Would you like
to know the best way of getting your work out of that rotten slush pile that
has crippled so many careers?

Stop sending
your work to the big publishers like Random House, Macmillan, Penquin Group and
Simon & Shuster and then waiting forever to hear back. Unless you have an
agent working for you who assures you the book will sell, quit torturing
yourself.

**I’d love to
know the real statistics of how many manuscripts those publishers have received
over the last ten years and the percentage of contracts they’ve given out…???

Instead, find
yourself a decent editor. There are many out there who are willing to work hard
for reasonable rates. You just have to ask around and get references. And tell
that editor that you want the truth. Is your book ready to be published? And
take the response like a professional. If she/he tells you it needs work, then
listen.

Be objective and…
and honest!

Is your book as
good as what’s out there today by other BEST-SELLING Indie authors? After all, that is your ultimate goal – or should be. Take a
clear-eyed look at what your editor has said and follow instructions unless
they’re completely unacceptable. Get other views if you’re not sure. There are
many beta readers (find on Goodreads) who will be happy to help you with an
honest opinion. Join a group that offers such support. And don’t just take the
word of one reader – try a few.

Next, find someone
to format your book. Either a professional who knows what they’re doing or
learn to do it yourself. Don’t slap it together and publish it – but check what the pro’s are turning out and make sure your formatting is done as well.

And then give
your book a chance. Don’t just publish and pray. Work hard at getting it found.
Join Indie loops for advice. Sign up with RWA chapters if you write romance.
Find local groups of authors who might be of help like the one I found in my
community that includes 6 published authors who are a font of wonderful
information… (and I live in a very small community). Maybe there’s a group like
this one where you live. Search for them.

Be prepared to
work hard. I mean really hard. (Next Blog)

Be prepared to
pay money here and there to promote. (Next after next blog J

Anything less
and your book will join millions of others in the outer realm of lost,
forgotten and very lonely novels!!