As a published author, associate literary agent, and developmental editor, I often hear, “I have an idea for a book, I just don’t know where to start.”

And I get it. I’ve been there. You don’t know what you don’t know. So in this post, I’m going to lay out a framework any hopeful author can use as a starting point.

This framework won’t work for everyone. It’s only “A” framework. If you asked 100 authors to describe their paths to publication you’d likely get 100 different responses. I’ve known authors who got publishing deals on TikTok and never queried an agent, and others who queried for years before seeing their book on bookshelves.

But, hopefully these tips get you motivated and excited to get the ball rolling toward your book deal!

Things to Consider Before Writing

It is totally okay to skip these steps and write the book first. However, these steps will help streamline the the process as you may likely have to go back and reverse engineer. I knew NOTHING before I wrote my young adult debut. So I spent several years going backward to fix problems I didn’t know existed.

Read Recent Titles in the Genre and Age Range You Plan to Write

This may be one the most important first steps. Reading recent titles in the genre and age range you plan to write can serve as a blueprint for how to write your story. Most genres follow similar structures and story beats. You’ll likely discover through reading several books which POV (point of view) you’d like to use in your story. It also will help you narrow down the comparable titles early on that you’ll need to have before you start pitching your book to agents and publishers. If you don’t believe me, you can trust the guy I quoted at the end of this article.

Research Your Age Range and Genre

Research your age range and genre to discover industry standards for word count, standard story structure, etc. For example, the industry standard word count for YA Romance will be different for an adult Epic Fantasy. And while yes, taking risks can often lead to great reward, I encourage debut authors to stick to more conventional expectations for your age range and genre for the best possible outcomes. Once you’ve established you can write books that sell, agents and editors may be more likely to take a creative risk with you.

If you have an idea and you’re super excited to get started, don’t let this phase hold you back too much. A lot can be done during the writing process and now let’s talk about that.

Things to Consider During Writing

Build a Writing Community

Many emerging authors believe writing is a solitary pursuit. And while butt in chair must happen for words to get on a page, a writing community will help you know what else to do. My writing community is what led to my publishing deal. Meeting people within the writing community online via social media and writing groups can led to connections you don’t have. And there is nothing better than having a community who supports you through the ups and downs of your publishing journey.

Find Critique Partners

Your writing community will likely consist of a large group of people perhaps in online writing groups who share resources and support. But critique partners are those handful of authors who get you and who you get. Maybe you write in the same age-range or genre, however this isn’t a requirement. Your CPs will become your writing besties. You’ll swap pages back and forth. You’ll lean on each other through the emotional side of writing. These are people who give honest feedback, but treat your work with dignity and respect. These are the people you not only jive with as writers, but also as people. These are the writing besties you plan retreats with and chat with on the regular. These are the people who you are the wind beneath their wings, and they are the wind beneath yours. My CPs may have started as that, but we are now close friends through writing and beyond.

Study the Craft of Writing

Yes, everyone knows how to write words. And yes, you can write an entire book without ever studying the craft, but should you? That’s up to you. Many authors start off knowing little about the craft of writing and write their first book while learning through critique partners and in revision. But there are things that can help the initial writing process which will in follow-up make revision much easier.

• Read craft books about writing in general and in your genre.
• Listen to writing podcasts.
• Watch YouTube videos on writing craft.
• Attend writing conferences and take writing courses.
• Join professional writing organizations.

In the early phases of my writing journey, daily I consumed experts knowledge on craft. And even today, at least weekly I strive to learn something new.

Things to Consider After Writing

Take a Break

You wrote a book—go celebrate! Then shelve it and take a break! It’s best to give yourself a few weeks or months so when you finally return to your manuscript to revise, you have fresh eyes.

Find Alpha Readers

Alpha readers are early readers who read your first or second draft and provide big picture feedback such as structure, plot, pacing, character development. They focus on the overall general feel such as did the story make sense, were there sections that lagged, were any scenes confusing. Alpha readers should be people who understand the elements of good storytelling and who are committed to delivering honest feedback.

