You've written a book? Now what...
So you’re writing a book or have written a book and you want some advice on how to get published?
As you may imagine, I get lots of people asking me this, especially as I've spent my life working with journalists…and a lot of journalists try their hand at writing fiction (no bad thing at all, methinks!).
I also now get requests for advice via my lovely readers. Obviously I genuinely want to pay it forward and help where I can. I used to reply individually but as the number of requests has grown and my own writing life has become so much busier, I’ve found it difficult to keep up. I also found myself repeating the same advice via messages and emails etc and felt it would be better for everyone - and also reach more people - to sum up all my tips in one place on my website.
So here we are! Teresa’s top tips.
OK – first things first. I’m going to be brutally honest here which means I’m going to say some things you're probably not going to want to hear. For instance, you probably don’t want to know that it took me ten years and four unpublished novels before I got my first publishing deal. You probably don’t want to hear that my first novel Recipes for Melissa (women’s fiction) sold slowly in its first year so I had to change genres, reinvent myself and dig very, very deep to relaunch myself in a new genre – psychological thrillers – with a new publisher.
You will, I hope, be pleased to hear that my determination eventually paid off. I’ve now sold over two million books, am published in more than 20 languages and even those early books, despite that quiet start, have since sold very well indeed. This all happily grew from my breakout book (my third published novel but first thriller) I Am Watching You so of course I’m mighty glad I didn’t throw in the towel. I share all this up front because I sincerely hope - with tips from lots of different sources - your own journey to publication will be much shorter than mine; also - you need to know my story to understand my first piece of advice...
As you may imagine, I get lots of people asking me this, especially as I've spent my life working with journalists…and a lot of journalists try their hand at writing fiction (no bad thing at all, methinks!).
I also now get requests for advice via my lovely readers. Obviously I genuinely want to pay it forward and help where I can. I used to reply individually but as the number of requests has grown and my own writing life has become so much busier, I’ve found it difficult to keep up. I also found myself repeating the same advice via messages and emails etc and felt it would be better for everyone - and also reach more people - to sum up all my tips in one place on my website.
So here we are! Teresa’s top tips.
OK – first things first. I’m going to be brutally honest here which means I’m going to say some things you're probably not going to want to hear. For instance, you probably don’t want to know that it took me ten years and four unpublished novels before I got my first publishing deal. You probably don’t want to hear that my first novel Recipes for Melissa (women’s fiction) sold slowly in its first year so I had to change genres, reinvent myself and dig very, very deep to relaunch myself in a new genre – psychological thrillers – with a new publisher.
You will, I hope, be pleased to hear that my determination eventually paid off. I’ve now sold over two million books, am published in more than 20 languages and even those early books, despite that quiet start, have since sold very well indeed. This all happily grew from my breakout book (my third published novel but first thriller) I Am Watching You so of course I’m mighty glad I didn’t throw in the towel. I share all this up front because I sincerely hope - with tips from lots of different sources - your own journey to publication will be much shorter than mine; also - you need to know my story to understand my first piece of advice...
1) Believe in yourself and ...keep going
On this path, you're going to need to believe in yourself when others don’t seem to - and you're going to need to dig deep. Yes – there will always be stories about the debut writers who have huge success, fat advances and massive sales straight out of the gate. I wish them all well, truly I do. But you need to know that this... is... rare. Most published authors served an apprenticeship, learning their craft and handling rejection, just as I did. Most have an early unpublished novel (or novels) tucked away. But do also remember that all published writers are the ones who didn’t give up. I often go cold, wondering what would have happened if I hadn't pushed on when my debut didn’t sell well initially. What might have happened if I hadn't changed genres….You get my drift.
2) Make it all about the writing
The writing is the one thing you can control so hold it dear and be disciplined. Get the words down. Remember that, like any job (and this is a job) you need to turn up. Get to the desk. Sit. Write. Sounds obvious but talking about writing a book and writing a book are not the same things at all.
