The Formula for Fiction – Part 2: What Now?
The Next Step to Getting Published
Part Two takes you through the next step in the process of getting your manuscript to the reader. Whatever method of publication you choose for your novel this ebook will explain the basics for success. The first part, THE FORMULA For Writing Fiction That Publishers Will Like, is a master recipe, a step by step program for the development of a work of publishable fiction … any work of fiction, whether your story is a western, a murder mystery, a romance or even science fiction thriller. The writer supplies the words and the FORMULA does the rest! Part Two takes up the process after those magic words “THE END” are written.
By Bill Sheehy
Copyright 2011 Bill Sheehy
Smashwords Edition
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this ebook. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Okay, you’ve reached the final page of your novel, proudly typed in those magic words; THE END, and gave yourself a pat on the back. Of course you religiously followed THE FORMULA For Writing Fiction That Publishers Will Like in producing your novel. So you know you’ve got a sure fire best seller. You’ve got a right to be proud of yourself; you’ve done something many, many others have only dreamt of doing.
Have you ever heard someone say “Ah, yes, I could write a novel about my life.” Or, better yet, know someone who has started to write only to discover how hard it actually is to write a story and gave up? The numbers are legion. You are one in a thousand ... you’ve written a novel. Good on you. Go get a cup of tea, a glass of wine or an ounce or two of something stronger. Be proud, you’ve succeeded where most fail. (the sound of applause rings out!)
Now what?
There it is, sitting there in your computer, ready to be born ... to be read! To be enjoyed! Maybe even to make you rich! Wow! {Words of Wisdom: Books are about as likely to lead to riches as casinos, lottery tickets, and staring at the sky and waiting for a million dollars to spontaneously land on your head.}
But the question remains: Now what do I do?
Don’t get discouraged when I tell you that now the hard work really begins.
You struggled, squeezing every word out, even fighting at times with your characters trying to get them to do what you want. You’ve sweat, cried, screamed and maybe even kicked the cat. But with THE END in place you realize it was all worth it.
Then someone like me comes along and tells you that the struggle to get your story read is just beginning. And as you’ll soon learn, a major struggle it is.
Let’s get serious about it. The first thing is for you to understand what you’ve produced ... not as a novel but as a product. To you and your spouse, your mother and possibly your grandmother it is a novel but when it comes to the next step in the process of getting it on the book shelves it is a product.
There are a number of things you’ll have to accomplish in order to see your name on the cover, your book on the library shelf and royalty checks in the mail box. That is what this saga is about ... the next step in getting published.
Much of the information in this, the second part of THE FORMULA ... can be found elsewhere. No question, the internet is a wondrous depository of knowledge. But is it all necessary? What elements can you ignore? Which components are vital and how is the best way to use other sections? That is why you have this in your hands; Part Two of THE FORMULA... is a guide. Based on experience, it is a path that cuts out the unnecessary.