I have always wanted to become a writer and traditionally publish my work. I wanted to become the next J.K. Rowling. Didn’t everyone? I wondered how to begin such an amazing dream. I am the type of person who needs to see most of, if not, the entire picture before beginning the smaller steps. If you are like me, you may need to conceptualize before you can visualize what is next.
About two years ago, I learned the steps a writer can take to get traditionally published from Robert Lee Brewer in Guide to Literary Agents (2021). I have journaled and daydreamed while beginning some of these steps. I am in the middle of it but that doesn’t mean I can’t share with you what I have learned. We can be on this journey together and work in personal divine timing.
1. Finish your novel
Novel? Well, I started a high fantasy hero’s journey and worked on it for about ten years. I took a break from it to draft a few children’s chapter books and now I am thinking I won’t look back at my novel drafts. If I want to still write that story, I am open to just rewriting it. I am a different writer now. It would be more trouble working with what I started.
The ideas for the chapter books were inspired by my oldest son’s sketches when he was about 10 or 11 years old. I figured I better get started on those while my son was young. He liked that I liked his drawing style. I imagined myself finding an illustrator that would mimic his characters’ likeness. With my son in the summer months, I remember I had laid out a blanket on our grass in the backyard while I journaled scenes sharing my progress with him who at the time, enjoyed hearing the process. I was able to draft 3 complete children’s chapter books that summer hoping to complete a series.
2. Revise- work with an independent editor- ask the editor for writing samples, references, or critiques he/she has done in the past
I haven’t done this exactly yet. I am an elementary teacher, and I asked a retired former colleague to edit my work. She did it out of the kindness of her heart even though the high fantasy style wasn’t her genre preference. After the third chapter book, I felt worried that maybe she was getting a little tired of editing for free. I just don’t think the coffee shop gift cards I was giving her would cut it after a while.
3. “Publish short stories or novel excerpts in literary journals” (Brewer, 2021, p.6) – this will prove to prospective agents that editors see quality in your work
I did a bunch of research on this process. I found insight on the magazine market from Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published (Writers Digest Books, 2021). I found out that there was a children’s magazine that wanted fantasy. I worked on an excerpt from one of my chapter books making sure it fit the needed word length and other requirements. I submitted my piece meeting all the magazine guidelines. I waited for months to see if my work would be used in one of their magazine issues. As I waited, I began to put more focus on my work and family things.
Finally, the rejection came. The rejected email was expected since I hear that even the greatest authors out there have received rejection after rejection but it still hurt and really slowed down my momentum.
4. Research to find the agents of writers whose works are similar to yours
Since I haven’t submitted work to other literary magazines, I personally don’t feel ready to move onto this step. Through my research, I have learned that it is very difficult to get a publisher without a literary agent. Since I am a teacher, I am very familiar with Scholastic book fairs and scholastic book catalogs. I dream of one day having my books available to school age students: in book fairs, catalogs, and in school libraries. I have learned that Scholastic won’t even look at my book without being solicited. I called them. And a literary agent won’t consider me unless I have been published. So, there you go…
5. “…construct a list of agents who are open to new writers AND looking for your category of fiction…” (Brewer, 2021, p.6).
Oh I plan to do this as soon as I get published in magazines.
6. Write the synopsis of your novel
I have done a bunch of research on this topic as well. Basically, it is a summary of your plot. It will be used to sell your book to publishers or agents. I have also learned that it can’t sound like you are selling it. What? WAY2WRITING will present more information about this in the future. Watch the development of way2writing.com unfold as it will evolve providing content, service, and community to the writer on a writer’s journey.
7. Write the query letter
A query letter is a way to introduce yourself and your work. How will your work interest the literary agent enough to make money in the end?
8. Prepare knowledge to act on any offer
Yikes! I don’t know yet. I need to expand on my understanding of this concept. I will gladly dive into it once I am at this stage of the publishing process. Dreams really do come true.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Brewer, Robert Lee. (2021). Guide to Literary Agents. Writer’s (30th ed.). Writer’s Digest Books.
