In the traditional publishing model, the publisher handles all the details of contract negotiation, editing, marketing, and selling books. However, publishers expect a lot for their services, (i.e.) a big percentage of author earnings, control over an author's content, and how authors manage their online presence to sell books on the market. Once publishers take over, authors don’t have much control. On the other hand, being published in the traditional manner tends to garner authors more respect and more opportunity to have their books reviewed in mainstream publications.

The alternative is to self-publish. Sometimes out of necessity (it's difficult to get published in the traditional model) and often out of a desire to have greater creative control over their content and marketing. They must handle all aspects of the publishing process including marketing, pricing, distribution, cover design, etc. Or authors may decide to hire a company to assist them.

Most self-publishing models are now predominantly e-book. Here are some prominent self-publishing companies:

• CreateSpace (Amazon): The juggernaut of self-publishing. Lots of visibility; lots of competition.

• Smashwords: Offers helpful e-book publishing videos.

• Blurb: Design, publish, and promote your book using their design and layout platform. Option to sell via Blurb, Amazon and elsewhere.

• NookPress: Barnes & Noble's e-book and print book publishing service. Write, edit, format your manuscript with no production costs.

• Bookbaby: Print, e-books, and print on demand. You buy the package that suits you best.

• Lulu: Create, publish, and sell your book. Pro services for a fee

• Wattpad: Stories and short fiction -  offers inline commenting by reads so you can discover what appeals or repels.

Finding Literary Agents and Publishers

Agents are important to authors as they can help you to edit your book, identify publishers, handle the logistics of selling the rights to your work, and negotiating contracts with publishers. Of course, it’s best to find the right literary agent for you. One strategy to do so is to compile a list of authors whose writing is like yours. You can identify the agents of those authors by looking in the acknowledgements page in their books. Or contact the publisher and look up their agents. 

Writer's Market: subscribe to the online edition of the Writer's Market ($40/year), or check out a copy of the book from the Buxton Library. The Writer's Market has the contact information for thousands of publishers and agents. It allows you to find publishers who cater to specific genres, when and how they prefer to receive manuscripts, tips on formatting manuscripts, writing query letters, and advice on getting published, help in contract negotiation and suggestions on how much to charge for your freelance work. It's the publishing bible for freelance writers. Also available in the library: Guide to Literary Agents, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market.

Writing Query Letters

Now that you have found some potential agents, you can begin to send out query letters. It's as important than your manuscript. You may wish to start out with 5-10 query letters. Remember, it's a long process to get noticed, so don't be discouraged if you don't hear back right away. Your query letter should be very concise, no more than one page. Typically a query letter consists of three sections: 1) Why you are contacting that agent specifically, 2) A brief attention-getting summary of your work, and 3) Some of your biographical details, including your writing experience.  Close with a statement on your interest in sending the agent a manuscript. Remember that legitimate agents will not request fees to look at your work. 

For sample letters, check this out:

"How to Write the Perfect Query Letter," from Writer's Digest

Handling Rejection

Learn to embrace yourself and to forgive when you receive a rejection. It's not a statement about YOU personally. Forgive those who reject you, and never send a nasty message to a would-be agent or publisher. They will never read you again. If you receive any feedback at all, besides the typical form letter, read the advice carefully and with grace. There may be an opportunity there to edit and re-submit.Thank agents for taking the time to read your work. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. If you're lucky enough to be asked to resubmit, be sure to send back a thorough revision with substantial edits. If they didn't accept your manuscript the first time, they won't the second time with minor edits. And you will erode any goodwill you have with that agent.