Earlier this week, I was thrilled and humbled to have a respected literary agent from Toronto (my No. 1 draft pick, in all honesty) ask me to submit my full manuscript for FINDING SETH. I might not cry happy tears every time I get a request for a full, but this time I certainly did!
In sharing this happy news with family and friends, I realized many of them/you are not necessarily familiar with the book publishing process. To that end and to hopefully answer some of the questions I’ve been getting this week, I put together this quick “Book Publishing 101” tutorial:
- Author writes book: This can take months, even years to complete.
- Author revises book: Again, this can take a very, verrrrrrrrry long time! Revisions are usually done with the help of volunteer beta readers and critique partners. (I’m super grateful to all of mine!)
- Author revises book again. And again. And…
- Author seeks agent: Once the manuscript is as polished as it can be, Author then begins to query agents. There are as many ways to do this as there are literary agencies in North America, but the most traditional route is a query letter/email. *It’s super important to find a good agent, as this person is the mediator between Author and Book Publisher.* Probably 95 percent of publishers in this day and age insist on working with authors who have agent representation. (There is, of course, the option of self-publishing, but that’s a different blog for a different day…) Today’s social media allow authors to interact with agents in other forums as well, such as Twitter and Facebook; contests pop up all the time where authors can pitch their ideas online. I found an online webinar hosted by Writers Digest and my agent of choice that included a five-page critique — that’s how I got my sample in front of Agent.
- Agent reviews Author’s work: If a literary agent likes the concept of Author’s manuscript, Agent will request to see more — either the first three chapters or the entire manuscript. (This is where I do a little happy dance, as Agent requested my full manuscript. Go, SETH!)
- Agent discusses representation: As I mentioned before, Agent is the communicator between Author and Book Publisher. If Agent feels that he/she can successfully sell Author’s book to a Publisher, Agent will offer representation to Author. (This is the next HUGE step in my writing journey. Please pray for me!!) If Agent declines to offer representation, Author goes back to querying.
- Agent and Author polish book for submission: There’s much back-and-forth in this phase of the game. Neither Agent nor Author will receive any payment unless and until the manuscript is sold on contract.
- Book goes on submission: Agent submits manuscript to Publishers in hopes one of them will agree to back the project. This can take days, weeks, months…
- Publisher, Agent and Author agree on contract: Once a publishing company agrees to take on the project, contracts are drawn up and signed. Book is edited again by editor at publishing house. Another very long, tedious process.
- Book is scheduled for publication!!!
Of course this is a very basic, simplified overview of what is a very lengthy and complex process. And not every book’s journey follows these exact steps — sometimes communications break down between authors and agents, and they decide to part ways before submitting the manuscript to publishers. Sometimes authors receive multiple offers of representation — wouldn’t that be a wonderful problem to have!
I’m just feeling very, very blessed today — not only by the interest in my manuscript but by the outpouring of love and support I’ve received from all of you since announcing my news. I know there will be many more ups and downs along this process, but the ride is going to be worth it since I know so SO many of you are backing me up and cheering me on!
With love and gratitude,
LB