Publish Your Novel on the First Try

Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side of John Grisham. It stops many writers in their tracks and often leads them to a new line of work. If your one of the millions of Americans who have a passion for writing and dream of seeing your novel on the shelves of Barnes & Noble and Borders Books, don't let fear of Rejection scare you off. Follow this simple formula, and you can publish your novel on the very first try.

The secret to getting published is both simple and complex. The simple part is two-pronged. First, you need a modicum of writing skill. Now, you don't have to be William Shakespeare, but you do need to know how to put sentences together, while tossing in a few nifty adjectives on occasion.

The second prong of the simple part of the secret to publishing on your first try is undeniable persistence and work ethic. Most writers fail, because they are defeated by the plague of rejection; they don't have the necessary work ethic to succeed, even if they have the skill and the idea. Oh, speaking of the idea, this is the complex part of the simple formula to being published on your first try.

You don't need the amazing characters of an S.E. Hinton or the grace of Ernest Hemingway. What will get you published is a unique plot that appeals to a large audience. Let's face it, publishers are in the business of making money -- not authors. In most cases, publishers don't care how popular you become or if your work becomes the next Oscar winning movie (unless they have a piece of the pie). What they do care about is lots of sales. If you don't have name value, which you don't until you become a selling author, publishers want ideas that attract a large audience.

Take my first-ever novel, The League, for which I received a publishing contract the first month I began sending it to agents and publishers. Is it because it's the next Tom Sawyer? No, rather, it is because of the unique nature of the plot. The League is suspense with a back drop of fantasy football. It is the first of its kind, and fantasy football has over 15 million participants in America alone.

Now, I was turned down by at least 50 agents and probably 40 publishers. But I didn't let rejection defeat me, because I knew I had a remarkably unique story that would appeal to a gigantic audience. In fact, this is exactly what my publisher said when he contacted me. He told me my writing was clean and the idea was incredibly unique. So, get yourself an amazing idea. Put it together neatly and clearly. Make it fast-paced, and send it to as many agents and publishers as possible. The electronic age makes it very easy to do.

Learn more about the process and The League at www.sportsnovels.com.

Mark Barnes has published several how-to books on real estate finance, Internet business, and self-publishing. Recently, he has expanded his horizons into the fiction world, with his suspense-thriller, The League, presented by DNA Press. The League is available at Amazon.com, DNA Press, Sportsnovels.com and will be in book stores this summer. Mark is currently working on his second novel, another sports-related suspense thriller. Mark Barnes resides in a suburb of Cleveland with his wife, Mollie and two small children.

---

Help! I Cant Write!

Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More

Childrens Stories - The Essentials

There is no specific formula for children's fiction. There are,... Read More

Retail Margin, Trade Discount, and What it Means for the Author

DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More

Should I Keep Writing?

Writers are an insecure lot.It's easy to understand why. You... Read More

How You Can Take Advantage of the Increasing Demand for Freelance Online Writers

The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More

Writing Personal Statements - Top Tips

WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITYHOW DO... Read More

Freelance or Staff

There is no doubt that a staff writer enjoys advantages... Read More

How To Avoid Viewpoint Slips

Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be... Read More

How to Break In and Succeed as a Screenwriter

Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a... Read More

Time to Write

SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?Many people have entertained... Read More

In Your Own Words

More Tips For New Writers (Part I)Explain in your own... Read More

Five Golden Rules for Writers

Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how... Read More

Making Better Word Choices ? 4 Examples

Choosing the wrong words can have a poor effect on... Read More

A Writers Tools

If you are like most writers, you're constantly searching for... Read More

Writers Block - Melting the Ice

What does one do as a writer who loves writing... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Write a Book That Sells

Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More

Writing Is Not Life-threatening

Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More

The Writer and the Web

If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More

Becoming the Total Package

Being a great writer is no longer enough if you... Read More

Writing - Copyrights and Trademarks Protect You

When most people consider writing a book, they don't think... Read More

Writers Turn to the Internet for Support, Friendship and Advice

Riding on the fumes of potential, you take pen to... Read More

Self-Examination

Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More

The Hard Facts About Editing

Whether you're interviewing for a new job, trying to woo... Read More

A Series of Articles on Autobiography

ESSAYS ON AUTOBIOGRAPHY: NUMBER 1Preamble:Nearly seven years ago I wrote... Read More

Greatness

[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More

5 Reasons People Like Technology White Papers

A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More

Starting a Local Writers Group

My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More

Writing Query Letters

A QUERY LETTER is written to an editor or agent... Read More

How to Relax Your Writing

Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More

The Three Cs of Writing an Excellent all Purpose Headline

Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More

The Untold Secrets of Writing Best Selling Childrens Books

Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More

Ten Tips to Help You Finish Writing Your Novel

1. Set aside a time to write and keep it... Read More

7 Weapons to Conquer the Giant Procrastination Keeping You from Your Book Dream

Have you been guilty of procrastinating on your book project,... Read More