Are you an author with a book manuscript that’s just waiting to be published? Are you having trouble getting your work in front of the right people? Knowing that you have an amazing book but not getting noticed is a frustrating feeling. Publishing is a competitive industry, and it can be difficult to get your foot in the door. However, there are things you can do to increase your chances of being noticed that we’ll explore today.
Build a Presence Online
In today’s world, it’s important to have an online presence. This is one of the best ways to get your work in front of publishers and agents; what’s more, it makes publishers take notice when they receive your book and see that you have a large following. There are many ways to build a presence online, but some of the most effective include:
- Starting a blog
- Being active on social media
- Guest posting on other blogs
- Creating a website or online portfolio
Develop Your Platform
Your platform is the foundation on which you’ll build your online presence; it’s important to develop a platform that is strong and well-rounded. This means creating content that is not only high-quality but also interesting and engaging. It also means reaching out to your target audience and building relationships with them too. If you don’t have a website or blog, now is the time to create one. If you do have a website or blog, take some time to update it and make sure it attracts the right people.
Hire an Editor
We know you’ve been through the book editing process and you’re confident in your work. But, trust us, it’s worth hiring a professional editor to take another look at your book before it goes off to publishers. After all, you don’t get a second chance to make a good impression with a publisher. A good editor will catch errors, typos, and inconsistencies that you may have missed; they can also provide feedback because they know how to professionally edit a novel.
While you might not think so now, publishers can tell the difference between a book that’s been professionally edited and one that hasn’t. If you want to give your book the best chance of getting noticed, don’t ignore this step.
Choose a Specific Publisher
You want to get your book published, this is understandable. However, it doesn’t mean that you should send your book to every single publisher out there. This is a waste of time and resources, and it will likely result in more rejections.
Instead, do your research and choose a specific publisher that you think would be a good fit for your book. Then, follow their submission guidelines to the letter. This shows that you’re a professional and that you’re serious about getting your book published with them. Just like publishers can tell when a book is professionally edited, they can also tell when you’ve sent your book to every publisher possible.
Master Your Pitch
At last, you’ve found the email address of the acquisitions editor for your dream publisher. You sit down to compose a query letter, but then you realize you have no idea what a query letter is or what it’s supposed to do. A query letter is a one-page letter that introduces you, your book, and why the publisher would want to publish it.
Your query letter is your chance to make a good first impression, so you want to spend some time crafting it. In addition to a well-written letter, you should also include a brief synopsis of your book and an author bio.
Go out there and make your dreams come true this year!