Create a Revision Process That Works For You

After you’ve gotten all the feedback from your Alphas and implemented what felt authentic to your manuscript, it’s time to develop your revision process. Some authors like to do a pass for developmental edits such as does the story have plot holes or incomplete character arcs (Good Alpha Readers likely found these.) Some authors do a dialogue pass to make sure it sounds realistic, isn’t full of exposition, and that tags and action beats are clear. Some authors do a pass to catch repetitive word and phrases. Some authors do a pass for line-level edits such as telling versus showing and swapping weak verbs for stronger. It’s just what works for you.

Find Beta Readers

Beta readers are readers who will read your story after you’ve implemented any alpha reader feedback and taken the story as far as you feel you can take it yourself. Beta readers don’t need to necessarily need to understand the high level concepts expected of an alpha reader, but rather read your book as a reader and provide their own feedback.

For both Alpha and Beta readers you can search online for questionnaires to help guide their feedback or make up your own for the specific items you are curious about in your manuscript.

Start researching agents and/or publishers that are seeking what you wrote.

Before you cast that net wide and query every agent or publisher you can find an email for, hit that pause button, and here’s why.

To Pursue a Literary Agent

Most literary agents only represent certain age ranges or genres. Typically, agents will have a manuscript wish list on their agency website, Twitter account, or a manuscript wish list website. It’s a waste of your time and theirs to query agents who aren’t looking for what you wrote. So search for ones who do and start making a list. Know that if an agent offers representation this isn’t a publication guarantee. But it does mean that your agent will now be able to send your manuscript to editors at publishing houses that only accept agented manuscripts. Also, be sure to follow their submission guidelines to be sure your query lands in their correct inbox!

To Pursue an Independant Publisher Who Accepts Un-agented Manuscripts

Some smaller independent presses accept un-agented manuscripts, This is often a great option for debuts or writers who don’t have another project in mind. And while these publishers will also accept agented manuscripts who can negotiate a contract on your behalf. there’s also something to be said for not having to split any advances or royalties.

To Pursue Self or Hybrid Publishing

Additionally, there are multiple other paths to publication. Some authors choose to do everything on their own and upload to Amazon. While this is certainly an option, hiring freelance editors, layout designers, and cover artists can get costly. You also have no one on your team helping promote your work or to turn to as a publishing partner.

You can also chose to hire a publisher who offers anything from initial concept to publication to marketing, often these are a la carte services that can also get very expensive.

I encourage authors to steer clear, at least initially, of paying someone to publish your work. If you’ve written a great book and done all the work to polish it near perfection why not go for a traditional deal first? Self-publishing will always be an option.

Do Your Due Diligence

Whichever path you choose, do your due diligence. Anyone who offers to represent you as an author or publish your work, research them, ask for client referrals, etc. You can also check out Writer’s Beware and search for actors in the publishing world you may want to steer clear of.

Write a Query and Synopsis

A query is a one page document that includes very specific items meant to entice an agent or publisher to want to read your work. A synopsis is a one page document that tells what happens in your story succinctly including spoilers. Here is a link to Polishing Your Submission Packet where I break both down a video of a presentation I did where I break down the whole process.

Things to Consider While Querying

Start something else.

And it doesn’t have to be another novel just yet. But keep the creative juices flowing. Build an author website. Yes, you’re already an author the moment you type The End. You have words of wisdom to share with other authors so start a writing blog on your website.

Tinker with the idea of writing a short story for an anthology or writing a piece of flash fiction for a writing competition.

Curiosity Never Killed the Writer, The Writer’s Workout, and Wild Ink Publishing are great places to visit for opportunities like these. The best part, you might wind up with a publishing credit or two you can use in your query bio!

Don’t let passes get you down.

Honestly, every pass means you’re putting yourself out there. It’s vulnerable and it’s brave. Consider each pass one step closer to a yes!

In Conclusion

Again, all of these are only suggestions. Take what feels authentic to you as a human and as a writer. But I promise you, these tips can only help improve your chances of crossing that finish line faster. And trust me when I say I’m cheering you along the whole way!

You got this!

If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.

Stephen King