Want your work published? Here is how

Every time I tell people I am an editor, quite a few of them ask me how they can get their work published. When they do, I ask them if they are writers – I assume such questions come from those who have not published before − and in most cases, they answer is in the affirmative. Then I ask what they have written and, usually, they say they are in the process of writing this and that, or plan to write.

For starters, therefore, none of the publishers is looking for people who are in the process of writing, or those who are planning to write. To be published, you must be a practicing writer; your work must be ready for evaluation. Publishers are always on the look out for writers who are better than the ones they have already engaged. If they are unable to get any, they end up using the ones they know, who, in most cases, are quite good.

I always tell authors that lawyers practice law and writers write, whether they will be published or not. The art of writing develops with time; one becomes better from practice and that is why it is important to write often. Unfortunately, many of our budding writers can only remember the great composition they wrote in school or that article they wrote in the college magazine that had people clapping, many years ago. Others consider the popular posts on Facebook as a benchmark of great writing and they get quite surprised when an editor rejects their work.

Having written a great composition or having many ‘likes’ for a post on Facebook, is an indicator of creativity but it is not in itself a rubber stamp to being an amazing writer. In most cases, the people who like your posts on Facebook are your friends hence they may not tell you the truth, especially if your work is bad.

At the same time, they are not qualified enough to judge good writing. Compositions in school may not be a good benchmark for creative writing because you are no longer competing with your classmates, but seasoned extremely talented writers. Editors, most of the times, are directed by quality and not feeling, because what they pass reflects on the image of the publisher hence, they can’t afford to mess around.

One of the things editors don’t take kindly is errors splashed all over your work – certainly this is unacceptable. This should not be misconstrued to mean that editors are perfect. However, you have to remember that you are not the only one sending in a manuscript. Editors work with deadlines hence, are always pressed for time.

Therefore, they would like work they can edit, not rewrite! Many writers usually ask typists in cyber cafes to type their work. Sadly, many of them do not proofread the typed work, which unfortunately, is never what they had on paper. The typists leave out some words, misspell others and at times, leave out whole sentences; this messes up the work. When you have finished writing, read through and then try to get someone, independent, to read through and also proofread your work - someone who can give you an honest opinion.

Errors in a script misrepresent the author’s intention, yet mastery of language is vital for delivery of the intended message. As you might have noticed, many established writers have a way with language. They use words in a new way that they create interesting phrases that make readers see, feel, touch, smell, taste and hear what they are saying. I have to warn you here though, do not try to write like other writers; be different and better – it is possible.

The folly of writing like others is that you will not gain readership; people know where to get the work of the authors you are copying, if they want to. Imagine you are telling your friends a story, do you usually do it like anyone else? I don’t think so. I must hasten to add that being verbose or using hard and/or big words will not help your writing cause. Readers would like to carry your book around and read when they have a chance not to carry your book and a voluminous dictionary from where they can search for meanings of your hard words.

Before submitting your work for consideration, read the submission guidelines. Usually, publishers will state − on their websites – what they require of their prospective authors. Follow these instructions to the latter. Some will ask for a query letter, which is a one-page pitch letter that gives a brief description of your work. They will also require a synopsis − a brief summary − of your story, from beginning to end. In most cases, publishers ask for sample chapters. When sending sample chapters from your novel, always include the first chapter of the manuscript. This chapter should have an attention-capturing beginning.

Lastly, send your work to the publisher and remember to create linkages. While at it, try to establish a relationship with your editor so that in case he or she rejects your work, they may explain why they took such a step apart from sending you that unholy 'your-work-is-rejected', email. Do not antagonise your editor. This is a symbiotic relationship and you stand to gain more if you are patient and will listen to constructive criticism. Above all never, give up and keep on writing.