How to Get a Book Published in 7 Steps

To publish a book, you typically have two options. You can either take the traditional publishing route via an agent and publisher, or self-publish through online platforms.

The traditional path requires finishing your manuscript, locating a literary agent, and then collaborating with said agent to present your book to publishers. Self-publishing, conversely, enables you to manage the complete process independently, from editing and formatting to marketing and distribution.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the traditional publishing route — the path most writers imagine when they think of “getting published.”

How to get a book published:

1. Finalize your first draft

Many fiction authors wonder if they can land an agent or publishing deal with just a proposal. Unfortunately, unless you're already an established name with a proven track record, you’ll need a fully finished manuscript before approaching agents or publishers.

This can’t be just any finished draft — it needs to be the best version of your book! That means you’ll need to let it rest for a bit, then revise it thoroughly, fixing any structural flaws, plot holes, or pacing issues before you hit send.

Since self-editing is notoriously difficult, consider working with beta readers — people who love your genre and can offer honest, outsider feedback. These are often fellow writers or dedicated readers who can give you a valuable “vibe check.” If they find parts of your story confusing, slow, or inconsistent, your book probably needs more work before it’s ready to query.

You might also want to bring in professional editors — both developmental and copy. A pro edit can make all the difference when an agent finally reads your manuscript. It’s an investment, but one that often separates a rejection from a request.

If you’re writing a nonfiction book, things are a little different. You actually don’t need a finished manuscript, but a polished book proposal. This includes sample chapters, an outline, market analysis, your author bio, and a marketing plan 一 basically the proposal should sell your idea.

Once your manuscript is looking sharp, the next step is compiling a list of agents to pitch.

2. Shortlist the agents to pitch

You might ask yourself: do I really need an agent? Can’t I just pitch my book to publishers?

While some indie presses accept “unagented submissions,” you’ll find that your best bet to score a traditional publishing deal will be to secure an agent first. Not only do they have the right connections at publishing companies, but they will also know how best to sell your work to acquiring editors.

Pitching your book is just one of the many tasks that falls to an agent. They are also advisors and editors, who will give you objective advice on your manuscript and act as a buffer between you and the publisher. They’ll handle a lot of the business side of things, leaving you free to write. 

Most importantly, they are deeply familiar with the industry and should know how to negotiate the best price for your book (and avoid potential scams). For that reason alone, they are worth their commission (which is usually 15% of your gross proceeds).

Where to find an agent

So where do you find an agent? There are several free directories you can consult to begin your search. 

Here are some of the best ones:

• Reedsy’s Literary Agents Directory 
• QueryTracker
• Publishers Marketplace
• Manuscript Wishlist (#MSWL) 

They all let you filter by genre, location, and openness to debut authors. They also highlight key info like genres, track-record sales, response times, and submission windows, so you don’t have to query “blind”. 

Curate a list of vetted agents 

Once you’ve gathered a few viable names, double-check that your story’s genre, sub-genre, and commercial hook genuinely match theirs. Study their client lists and verify that each agent is currently open to queries.

Build a spreadsheet of roughly fifty to sixty prospects so the inevitable rejections don’t stall your campaign. 

Remember, you are not just looking for any professional agent who’s willing to take you on. You want one that’s right for you and your manuscript. They should be passionate about your book. After all, they’ll be responsible for selling it! On that note, don’t dismiss ambitious new agents attached to reputable agencies — they’re often hungrier and have lighter client loads. 

Finally, watch out for submission quirks like required page counts or preferred platforms. Some agents want queries via email with a few sample pages, while others use QueryManager and may request full chapters. Always follow their guidelines to the letter!

Speaking of letters…

3. Write a strong query letter

You need to beat the competition and win your agent’s interest. Think of your query as a one-page sales pitch: under 400 words, laser-focused, and built with a structure that agents can scan quickly. 

To master the craft of writing an outstanding letter, check out our post on the topic as well as these query letter examples. But in a nutshell:

Open with a clean greeting (“Dear Jordan”) followed immediately by your book’s title, genre, and rounded word count — then deliver a hook that spotlights your most irresistible premise, conflict, or question.

