When Should I Publish?

It's well known in the publishing industry that getting a new author’s novel published traditionally is usually as difficult as writing the novel itself.  This is what virtually all websites on this topic say.  If you are a budding author, this may already be your experience.

The best advice I’ve ever read on how to get your book published traditionally is from Andy Weir, author of “The Martian” and “The Hail Mary Project,” among other novels:

To get discovered, self-publish the book.

If it’s good, word will get around, and it will sell.

Publishers will then take an interest.

― Andy Weir

In other words, keep refining your fictional work until it’s so good the world can no longer dismiss it.

I’ve edited hundreds of other authors’ works.  Nearly always, when the young author believes the writing is ready, it's not even close to being good enough.  I believe the biggest reason for this is the following:

The author has not yet given sufficient cause for the

reader to visualize and feel what the author wants the

reader to visualize and feel.

I saw the following on Facebook recently:

Reading is staring at a

dead tree and hallucinating.

Inducing readers’ hallucinations is the most challenging part of writing fiction.  Yet it is the heart of the business.

One of your life’s dreams could be to receive the following phone call from a furious wife:

“You’ve ruined my husband!

All he does is sit around all day and read your stories.

He’s useless now.  I hate you.”

Until you receive that call, you must continue to improve your writing.  In the meantime, what can a literary agent or a publisher do for you?  You must first produce an excellent product that meets the needs of millions of readers.

Books are not written.  They are rewritten.

― Michael Crichton

As you learn more about writing, you can revisit your self-published novels on Amazon and refine them.  You may then reupload your improved stories to Amazon. All for free. Amazon does not charge the author for doing this.

Even after you catch the attention of a literary agent, you must resist thinking you’ve made the big time.  If you don’t believe me, see the following video from John Matthew Fox at least three times.  Once isn’t enough.  You must believe to your core that marketing, sales, and publication won’t bring you the success you want if your product isn’t good enough.

Nine Lies About

Self-Publishing

How to know when your story is good enough?

Ray Bradbury said he knew his stories were ready for publication when he couldn't change another word.  An adage I read years ago is, “A good short story with one extra word is a bad short story.”

Imagine your favorite pop star or musician on stage making a wrong note during a concert.  What would happen to Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, or Taylor Swift if they slipped up even once?

Your stories are no different.

“But nothing can be perfect,” you say.

What to do?

Get feedback on your stories from every person you can.  A source I often use is www.critters.org, where users submit sections of their stories (1,000 to 10,000 words) to other users worldwide, who then provide feedback.  I’ve done this many times and have received ten to twenty well-written critiques from other “Critters” (users) per submission.  All for free.  The catch is that you must do the same for other users on the site.

Fiverr (www.fiverr.com) offers a platform for individuals from around the world to provide detailed edits and reviews of entire novels for a range of prices from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

You can also take advantage of your extended family members.  It’s about time you got to know your aunts and uncles better. Aunt Betty is her name?

I’ve been asking my wife to find me a T-shirt that says the following: 

Believe it or not, this sort of thing attracts the attention of other writers who can help you. I was at a function years ago where a woman wore a shirt that said, "I'm only thinking about my book." Consequently, I read her book and gave her comments.

If all the people in your life told you they "liked" your story after reading it, then your story isn’t ready.  Whereas, if their reactions were more like the following, then you may be close:

“Oh, my gosh!  I had no idea you’re so good.”

“I’ve never read a story like this before.  I'm going to read it again.”

“Can I show this to Charise and Tina?  They’ll love it.  Please, please, say yes.”

“What do you do exactly?  Because you should be a writer.”

Look for the best writers’ groups in your area.  Seek every possible way to have your story read by the greatest number of people.  Then cherish and adore every word of criticism from these people who took the time to read your novel.  Lavish your critics with praise and appreciation for their generous and heartfelt efforts on your behalf.

I believe Andy Weir is correct.  When your story is good enough, it will become apparent to everyone, including potential literary agents, if that is the way you want to publish your story. I recommend that you consider seeking a literary agent only after your book has sold well on Amazon. At that point, you will find it much easier to land an agent who will fit your literary goals.