Do this because you love writing and you want to become a better writer. Don’t do it solely because you think it’s going to help you ‘get rich quick’. Be aware that this could pay off for you handsomely. But also be mindful that most published authors have jobs or second streams of income to stay afloat. So go into this with your eyes wide open, take a very deep breath and be ready to make ‘determination’ and ‘grit’ your new best friends. Stay excited about the writing as the writing is the one thing you can always own.
Do this because you love writing and you want to become a better writer. Don’t do it solely because you think it’s going to help you ‘get rich quick’. Be aware that this could pay off for you handsomely. But also be mindful that most published authors have jobs or second streams of income to stay afloat. So go into this with your eyes wide open, take a very deep breath and be ready to make ‘determination’ and ‘grit’ your new best friends. Stay excited about the writing as the writing is the one thing you can always own.
3)Be market aware... and especially genre aware
I’m popping this in here with my hands up as it was a bad mistake I made when I started out. I didn’t think long enough and hard enough about which genre I was writing in. As a journalist for decades, I wrote and broadcast all kinds of stories. Human interest. Crime. The lot. So when I started writing fiction, I just wanted to write interesting stories about interesting characters. The result was I ended up with cross-genre, character-led books that fell between women’s fiction and psychological suspense. Editors said they were too dark for women’s fiction but not dark enough for thrillers or suspense. It wasn’t until I clearly separated the two genres and wrote accordingly that my career took off. So as you write your book – do be aware of the market, who your readers might be and what the genre expectations are. I don’t mean copy trends as that’s always a bad idea. (By the time you’ve finished your book, the trend will have passed.) I mean – be aware of the genre you are writing in be it crime, thriller, psychological suspense, literary or whatever. If you are going to be published, you’re going to have to pitch your book with an awareness of the marketplace. And yes – I do know that cross-genre fiction can do well but I also know from my own experience that it’s much, much harder to pitch and sell a cross-genre novel.
4) Finish the book
My first question when people ask for advice is – have you finished the book? The reason is that while non-fiction can be pitched as a partial, with debut fiction you need a whole, glorious manuscript to show off. Any literary agent or editor is going to want evidence that you can turn in a strong and finished novel. Why? Because starting a book is easier than finishing one and books - even those with a killer premise- can go off piste in the writing. So – finish the book and then…
5) Edit until your eyes hurt
...by which I mean polish, polish until your finished manuscript is the very best it can be. After completing the first draft, put it aside for a bit and then edit yourself with fresh eyes…over and over After that, decide if you have good readers/ allies who can give you worthwhile feedback or if you want to use professional editing help or perhaps join a writers' group to trade appraisal. I can’t advise you which way to go but you can google all this and decide for yourself. I can only plead that you don’t ask published authors to read your manuscripts as I promise we are all truly lovely people but most of us sadly just won’t have the time; we are usually way too busy overdosing on caffeine, trying to meet our own deadlines! There are lots of writing services offering professional manuscript appraisal for a fee…but that again is a decision for the individual. Next…
6) Decide your pitch route....do you want an agent?
OK – so now you have your glorious, finished book. Exciting! Some publishers - especially digital ones - will consider manuscript submissions direct from authors ( google this) but most of the big publishers and imprints won't. So if your heart is set on a big name publisher, you will need first to find a literary agent. The bad news? Getting a literary agent can be as tough as getting a publisher. They are, in effect, a filtering system. Literary agents work on commission so only get paid their percentage if they sell your book; they are ultra busy so are very picky about taking on new writers. I personally love having a literary agent to help steer my career and handle the business side of my writing life but you should know there are some successful authors who work without agents. Research all this and decide your own path.
7) Pitching to literary agents
If you do want an agent, read everything you can about pitching. You need to be able to pitch your book IN A SINGLE SENTENCE. You need to understand what an elevator pitch is. And practise it.
Use a mirror. Seriously. Imagine someone asking – so what’s your book about?
