You’ve just finished writing your novel. You spent a long time researching and writing your book, and now you feel like you can finally breathe. You submitted your manuscript to an agent or publisher and waited for the feedback. While they were reading your work, you eagerly checked the status updates on your manuscript online. Then, finally, you heard back from them. The letter you’d been waiting for since the beginning arrived. Your work was accepted!
What will you do now? Where will you go from here? How will you know if your novel is any good? There are a lot of questions and concerns that go through your head as you start your new journey. Here are some advice and tips from experts on how to successfully write and publish your novel. We hope they’ll help you on your journey. Happy writing!
Start A Blog
A blog is a website that contains content – in the form of articles, images, or videos – that are often updated regularly and attractively presented.
A blog is a flexible and effective way to build your presence online because it provides a steady stream of content to audiences who are actively searching for what you have to offer. Your blog can cover any subject you choose, and you can use it to establish yourself as an expert in your field. If you have a specific theme for your blog — related to your novel, maybe? — then you can use your blog to gradually introduce the concept of your novel to potential readers.
Join A Society
Join a society of writers or artists and meet regularly with your fellow group members to discuss your work and progress. Being part of a writing or art group can be immensely helpful because it’ll give you the support and encouragement you need to keep going. You can also ask members for advice about various aspects of writing or publishing.
There are several societies designed specifically for writers who are just starting out. For example, the New York City Literary Lions invite emerging and established authors to join their club and provide advice on writing and publishing. The Literary Club in London provides an environment where writers can come together to support and encourage each other.
Attend Literary Fairs & Festivals
The best way to find an agent or publisher is by attending literary fairs and festivals. These are events where authors and publishers can come together and display their work for potential customers. The larger the event, the more authors will be there to show off their books and pitch them to potential buyers. The more attendees you have, the greater the chance of finding a publisher or agent. So, if you can, go to as many of these events as possible. You’ll meet a lot of people who can help you on your journey, and it’ll be fun.
Don’t Forget Promotion
After you’ve published your book, you’ll need to promote it to make sure others learn about your work and decide to read it. There are several aspects to effectively promoting your book, but, at a minimum, you need to do the following:
- Create a good cover for your book;
- Write a blurb for your book;
- Find a biographer or historian to write an accurate and comprehensive life story about you;
- Set up a website to spread the word about your book;
- Get on social media and tell your story to the world;
- And don’t forget to update your contact details (email and mailing address) on your website.
If you’ve prepared well for the task, writing a novel can be a very satisfying experience. You’ll feel excited and a bit anxious about sharing your work with the world, but, once it’s done, you can’t put it down. Writing a novel is a great way to learn, and you’ll soon realize how much you’ve gained from the process. Good luck out there!