Ask Bob: What Do I Have To Do To Get Published?

This great question came in from Adam, an incarcerated citizen at Rockbridge Regional Jail. Below is an excerpt of my answer to him: 

Adam: First, be a good writer, and have something to say. Keep writing, and writing, and writing! I have guys ask me about becoming an author, but they have no depth, stories, or content to share.  Stephen King says to be a good writer you should read a ton of books too.  It does help, for sure. After a while you start to notice the difference between various writer’s styles, and it helps you to connect with your style to create your own voice in your work. 

This will sound crazy, but don’t let grammar or spelling get in the way of your good writing. Once you’re out and you’re on a computer 99% of that can be done for you automatically with spell check.  Plus, that’s why God invented editors! Of course, do your best to try to improve your skills and learn of course, but NEVER interrupt your writing for misspelled words or grammar – it kills your creative flow. Use the time when you don’t feel like writing to go back to edit and check for grammatical and spelling issues. 

Writing and getting something published are two different things of course. My first four books I wrote I self-published online through an Amazon company called Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Profit margins are better for self-publishing, but you miss the market distribution Publishers can provide. I checked all the companies offering to help you self-publish, but no one beat KDP. With them it’s free to set up a book, they give you free services (like an ISBN number, bar code, cover design, etc.) and there is no minimum number of books you need to buy; you can buy them one at a time if you like. When you self-publish with them you are automatically on Amazon and it’s just one more step to make an eBook on Kindle with them through the same outlet, also at no charge. 

The funny thing about book publishing is this:  publishers seem to want an author to have a following or a track record of book sales before they publish them (unless the book they wrote is SO JUICY they must have it!). It’s kind of like employers wanting to hire workers with experience. 

I recommend Self-publishing to get some sales under your belt, and once you get around 5,000 or more books sold it’s easier to get the attention of a Literary Agent or Publisher.  For first-time authors a Literary Agent is very helpful since they have relationships with publishers already. Don’t let them charge more than 10% of the gross sales.

There are some publishers that actively publish books of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated citizens. You can have someone do a Google search for you for those, or you can see who published some of your favorite books and contact them.  You can also get lists of literary agents online, and blast each of them with letters until you get a response. Ask for their Submittal Requirements, but Agents and Publishers generally want a Book proposal, sample chapter or two, your Outline, your Marketing & Promotions Plan, and a resume or life statement. Get ready to send out about 100-200 or more letters to Agents, and/or Publishers before you get a positive response. But that’s where having a self-published track record helps you get an Agent or Publisher.

Best of luck in your writing, and in your efforts to get published!