And go …
You may need this elevator pitch one day unexpectedly in a phone call or at a writer convention or on a course etc so it’s no good waffling – ‘oh it’s a bit difficult to explain. It’s very complex narrative. It’s sort of about this guy …’ If your book is difficult to explain, how do you expect a literary agent or publisher to market it? Sounds harsh. But learn that lesson fast…
Once you have your pitch polished, research literary agents online. See who represents authors you admire and , most important, your genre. Top agents tend to have big lists. Do try them but it’s also a good idea to check out up-and-coming agents who are building their lists. Google the Bookseller rising stars. Check out their websites and their submission requirements as these vary.
Most agents want a query letter which pitches the book and yourself along with the first three chapters and a synopsis ( I suggest a one-page synopsis but some agents specify length). Google ‘how to write a synopsis’ for tips.
And be glad it's all handled online these days! When I started out, I had to send my pitches and manuscripts by snail mail. (So soul-destroying when those envelopes landed back on my doormat with my miserable stamp-addressed label. Thank you…but no thank you.)
OK. So if an agent is interested, they will then ask to see the whole book (‘requesting a full’) which is great news. But be warned it may still take weeks for them to consider it.
Some agents send clear rejections. Others are honest on their websites and warn you will only hear from them ( at all!) about an initial submission if they're interested in your book. Some go as far as to say - if you haven't heard within 'so many' weeks, we wish you luck elsewhere ie it's a pass. Not getting a reply at all may seem extraordinary but they’re being open, not rude so don't take it personally. They’re just super busy people representing their clients as well as looking for new ones.
All this simply means you must BE ORGANISED. My first agent sadly failed to secure a book deal for me so when her agency was absorbed by another back in 2014 , I realised I needed fresh impetus, ipso facto a new agent, so I left amicably and started the whole querying process all over again with a brand new book Recipes for Melissa – which became my debut. I sent out over 20 pitches – query letter +1-page synopsis and first 3 chapters - to a wide variety of agents and made an excel spreadsheet to map timelines and responses. I got lucky. I had several offers of representation so I met or spoke to all of them and picked my new (and current fabulous) agent who has turned my whole writing life around.
So -what to do if an agent offers to represent you ( after you’ve screamed and run around the room!)? Before making a decision, I recommend you meet or at least talk by phone to the agent to ensure you’re a good fit and that they have the right contacts for your genre. You may want to ask how much editorial work they want to do with you before submitting your novel. You may also want to get a feel for their style of working. Do they have time to handle your career personally or do they work closely with an assistant or wider team, for instance. After your call or meeting, say how thrilled you are and that you will let them have your decision within a set timeframe ( a week or two at most). Then update all the other agents you’ve queried and say you’re considering an offer of representation and will make a decision by 'such and such date'. Be professional. Decide on a deadline to accept the offer so that you can see if you're going to have other interest. ..or not.
And if you don’t get any offers at all? It’s OK to be sad. Disappointed. Lick your wounds and have a little cry if you need to. But also know that many, many writers have spent years trying to get an agent without success. It doesn’t mean you can’t write. It means you haven’t found the right fit. Or your book hasn’t quite hit the right commercial spot yet. I remember one editor ( who mentored me in the early days) saying – 'Teresa; you are definitely going to make it. But this just isn’t your launch book.' I remember I cried after her phone call. But she was right. That book is still unpublished!
OK - your options if no joy getting an agent? You could submit to those publishers who consider un-agented mansucripts directly. You could move on to a new book. Or you could consider indie publishing.
Indie publishing's not my area of expertise but there are a lot of very successful indie writers so I strongly advise you check out the blogs and podcasts of the many experts such as Joanna Penn – at The Creative Penn website ( and podcast) and also Mark Dawson at the Self Publishing Formula.
And then – most important?
Use a mirror. Seriously. Imagine someone asking – so what’s your book about?
