The Path to Getting Published
Or, How to get published by someone who never has been
This is my game plan based on the (limited) research I have done on the process. I do not pretend to be an expert. It should be noted that this list does not contain separate line items for continued work on the manuscript as that is assumed to be ongoing. That work includes but is not limited to: editing the manuscript, getting feedback from beta readers, then more editing. And maybe editing one more time.
Step 1: Start creating a following right away.
Publishers want to sell books. That means people will need to buy those books. Having an online presence will suggest to publishers (and agents) that your book has a ready-made audience. Mom, dad, and significant other are not enough. Your 600 facebook "friends" are not enough. Get active on social media and gather people into your fold. If people are willing to engage you online, they are more likely to go out and get your book once it's out. A giant bonus is that you will connect with lots of interesting people along the way and will end up building a community of fellow readers and writers at the same time.
As you build your online presence, it's worth taking into consideration the intended audience for your novel, and which social media platforms are most used by that demographic. For example, I'm writing a YA fantasy, so I'm focusing most of my efforts in this area on instagram and twitter, and not so much on facebook.
Step 2: Get some credentials.
Like most jobs, having some prior experience is a big plus. Obviously any writing you've had published will help build credibility. I have also heard that both publishers and agents like seeing English degrees and publishing experience. I don't have any of that, so I am starting from the ground up.
My strategy is to write some short stories I can shop around to literary magazines. Some publications will pay for submissions, others will only pay in free copies of the issue in which your story is featured. Online-only publications may pay you only in the joy of your name and bio at the end of the piece. At the end of the day, it's that line on your resume that's the most important part anyway.
Step 2.5: Frame your rejection slips.
They're a rite of passage. Don't let 'em get you down. Celebrate that you are making active steps toward your goals.
Step 3: Query Publishers (and maybe agents).
There are mixed opinions as to whether authors should first query agents or publishers with their debut manuscripts. Some people say that you need an agent because publishers won't accept unsolicited manuscripts. Others say that you don't need an agent until you're making enough money to steal. In the end, I suppose it's up to you which direction you go. I haven't decided yet, and I figure I still have some time since at the time of the writing of this post, my manuscript has never been seen by anyone but myself.
When the time comes to write a query letter, keep it professional. And short. The advice I've heard is no longer than a page. You want to make it easy for the reader. It would also be a good idea to use nice paper. Remember, this is your first impression.
You'll want to do a little research here as well. Not every agent represents every genre. Similarly, not every publishing house will publish every genre. Do your due diligence and learn to whom you should send your manuscript before you send it.
Side note: In On Writing, Stephen King warned against agents that offer to read your work for a fee. Some of these may be legitimate, but plenty are out to swindle aspiring young writers out of a few bucks without any real payoff.
Step 3.5: Celebrate more rejection slips.
Or put them on a nail sticking out of the wall. Fine, so that publisher wasn't interested. Submit again somewhere else. Keep at it, tiger. Your time is coming.
Step 4: Pop open the champagne.
Your time has come! Your book is getting published! Party like it's 1999. Or 2019. Or whatever year it is.