Deborah Hall-Branch

When my ex-husband’s father decided he wanted to go into business for himself, he began to spend a considerable amount of time researching every aspect of what it takes to become a successful restaurant owner. He discovered success was based on several factors: quality, value, location, branding, and marketing with visibility and accessibility.

In this he learned that you can have the most beautiful ambient dining room, delectable menu items and the highest standard customer service, yet still fail if you don’t apply those several factors. Although every writer is different, becoming a successful published author is based around the same principles. Authors, who attempt to navigate the waters of the publishing world without the guidance of someone, do so at their own risk. Rejection, frustration, and disappointment are real in the publishing world. I found even in Christian publishing. Your goal could even end up being short-circuited.

You’ve spent considerable amount of time writing, developing your manuscript—doesn’t it deserve the best possible opportunity to be read? While no one will guarantee that you will hit New York’s Best Sellers list, you owe it to yourself to follow every aspect of the guidelines just as my father-in-law did towards reaching that goal. His restaurant remained in business for eighteen years. His vision succeeded far greater than what he ever imagined and he became a well-known entrepreneur in the North section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until his demise.

Check the quality of your manuscript before sending it out. Avoid bureaucratic language so that your manuscript isn’t wordy and unnecessarily complex. Here are some helpful bullets:

• What do my words mean?

• What is my intent?

• Which words will help me express my story to my readers?

• What results will my readers get?

Value your product. If you don’t, no one else will. Research, locate, and submit to agents in your writing genre. Some agents will represent more than one (ex. Fiction, nonfiction) but you need to know before sending in your query letters. Remember, your branding it with your name. “First impression is the lasting impression.” Protect your reputation by following the agents and publishing houses guidelines. Do not send in your manuscript on colored or scented paper. By visiting their website you’ll find all the information you need including what their response time is.

After your book has been published—marketing begins. Once my contract was signed, sealed, delivered back to my publisher, and I had the ISBN number I began to market Through the Eyes of Abuse introducing myself to people making sure pre-purchase was accessible by handing out signage with all the information on it.  Be prepared for the increase responsibilities that come with successful publishing.

Be a wise steward over your story. Some of you may even benefit from an author coach. Majority of authors who submit their material to publishers don’t understand what publishers are looking for. An author coach can help in that assessment. Not all author coaches are necessarily agents, but are quit knowledgeable in the area of publishing.

Find the best means for you to get your manuscript published and go for it. Anything worthwhile doing you have to apply yourself.