While most of my ghostwriting and rewriting clients self-publish, some go the traditional publishing route. This is definitely commendable, but it does require patience and tenacity.
If you have a story you believe in and want to go the traditional route, then dig your heels in, roll up your sleeves, and start submitting.
Keep in mind, you don’t have to submit to publishers only; you can submit to agents also. Whoever you’re submitting to, just be sure to read their guidelines carefully and adhere to them as if your life depends on it. Give your manuscript every chance it deserves. You don’t want an acquisitions editor to immediately dismiss your manuscript because the query letter or cover letter isn’t in line with the guidelines. At the very least, you want to get your manuscript in the door and read.
Another thing to remember is that it’s not uncommon at all for an author to receive well over a hundred rejections before the story finds a home. I always use Chicken Soup for the Soul as an example because it’s stuck in my brain. The authors were rejected 144 times before getting a contract!
Think about that. One hundred and forty-four times! That’s a lot of rejections. If they had stopped at 143… well, you get it.
And it could be that your manuscript won’t be acknowledged until 160, 170, or more submissions.
That contract could be down a very long winding road, but you never know when it’s just around that turn. If you don’t submit, you’ll never know. If you don’t persevere, you’ll never know.
Once you have your finished manuscript, do the research. Find publishers and agents who handle your genre. Find out how to write an effective query letter. Then submit, submit, submit…
You’ll also want to attend in-person writing conferences, if it’s feasible. I had a middle-grade story client who got 10 out of 14 bites at a conference in New York. Strong enough bites that she was asked to send chapters of the book.
While there are no guarantees of a publishing contract, again, you just never know. Go for it and keep going until you get it.
Storytelling vs. Writing a Story
6 Tips to What Makes a Good Story?
Submitting Your Manuscript – 8 Tips
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, book doctor, editor, and self-publisher. I help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to call your own—and provide hands-on guidance through every step of the self-publishing process.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.
PICTURE BOOK and CHAPTER BOOK COACHING
Four to twelve-week coaching programs.
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.
You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
