A Secret To Getting Published
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
A Secret to Getting Published
Discovering the Path to Publication
When Warner Books, one of the world's largest publishing companies, published my first book, The Angry Clam, in 1998, I was often asked two questions. The first was, "What were you smoking when you wrote this book?" followed by, "How did a 40-page, hand-written book with rough drawings of a clam get published?"
To address the first question humorously?"it wasn't Turkish Hashish! In reality, I awoke in the middle of the night with an idea about an angry clam and spent hours urgently scribbling it down. The answer to the second question offers one of the essential secrets to getting published.
The Journey of The Angry Clam
After completing my first literary attempt, I shared it with friends, who found it hysterically funny?"for the right reasons. Encouraged by their response, I created a more polished version with a cover and hand-drawn illustrations. Armed with 50 copies from Kinko's, I approached a local bookstore to see if they’d sell it on consignment.
To my surprise and delight, the owner agreed to take five copies, possibly out of pity at first. Astonishingly, within 24 hours, he called back for 10 more; the staff had bought the books and were sharing them around. They were placed in the "Staff Favorite" section, and the orders kept coming.
Buoyed by success, I approached another bookstore. A similar phenomenon ensued. With two local bookstores selling and promoting my book, I stumbled upon an idea that would capture the attention of big literary agents and publishers.
The Breakthrough
I asked the bookstore owners to write short letters describing the "phenomenon" of The Angry Clam. With these testimonials, I targeted literary agents using the Writer's Guide to Literary Agents. I sent a copy of the book and the letters to about a dozen agents.
Within two weeks, five agents reached out, eager to represent The Angry Clam. After selecting one, it took less than a month to receive my first publishing offer. Warner Books eventually published it, and it hit bookstores nationwide, even making it into Amazon's Hot 100.
The Lesson Learned
The story of The Angry Clam highlights a crucial point: In publishing, a book's perceived ability to sell is paramount. Demonstrating small-scale success can persuade publishers to invest in the potential of larger sales. For them, the risk is minimal, and the potential reward is worth it.
After all, publishing is a business, and proving your book's marketability is key to unlocking its future.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: A Secret To Getting Published.
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