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I'll tell you all that I know about getting published. I have never gotten any of my work published, but I have really researched the process of publishing. It is hard. As a friend of mine said, "writing is fun, editing is a pain, but publishing is like climbing Mt. Everest twice in a row" I'm not saying that to discourage you, but just to give you an idea of how tough it can be. But, if you don't give up, and keep on trying, I know you will be able to get published. This is how it works: Once you have the final draft of your novel ready, you have to check out some books from the library (or buy them) that have lists of publishing companies in them. (Usually in libraries these books cannot be checked out, but they are at the reference desks) Search these books for fiction, or non fiction publishers (depending on what you want to submit) and then write down their names, numbers and addresses. Be sure to read their guidelines and make sure they apply to your work. Also jot down their
requirements on what they want you to submit i.e. five chapters, the first chapter, the entire manuscript, or if they want you to send a cover letter. Then, once you get home, pick out five or so of the publishers you picked out and address a separate manila envelope to each of them. Put in a copy of your work (don't forget to only put in what they ask for. If they want only the 1st chapter, don't send the whole manuscript. ect) At the top of your work, in the left hand
corner put your name address phone number and maybe fax or email. Then, starting in almost the middle of your page, type the title of your story (center it, and use only a non fancy font like times new roman. Do NOT use special stationary or anything like that. There is nothing that turns an editor off faster. Also, use size 12 font for the whole thing, even the title. At the bottom of your page, put the page number, (if there is more than one page.) Only use one side of
the plain white paper that you are typing your story on. Also, you may want to include a cover letter (I think that's what it's called) which includes a synopsis of your book (like what you would find on the back cover of a book) and a little about yourself. Don't tell them you are inexperienced. Tell them if you won any writing contests, or have other writing accomplishments. If you haven't, just don't mention the subject at all. Be sure to tell the publisher at the top of the letter that this is a simultaneous submission. (which means that you are submitting it to more than publisher at a time) DON"T have your cover letter be longer than one page!!
If you get a letter accepting your submission, CONGRADULATIONS!! you are ALMOST a published author. the editor may want you to change a few things on your book, and you can do that. After that, all you have to do is sign a contract and your book will be in stores all over the place! You will usually want to get about 10% to 20% royalties, which means you will get 10 to 20 percent of the price of each book that sells. I don't know much about the legal aspects of it, so you will need to research this yourself.
If you get a rejection letter, don't feel cheated, just try again! Eventually you will get published! Madeline Engle sent her novel A Wrinkle in Time around like 80 times or more before she was published!
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