What should I do to try to publish my novel I wrote?

Oh for the love, Jepchamp. Sometimes you seem intelligent and well-informed, others you come across like a blithering idiot. Like now for example. Self-publishing is an option and IS considered being published. Sure there are no gatekeepers and any moron can publish their work, but ultimately the market will determine whether it's worth buying.

Asker: First off, stop leaving defensive comments about how Animal Farm and Night (both between 100-130 pages) were published. The difference between you, Orwell and Wiesel is that they were brilliant writers who proved themselves. You have not. Wiesel also experienced something horrific while in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. His story alone is something worth reading.

My advice would be to ensure your novel (however long it is) is thoroughly edited and polished. Once done with that, look into The Writer's Market as well as Amazon KDP. While you're at it, keep in mind that getting published, whether traditionally or through self-publishing, is no easy task. Also keep in mind that being published is not the be all and end all to being a writer. Be smart and do your research. Failing to do so will not work in your favor.

1. did you finish a first draft and think it's good to go, or did you do many rewrites to fix the issues in any story? No first draft is publishable, not even from a seasoned author.

2. did you attempt to get an agent? Did you do any research into which publishing company would be interested in your theme? Many companies only publish certain types of fiction. It is unprofessional to submit a manuscript to one who only publishes non-fiction if your story is about a vampire, for instance. It wastes their time and shows you did not do the work to check in the first place.

3. it just barely qualifies as a novel with that word count. If you are required to cut some of the story to fix it, does that put it now in the category of Novella instead of Novel?

4. where you live means nothing, and your age isn't a concern either.

First of all you need to edit and, if you can, get a critique group to give you honest feedback. Wattpad, friends and family are no good - they're more likely to be biased and tell you what they think you want to hear ("this is a brilliant story!" etc.) Don't submit your story if you've only just finished and haven't had any feedback at all.

Your best bet after you've edited would be to buy/rent a copy of Writer's Handbook. You'll find a good list of agents, and they're the guys you'll need to submit to in the first instance. You'll need to send them a query letter and whatever else is specified in their details. Remember to pay close attention to the genre and book-length they are after - don't submit your 42,000 story to someone who has said that they only accept novels.

You could also look into publishing on Amazon KDP. As with traditional publishers, it won't cost you anything. They earn when you earn, and they offer quite a good royalty rate. Very worthwhile if you know how to market your own novel. Keep all of the editing rules in mind though - some people, for whatever reason, assume that a self-published novel shouldn't be edited as heavily as one traditionally published. Just ensure you are putting in the effort.

42,000 words is short for a novel. That may count against you.

You could upload it to Amazon Kindle, and see what reader response you ll get.

Assuming you ve revised and proofread it to the max, and that you have your 3rd or subsequent draft in front of you, I ll suggest that you check the Ottawa Public Library for "Writers Market" and "Canadian Writers Market" and ask the librarian what writer s critique groups are in the area, or if the library sponsors a writer in residence program. Also check the recent books on creative writing (Dewey 808). Some of them discuss how to sell your book. And check for the periodical "Writer s Digest".

Some publisher don t accept unsolicited manuscripts, so you ll need to convince a literary agent your book has selling power.

Breaking and entering : a guide to finding an agent, selling a manuscript, and other mysteries of publishing

2nd ed.

Contributors: Swanson, Denise.

Year/Format: 2004, Book , ix, 115 p.

Subjects:

Authors and publishers.

Books--Marketing.

Publishers and publishing.

070.5 BRE

These are not things to consider. They don't matter. You can research (Writers Guide) how to submit this to publishers, but I am telling you, the odds are against you--if you want to be "really" published. If you're just dying to see your work in print, then go the self-publishing route.

Amazon is my answer.