Process # 1

The Product

1. Finish work*
2. Create log line
3. Write synopsis/ query

*	a) revise b) revise c) revise

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN
THE BOOK IS FINISHED?

• When I, as the reader, have a sense of closure
• When words, images, voice and tone are the best possible
• When nothing needs to be added, nothing taken away
• When there are no redundancies except for deliberate ones, e.g., codas
• When spelling, syntax, grammar, are correct

When, to the best of my ability, MY VISION IS REALIZED

Now That You've Done all This, Have a Chocolate Bar, a Cup of Tea, or a Bottle of Champagne. Then sit down to work on your

NEXT BOOK !

Process # 2

Getting It Out There

1. Answer these questions:
• What books are like mine?
• How is mine different?
• Who is my reader?
• How can I help promote it?
  
2. Brainstorm contacts -- acquaintances from lit conferences, writing groups, et al
   
3. Research agents:
• read acknowledgments of like books
• research, e.g., The Literary Marketplace (at the library; any of the numerous books sold at book stores
• Ask colleagues
• And Google, Google, Google!
  
4. Contact agents
• Through e-mail if okay with agent in question
• Send exactly what agent requests
• Keep query letter & synopsis short, succinct, and accurate; (no bragging, please, and nothing cutesy)
• Enclose a SASE
• Write to thank agents when they've taken the time to consider your work
• Offer an exclusive period of time to consider your book, if they show interest, e.g. six weeks, (during which you agree not to market it elsewhere).
• Consider a Postal Blitz,* in which you mail out to many agents at once, as per directions above
5. Create Plan B:
• Research independent and university presses -- are any of them right for you?
• Consider co-publishing with a reputable press -- but only after you taken all the other steps