Once the draft of your novel is completed you will automatically face one of the most important (and frustrating) questions a writer must consider: Should I get an agent? Your answer to this question depends on how much time you want to devote to publishing in general. Do you want to learn the industry inside and out? Go solo. Would you prefer to make writing a more background event in your life so you can spend it on other things more important to you? You will need an agent in such cases. If you decide to give a nod to agenting, be sure to thoroughly research your agent before agreeing to any contractual agreement. A good and very accurate resource to consult is the online Preditors & Editors website.
Remember that no matter what road you take in your publishing career, you will spend the majority of it in the editing process. Most big authors will tell you that writing is “10% writing and 90% rewriting.” This is so true. Even the biggest authors on the market will admit to putting tremendous time into rewriting (and sometimes, reworking) their story. Don’t be so in love with your first draft that you aren’t willing to rework it and take the advice of readers and industry professionals around you. If you are working on your first long piece of work, you may want to have a trusty beta reader, someone you know and trust to give you a fair and unbiased opinion of your work.
Another consideration is the method of publishing you follow. There are now many different techniques that can see you published. There is traditional publishing through a midsize to large publishing house; independent publishing, either traditionally or in POD (print-on-demand) format; and self-publishing. Each of these options has both advantages and drawbacks, so research publishing thoroughly and talk to those who have gone before you to learn which method would best suit your needs and the needs of the work you have written.
Remember that publishing your horror novel is just the beginning of the road. Without a readership, your work will be in vain, so be sure to study promotional techniques, join groups that specialize in promotion and marketing, read books, and learn to be a savvy online presence. Take out a website to promote your book (it will work 24/7 for you) and learn about book signings, author events, and conventions. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different promotional ideas like flyers and free chapbooks (remember to include buying coupons!), but keep in mind as well that familiarity breeds contempt, and it’s quite possible to over-promote your work through too-frequent message board postings, false reviews, and spamming your potential readership, thereby being branded a nuisance (and charlatan) online.
Another thing to keep in mind is to mete our your ego according to the strength and popularity of your work. Too often I run into authors whose egos are leaps ahead of their writing ability or readership. The average professional author is a hard, down-to-earth worker and is not impressed by up-and-coming authors who believe they can muscle their way into the industry. Remember that networking with other authors is a valuable resource; respect your fellow authors and learn to value their thoughts and appreciate any time they spend speaking to you and helping to promote your work. The same holds true for your publishers and editors: learn to work with these people, not against them.
By following a path of common sense and good research in the horror publishing industry, you can quite possibly see your own book in print someday. Good luck and good writing, and if you’ve found this article helpful on the road to becoming a published author, please contact me and tell me about it: the_vampire_akisha@yahoo.com.
