INTRODUCTION

Sharing your work

Great!

You’ve applied everything you’ve learned in the first two parts of this book to your Work In Progress’s first chapter. You then gave the rest of your manuscript the same careful treatment.

And now you’ve finally finished the Great American Novel. No, better than that. You’ve finished it and self-edited it. You’ve got a book boasting lean, sparking prose and you’re ready to send it out. Now comes the next step of your writing adventure.

While finishing a piece of writing rewards the soul, you’re not done until you share it with others. What will they think of it? Will they like its twists and turns? In your effort to make sure every word is right, are you sure the story itself will pass the final test of being bought by a publisher? And liked by readers?

Keep in mind that, although you might have self-edited your book perfectly, other problems can keep you from being published. Your story just might not stand up to the scrutiny of discerning readers. Your publishing track record may be weak, a glut of books on the same topic may have established a permanent residence on bookstore shelves, or a publisher’s editor might just be having a bad day. All of these can affect a manuscript’s reception.

Is your book ready for prime time? Now’s the time to find out.