And go …
You may need this elevator pitch one day unexpectedly in a phone call or at a writer convention or on a course etc so it’s no good waffling – ‘oh it’s a bit difficult to explain. It’s very complex narrative. It’s sort of about this guy …’ If your book is difficult to explain, how do you expect a literary agent or publisher to market it? Sounds harsh. But learn that lesson fast…
Once you have your pitch polished, research literary agents online. See who represents authors you admire and , most important, your genre. Top agents tend to have big lists. Do try them but it’s also a good idea to check out up-and-coming agents who are building their lists. Google the Bookseller rising stars. Check out their websites and their submission requirements as these vary.
Most agents want a query letter which pitches the book and yourself along with the first three chapters and a synopsis ( I suggest a one-page synopsis but some agents specify length). Google ‘how to write a synopsis’ for tips.
And be glad it's all handled online these days! When I started out, I had to send my pitches and manuscripts by snail mail. (So soul-destroying when those envelopes landed back on my doormat with my miserable stamp-addressed label. Thank you…but no thank you.)
OK. So if an agent is interested, they will then ask to see the whole book (‘requesting a full’) which is great news. But be warned it may still take weeks for them to consider it.
Some agents send clear rejections. Others are honest on their websites and warn you will only hear from them ( at all!) about an initial submission if they're interested in your book. Some go as far as to say - if you haven't heard within 'so many' weeks, we wish you luck elsewhere ie it's a pass. Not getting a reply at all may seem extraordinary but they’re being open, not rude so don't take it personally. They’re just super busy people representing their clients as well as looking for new ones.
All this simply means you must BE ORGANISED. My first agent sadly failed to secure a book deal for me so when her agency was absorbed by another back in 2014 , I realised I needed fresh impetus, ipso facto a new agent, so I left amicably and started the whole querying process all over again with a brand new book Recipes for Melissa – which became my debut. I sent out over 20 pitches – query letter +1-page synopsis and first 3 chapters - to a wide variety of agents and made an excel spreadsheet to map timelines and responses. I got lucky. I had several offers of representation so I met or spoke to all of them and picked my new (and current fabulous) agent who has turned my whole writing life around.
So -what to do if an agent offers to represent you ( after you’ve screamed and run around the room!)? Before making a decision, I recommend you meet or at least talk by phone to the agent to ensure you’re a good fit and that they have the right contacts for your genre. You may want to ask how much editorial work they want to do with you before submitting your novel. You may also want to get a feel for their style of working. Do they have time to handle your career personally or do they work closely with an assistant or wider team, for instance. After your call or meeting, say how thrilled you are and that you will let them have your decision within a set timeframe ( a week or two at most). Then update all the other agents you’ve queried and say you’re considering an offer of representation and will make a decision by 'such and such date'. Be professional. Decide on a deadline to accept the offer so that you can see if you're going to have other interest. ..or not.
And if you don’t get any offers at all? It’s OK to be sad. Disappointed. Lick your wounds and have a little cry if you need to. But also know that many, many writers have spent years trying to get an agent without success. It doesn’t mean you can’t write. It means you haven’t found the right fit. Or your book hasn’t quite hit the right commercial spot yet. I remember one editor ( who mentored me in the early days) saying – 'Teresa; you are definitely going to make it. But this just isn’t your launch book.' I remember I cried after her phone call. But she was right. That book is still unpublished!
OK - your options if no joy getting an agent? You could submit to those publishers who consider un-agented mansucripts directly. You could move on to a new book. Or you could consider indie publishing.
Indie publishing's not my area of expertise but there are a lot of very successful indie writers so I strongly advise you check out the blogs and podcasts of the many experts such as Joanna Penn – at The Creative Penn website ( and podcast) and also Mark Dawson at the Self Publishing Formula.
And then – most important?
8) Start writing the next book
This is a rolling road you’re on now…If you do find an agent or a publisher, they’re going to ask what you’re writing next.
Finally – here’s wishing you all the luck in the world! Tag me on social media when you have success. I’ll be so very thrilled for you.
Finally – here’s wishing you all the luck in the world! Tag me on social media when you have success. I’ll be so very thrilled for you.