As a writer and author, I am often asked about the process of publishing. Many people are under the impression that a writer simply sends out a typewritten copy of his or her manuscript, and paperback editions appear on bookstore shelves several months later. Unfortunately, the process is more complicated than that. The book publishing market is highly competitive with thousands of writers competing for a few coveted contracts each year.

I have written this article to help readers and new writers understand the process of publishing from pen to press.

1) The Birth of an Idea
Every good book begins with an idea, but an idea alone won’t land a publishing contract. A successful writer must learn to market and sell ideas to publishers. That selling process begins with market research.

2) Market Research
Some publishing houses print only nonfiction for adults, while others publish a wide variety of genres and cater to all ages. A writer must know which houses are the best candidates for her particular work. To research the best markets, a writer should obtain a market guide—a comprehensive book listing potential publishing markets. For the Christian writer, I recommend Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide. This book also offers contact information and brief descriptions of various publishing houses’ interests and needs. Publishing houses with websites usually post more detailed writer’s guidelines online.

3) The Query
When a writer is ready to seek a publisher for his or her book, the first step in making contact with potential markets is the query letter. In a one-page letter, the writer must give a brief yet interesting explanation of the story, offer some technical information such as genre, length, and completion date, and explain her education and experience as a writer. If a writer has done her job correctly, the letter will compel the editor to request more information about this book.

4) The Proposal and Sample Chapters
The editor reads the writer’s query letter and loves the idea. He wants to know more about the book, but doesn’t have time to read a 300-page manuscript. The proposal package offers the editor all the information he needs to determine whether this book and this writer are right for his publishing house. The proposal package includes:

A) Book Summary. Often referred to as the back cover blurb, these three to five paragraphs give tantalizing highlights to entice the editor to read more.

B) Book status. Is it complete or in the planning stages? Estimated word count of the completed manuscript? Estimated date the writer will finish?

C) Audience. Who is the book written for? Women or men? Adults or children? Mystery lovers or sci-fi fans?

D) Series considerations. Many publishers will not consider a single novel without sequel suggestions. It doesn’t hurt to include a few paragraphs detailing how a series might be handled.

E) Author biography. A writer should include detailed background information about her education, experience, publishing credits, and personal tidbits.

F) Synopsis. The synopsis is a condensed summary of the plot and can range from two to twenty pages. Most houses offer guidelines with more information about their preferences for synopsis style and length.

G) Sample chapters. The writer should include the first few chapters of the book with the proposal. These chapters give an editor the opportunity to preview the writer’s talent and style. They also indicate the tone of the story and the personality of the characters.

Some publishing houses request additional information, so each proposal must be tweaked and tailored to meet the needs of the recipient. Often, assembling a proposal is as difficult as writing the book, but the extra work pays off. A well-received proposal will carry a writer to the next step in the process.

If an author is unpublished, a publisher generally requires a completed manuscript before considering it for publication. Published authors can pitch ideas or send proposals and receive contracts in advance of novel completion.

5) The Request for Full Manuscript
Once an editor has reviewed the proposal, he has a good idea if this book is a candidate for his publishing house. If so, he will send the writer a request for the full manuscript. If the book is not finished, the writer will then complete the manuscript, editing and polishing each line and phrase until the story represents her best work. Then the writer packages and mails it to the editor and settles in for a long wait.

6) At the Publishing House
Each publishing house has its own procedure for reviewing manuscripts, but most have these factors in common:

A) Editor review. The editor who requested the manuscript will read it and decide whether it is a potential candidate for publishing. Editors look for a cohesive plot with a clear message, character development, conflict, and dialogue, as well as writing technique and skill.

B) Test readers. The editor gives the most promising manuscripts to test readers. These people represent the public and offer feedback from a reader’s perspective.

C) Marketing and Sales. The marketing and sales departments have a say in which books are purchased and which are rejected. They are familiar with the market and know what will sell and what readers will reject. People from these departments review the manuscripts and give input.

D) Editorial committee. This group, usually made up of heads of departments, makes the final decision. They review the editor’s comments, the test readers’ input, and the marketing/sales reports, then issue a contract offer or a rejection.

7) Contract
If a manuscript makes it through all of these stages, the writer will be offered a contract, but the work isn’t done yet.

8) Editing
Often a story will need a few adjustments so the editor will make notes in the margins of the manuscript and return it to the writer. The writer makes the necessary changes and returns it for inspection. This process may be repeated several times before the manuscript is considered ready for final editing.

9) Proofreading
Before a manuscript goes to print, a team of editors examines every sentence, word, and punctuation mark. They correct grammar errors and misspellings and adjust formatting to meet their style specifications.

10) Galleys
Before the final draft of the book is printed in mass quantities, a galley, or proof copy is printed for the author’s inspection. This is the last and final opportunity to catch spelling errors and grammar mistakes. Keep in mind, the editing work should have been finished by this stage so no major changes should be made to the galley. Simple grammar or spelling corrections only.

Finally, the book is ready to print. A first printing run can range from 5,000 to 50,000 books, depending on the popularity of the author, the line, and the projected sales. Even when the book is printed, the work isn’t done. That’s when the promotional campaign begins. Press releases, interviews, book signing tours …

But that’s another article.