Follow the hook with a 1–2-paragraph mini-synopsis that reads like back-cover copy: introduce the protagonist, the disruption to their world, the stakes if they fail, and a glimpse of the journey ahead. Keep this (and the hook) to roughly half the letter’s total length. 

Close the pitch section by naming one or two recent comp titles (“X meets Y” or “For fans of…”) to prove you understand where your book sits on the shelf — avoid mega-hits, ancient classics, or obscurities that will confuse the agent.

Next comes your author bio. In two lines, highlight any publishing credits, awards, professional expertise, or platforms that bolster your credibility. If personal experience uniquely qualifies you to tell this story, mention it here.

Finally, personalize it. Show you’ve researched the agent by referencing a client, wishlist item, or a potential interaction you had (whether in real life or online), then thank them for their time and sign off. Before you hit send, triple-check submission guidelines and consider a professional query-letter review.

You’ve got the agents to query and a great letter. Time to get pitching.

4. Sign a literary agent

With your polished query letter in hand, open that spreadsheet of vetted agents and begin submitting according to each one’s guidelines.

There are different strategies for sending queries. Some authors prefer to blast out queries to 50-60 agents at once to compress the long waiting periods, while others send smaller waves (for example, three batches of 20) to gauge feedback and potentially refine their query letter between rounds.

Track every submission date, query status, and feedback in a single sheet so nothing slips through the cracks.

This stage will test your patience. Some writers land representation in weeks; others spend years in the so-called “query trenches.” If an agent’s stated response window passes, send a polite nudge — usually a brief “just checking in” email. If one agent requests the full manuscript, alert the others you’ve queried; a little competitive pressure can speed up reads.

Learn to handle rejection (and radio silence)

When querying, rejection is inevitable — sometimes in the form of a courteous pass, sometimes via silence. Take each “no” as data, not a verdict on your talent. Maybe you still need to improve your book’s content or pitch. Or perhaps it would be prudent to start drafting your next book, rather than endlessly polish a project that isn’t gaining any traction. 

Many debut deals come from a writer’s second or third manuscript. Each new endeavor  sharpens your craft. Learn to  separate your self-worth from the outcome: celebrate each query sent and every bit of constructive feedback received, then keep moving forward.

😌 For inspiration, listen to this Reedsy Live with NYT bestselling author Caroline Levitt, who persisted through multiple rejections, had a publisher go out of business, and was even dropped on contract for her ninth book before finding immense success with a smaller, dedicated publisher.

Choose one for the long haul

Now, let’s assume you do get one or more agents interested in your work. You’ll probably schedule a call to discuss your book and how they envision the path to its publication. Use this time to weigh up their editorial vision, communication style, and agency reach. A seasoned agent with bestseller clout might be more appealing, but perhaps you prefer working with a newer agent with a lighter list who could offer more hands-on attention.

Also, think long-term partnership: can you see yourself collaborating over several books and years? Sign with someone who you respect and trust to represent your work for the long haul. 

Work with your agent to pitch your book

Signing with an agent is a big milestone, but it doesn’t guarantee publication (sigh!). Most agents will still ask for at least one more round of revisions to make sure your manuscript is market-ready. Tackle the edits that strengthen your book, but if it feels like the changes are warping your work into something unrecognizable, it may be a sign that this agent isn’t the right fit.

Once you’re both happy with the state of your manuscript, it's up to your agent to go out in the wilderness, pitch your book to publishers, and negotiate the best possible terms for your book sales! Your job now is to sit back and let them handle the outreach. 

With a bit of luck, you'll start to hear interest from editors…

5. Sign a book publishing deal

After what might feel like an eternity of waiting, the moment you've been dreaming of finally arrives: a publisher wants your book! Whether it's one offer or multiple publishers battling it out in an auction, this is when things get real — and when you'll be especially grateful to have an agent in your corner.

Evaluate the offers you receive

Not all publishing deals are equal — the best offer isn’t always the biggest advance. Consider who’s making the offer and what it means for your book’s future.

Big Five publishers typically offer larger advances and wide distribution, but may move on quickly if a book underperforms. Indie and digital-first publishers often offer smaller advances but more personal attention, higher royalties, and creative input. That kind of focused support can lead to faster earn-outs and lasting career momentum — many authors, like Gina Sorell, started with a small press and later moved to a Big Five publisher.

