It’s exactly the same story every year: This year the novel will finally get published! This year could truly be it. Here is how to get a book published this year. Writing a book is hard enough, however getting it published with a legitimate publisher–large or small–is where the true challenge starts. Things you will need is a Word processor, printer, envelopes and postage.

In summary,

1. Complete the novel. It should go without saying, however the book should be completed just before publishers or agents would want to look at it, particularly if this is a first novel. I often recommend writing 600 to 1,200 words daily. With 800 words a day, seven days a week, a 70,000 word manuscript can be done in three months.

2. Edit, edit, edit. Then edit some more. This is where writer’s groups, workshops and specialized suggestions come in. A book is made or lost through the editing process. Published books won’t be simply edited for grammar and spelling, they’re furthermore edited for story content, character arcs and narrative structure. A fantastic editor can mean the distinction between a published book and a stack of papers accumulating dirt in a desk drawer.

3. Find an agent or even publisher. This is where literature like Writer’s Market and Literary Marketplace come in. Do a little research. Which published books are exactly like the one just completed? Who publishes that kind of book? Make a list of agents as well as publishers who might be interested in the book.

4. Query properly. Many agents and publishers have submission regulations on their website and publishing instructions like Writers Market. Follow the guidelines exactly. Not following guidelines is the best route to the trash.

5. Wait. Yes, wait. Do much more research and keep writing while waiting around. If the agent or publisher does not reply, follow up after a few weeks before moving on to query others.

Learn more about how to get a novel published. Stop by Zoe Carr’s site at http://firsttimeauthors.org where you can find MUST READ tips for new authors.