I get queries from writers about how to go about getting published, so I decided to write a blog post I could point them to rather than reinventing the wheel and writing it all out again every time. So, with the proviso that I have not, yet, managed to attain the potential nirvana of being traditionally published, here's what I know, in FAQ format.
What's the difference between an editor and a publisher? Sometimes people aren't clear on the difference between editors and publishers. An editor will help your writing be as good as it can be. (That's what I do.) A publisher will publish your book (if they like you enough). Publishers do employ editors, either in-house or subcontracted, as well as cover artists, typesetters, printers, and PR and marketing people, to produce the book and get it into bookshops. But editors are not publishers.
How do I get traditionally published?
You can go direct to the publisher or you can get an agent, who will try to negotiate a great deal for you with a publisher and will take a percentage of your earnings. You don't have to pay an agent anything up front - so if they don't get you a deal, you don't pay them a cent.
So, can I go direct to the publisher? It depends. It depends on where you are and what you're writing.
If you're in Ireland, the publishing houses are small enough that you can generally submit directly to them - just check their websites for submissions information. You can also go to a bookshop and see who publishes books in your genre, to get an idea of where to start. (The publisher's location is always inside the front of the book, on the copyright page.) If you're writing nonfiction you probably only need a chapter outline and a proposal, and maybe the first chapter to submit. For fiction (adult or children's), you need to have a finished book ready, as polished as you can make it, before you consider submitting. (If you've written a children's book that needs illustrations, a publisher can hook you up with an illustrator, so that doesn't count. The text needs to be done, though.)
And if I'm looking for an agent?
The term you want to google is "literary agents" and wherever you are. Though many of the big agencies are global, and many UK agencies will deal with Irish clients, so location isn't all that important. You can also buy a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, but honestly the information is all available online and it can go out of date so quickly, that seems pointless.
What's a query letter and how do I write one?
Any submission request will require, at the very least, a query letter. This is where you introduce yourself and tell the publisher or agent briefly what your book is about and how great it is.
There's lots of excellent information about how to write a great query letter online. Google is your friend. Pay attention to what the various different submission requirements are, submit what you're asked for, double-check that you've addressed it to the right person, and excise all spelling errors.
What if they say no? Will they give me feedback?
They might say no. They probably won't give you feedback beyond "not right for us at this time". Don't get downhearted. Make a spreadsheet to keep track of what you've done, and keep submitting. Some agencies let you submit to multiple agents and some don't. Rejection is part of the job.
What if I want to self publish? I've self-published some of my own books, but that's not a full service I offer for others at a professional level. If you want me to edit your book and are planning to self-publish it, I can help you find other people who will provide the other services you need. Don't go with any of the big companies who advertise to you and want you to pay a fee in order to publish your book. You can self-publish for free with KDP (Amazon), or Ingram Spark, or other places - you just need to have all your files in order and looking as professional as possible, which will probably involve sourcing and paying a few different people (editing, proof-reading, cover design, typesetting).
Self-publishing may be right for you if you just want to see your book in print and you don't have any illusions about being the next best-selling author. Most self-published books won't reach a wide audience, though you might be able to get yours into your local independent bookshop and can sell them at local book festivals and the like, as well as strong-arming all your friends and relations into buying them. If you have a big online following already and/or are prepared to put lots of work into PR and marketing, self-publishing could even make you some money. But most self-published books are not going to go far.
Can I self-publish my book and also submit it to publishers and agents? Probably not. There are some instances of a self-published author going on to get a great deal, where a publishing company re-issues the book, but it's very unusual. Especially if this is the only book you're going to write, a publishing company isn't going to pick that up. So you need to accept that once you self-publish you're probably closing the door on that book (and any sequels to it) for traditional publishing.
So can you edit my book? What sort of editing do I need?
If you'd like to get your book copy-edited before you submit it to publishers or agents, or before you self-publish, that's a great idea and I can definitely help you. Here's some information on the different types of editing: https://www.afepi-ireland.com/faq/, or you can send me a sample and I'll let you know what level of editing your book is ready for.
I've written my book but I don't know if it's any good. Can I send it to you? Should I just go ahead and submit to publishers and agents? First, get yourself some free readers. Join a writers group and swap critiques of your writing. Ask trusted friends and family to read it and tell you (honestly but kindly) what they think. Don't forget to run spellcheck before you send it anywhere, and don't just accept everything the spelling checker tells you without reading it. Also, just giving your own writing some time and space is a great way to get your perspective back. Wait a while and then go back to it - it will be easier to see the wood for the trees.
After all that, I'll be happy to chat with you and take a look at a sample and see what I can do to help you. Keep writing!