As you did on your quest for an agent, you should weigh the publisher’s vision, track record, and alignment with your long-term goals. Ask your agent to help assess the fit. 

Consider the contract

Publishing contracts are dense documents full of legalese that would make most writers' eyes glaze over — which is exactly why your agent earns their 15% commission. They'll handle the heavy lifting, but understanding the basics will help you make informed decisions.

The advance, which is a check paid upfront, is probably what you're most curious about (no judgment — we all have bills to pay). Despite the dizzying 7-figure deals you sometimes see, the reality is usually more modest — advances can range anywhere from $2,000 from small presses to $50,000 or more with the Big 5.

Royalties are where things get interesting. Standard rates typically look like:

• 10% on hardcover sales
• 7.5% on paperback sales
• 25% on ebook sales

Many contracts include escalation clauses: hit certain sales milestones, and your royalty rate increases. But here's the catch: you won't see a penny in royalties until you've "earned out" your advance. If you received $30,000 upfront, your book needs to generate $30,000 in royalties before additional payments kick in.

Subsidiary rights are the hidden gems of publishing contracts. These cover everything beyond the standard book formats:

• Audio rights (increasingly valuable in our podcast-obsessed world)
• Foreign translation rights (your book could be a bestseller in Denmark!)
• Film and TV rights (Netflix, anyone?)
• Merchandising rights (rare, but imagine your character on a coffee mug)

Your agent will fight to retain as many of these rights as possible, or at least ensure you get a favorable split if the publisher keeps them.

There are a few other clauses that your agent will need to sort out, and the negotiation process might take weeks as your agent pushes for better terms. When the dust settles and you're holding that final contract, take a moment to celebrate. You're about to become a traditionally published author! 

But don’t overdo it. You’ll still need to work on your book… 

6. Refine the book with the publisher’s team

That's right. Despite editing your book with beta readers, professional editors, and your literary agent, you will have to go through at least one round of edits based on the editorial feedback you will receive from their assigned editor at your publisher.

Your acquiring editor will send you an editorial letter to improve your book further. Fiction writers might need to flesh out scenes or rethink plot points, while nonfiction authors who sold on a proposal will need to deliver those final remaining chapters. Either way, expect at least one substantial revision, possibly more.

The production marathon begins

Once you and your editor agree the manuscript is ready, your book enters the production pipeline — and things move fast.

• Cover design: You'll provide input on design concepts, but the publisher has final say. Speak up quickly if you hate the initial options!
• Marketing and publicity: You'll collaborate with these teams to identify target audiences, potential blurbers, and promotional angles for your book.
• Copy editing: A professional will meticulously review your manuscript line-by-line, catching everything from grammar errors to plot inconsistencies.
• Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs): These early, unpolished versions of your book go out to reviewers and booksellers 3-6 months before publication — seeing your book in print for the first time is unforgettable.
• Proofreading: Both you and a professional proofreader get one final chance to catch any lingering errors before your book goes to print.

Throughout this process, deadlines will feel relentless, and you'll wonder how any book ever makes it to shelves without any errors. But trust the process, and the talented team working to make your book shine. Before you know it, you'll be holding the finished product, ready to share your story with the world.

7. Celebrate your book’s launch

When your author copies arrive about a month before publication, do that happy dance and drink that Champagne. It’s quite a magical feeling, and you've certainly earned it! 

Done? Okay, now it’s time to roll up your sleeves: the promotion phase begins. Most authors today shoulder much of their own promotion, regardless of advance size.

Effective book marketing means building buzz before, during, and long after launch week. Set up bookstore events, pitch yourself to media outlets and podcasters, and engage on social media. Remember that books can find new audiences months (or even years!) after publication. Whether you hire a publicist or DIY your promotional efforts, get comfortable with putting yourself out there — it could make or break the success of your book.

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Yes, the path to publication is long (sometimes maddeningly so), but seeing your book in readers' hands will make every rejection and revision worth it. Take a moment to savor this achievement — then get back to writing. Your next book awaits. And with all this new experience and connections, publishing it should be a lot easier.