Mark Shaw's Top 10 Publishing Tips

  1. If you want to be traditionally published, write a story you are passionate about, and one that is marketable.
  2. Great Book Idea + Great Writing + Savvy Publishing Strategies = Optimization to Be Traditionally Published
  3. There is no one right way to tell a story, but there is a best way.
  4. Preparing a book outline is a blueprint for success.
  5. Market the query letter and book proposal, not the book manuscript.
  6. Create a query letter and book proposal next to none.
  7. Search for literaty agents through Association of Authors' Representatives and Publishers Lunch.
  8. Consider publishing alternatives - traditional, traditional self publishing, and e-books, but beware of subsidy publishers.
  9. Remember - rejection is not a part of the writer's vocabulary.
  10. Keep the faith. It only takes one literary agent or publisher to say "Yes."


Page editor: Black Sox
Page update: 6/10/2011