Of COURSE I want to be published, ya knucklehead.  That’s why I read all of the writing blogs!

Umm, okay.  That’s a really good start.  It’s important to get a feel for what writers have to say about publishing.  Some writers even have some great words of wisdom that can help new writers avoid some real pitfalls and traps.  It’s the tip of the iceberg though.

Folks, publishing is a business, plain and simple.  It is a way for a company to make money.  It’s a numbers game whereby a business will look at a product you think people may want to buy, and then looks at your widget and determines if there is a market.  If they believe there is a market for your widget then they may move forward and buy your widget and distribute it to the waiting hands of consumers.

It is a slate-cold reality.  Tough to face, but true.

At this point, some may argue about muse, literary merit, artistic creativity and whatnot.  Smokescreens all, I say.  What you have, gentle writer is a product.  A widget. An item for sale.  You need to get past the thought that your book is anything but a product.  Once you do, you will see that it is your responsibility to understand the business that you are trying to persuade to buy your product.

So, how do you go about understanding this business?  Here are some tips:

• Go to Publishers Weekly and subscribe.  This is the industry source of information and news.  It is essential that you understand the industry and the current trends.
• Go to Nathan Bransford’s blog and subscribe.  He is an agent extraordinaire, and you are missing out on real world publishing news if you’ve never been there.
• Read How I Got Published: Famous Authors Tell You in Their Own Words There is amazing insight into the publishing world in this great book.
• Read Beginning Writer’s Answer Book This book really does answer a lot of questions without getting into too much detail.  A good starting point for your studies of the publishing industry.
• Pay attention to what publishers and agents are tweeting on Twitter.  Watch for helpful articles and news.

Following these tips is just the beginning in your journey towards understanding the business of selling your widget.  One path will lead you to another and another and another.  Be a sponge.  Learn all that you can and when the time comes to negotiate for your best deal, you will understand far more than many of the other vendors trying to hawk their wares and you will come out on top.