Are you ready?

This week, we’ve finished our manuscripts. We’ve edited, multiple times, we’ve proofread, we’ve sent our work to a friend to have it checked by a second set of eyes, and we’ve edited it yet again.

Our manuscript, therefore, is ready.

We’re ready.

Aren’t we?

Well, let’s see.

Step 3:

Are You Publish Ready?

For today, I’ve put together a short list of things I want you to make sure you’ve done, before we even work on getting the thing to a publisher. These are all things you need to do, all things you need to have ready, and if you’re not there yet, then your work isn’t ready to leave your hands. Trust me. I did it the other way, and regretted it.

Okay, so let’s get started.

Have you fixed your plotholes?

If you haven’t done this yet, then you’re not done editing. Go back and do that.

Have you edited, at least three times?

If you’re only at two edits, then you’re not ready yet. Go back and edit again. 

Have you proofread?

Trust me, if you haven’t proofed it, nobody wants to read it. If you haven’t done this, go do it now. And if you can't do it yourself, then get someone to do it for you.

Has someone else read your manuscript?

If you’re still too shy to send it to someone, then you’re definitely not ready. Go send it to someone, and see what they think.

Have you written your short and long descriptions?

If you’re not done with these, then you don’t have information every publisher will ask you for. Go write those. I recommend starting with the long one, and then shortening it.

Can you describe your book, to anyone who asks?

If you can’t do this, then you don’t know your book well enough. If you have your short and long descriptions done, this’ll be easier for you to memorize. You need to be a walking promo for your book.

Do you know what genre you fit into?

Honey, you need to know at least three genres your book fits into. You’ll need it, down the line. The basic genre, the narrow genre, and the outlying genre. If you're book doesn't fit into three, that's okay. I've just found that all mine do.

Have you written your bio?

Like your book description, go ahead and write a short one and a long one. A detailed one and one to go on the back of the book. Publishers like that.

Have you written a proposal?

Some companies only accept proposals. Have you written one? It’s also a good way to get to know your work, better than you already do.

Have you researched books similar to yours?

This isn’t as easy as you might think, but go to Goodreads and see what you can find. Check reviews. Maybe even read a couple of them. See how they’re doing. Publishers like you know that you’ve done this, too. 

Do you know what publisher you want?

If you don’t, don’t worry about it. Take a deep breath. This is what we’re going to be working on, the rest of the month. I’m here. I’ve got your back. Let’s get you published, shall we?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[love]

{Rani Divine}