Teri Gault with Authority Magazine asked Leslie Rindoks to weigh for her series on publishing. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
Based on your experience, what are 5 main steps that you would recommend for someone to get their first book published with a publisher?
1. READ! Read, read, and read some more. Read the news, novels, poetry, the label on your shampoo bottle. When you find a passage that takes your breath away, or makes you laugh out loud, write it down. Analyze it; learn from it.
2. Write with abandon. After completing a draft of your manuscript, put it away. Let it sit for a while and work on something else.
3. Revise with precision. After some time has passed, re-read your manuscript with a cold eye. Don’t expect an agent or a publisher to jump on a project that requires revision. Read it out loud, take note where you automatically change wording, analyze your plot, your character development, your dialogue, and scene setting. Look for holes in your plot line. Are you asking the reader to make too big a leap? Does your dialogue sound natural? Are all the elements in your story supporting its theme?
4. Query smart. Look for agents and/or publishers who are interested in your type of manuscript. Do your homework; don’t waste time sending your steampunk fantasy to someone only interested in celebrity memoirs. Know what they’re interested in; read their blogs and follow them on social media. And when you query, follow their guidelines; they are there for a reason. Agents and publishers receive hundreds of queries each week, and consequently they each have developed methods for sorting through the deluge. Your cover letter and your synopsis are your first impression when you query, so make sure they shine.
5. Exercise patience. It takes a long time to read all these queries. Resist the urge to contact the publisher, agent, or editor who has your work. Don’t tell them you’ve got another offer unless you actually do. While you’re waiting, work on your next project; build your social media presence; beef up your author website.
Full Story Link