I know some don't need one, but I do, I write. I don't need the big huge lawyer dictionary beside me trying to to figure out what isn't great in a contract. On the other hand, you might not need a literary agent if
a) the contract is straight forward or
b) you've gotten some success as a writer without.

Either way still good to have one.

A Reread By Someone else:

Tell them to reread it, and never tell them it's a first draft, I always like to ask if I sent it out right now, today would you buy it? That gets the most honest answers. Also if the person whom you gave it to takes forever to return it, well, it's bad then. Assume this.

I prefer giving a second draft to a friend, as if they can't read no one else will, and a later draft to my editor these days. Saves her form losing her mind.

My Question for you today: What's the best thing about a literary agent and the worst? And, What the neatest thing someone told when rereading your writing?