Learn the most effective steps and techniques for getting published from a publishing insider—a literary agent.

You may have spent months, maybe years, sweating and swearing over a book project. Why not spend just a little time learning how to maximize your chance of getting published? There is no magic formula for publication, but there are definite Do’s and Don’t’s and time-tested steps to follow. We won’t tell you it’s impossible and we won’t tell you it’s easy. We will give you a realistic understanding of the publishing business and a wealth of things you can do to help get your work published.

Among the topics covered: defining your book, whether you need a complete book or a book proposal, manuscript/proposal presentation, how to write great query letters and synopses, the places and players of the publishing world, whether you need an agent, researching agents and editors, how to send your materials, deciphering responses, coping with rejection, what to do when an agent or editor is interested, contracts, strategies for improving your odds.

You will get hands-on practice crafting the all-important query letter, plus time for questions. Whatever your specialty, fiction or nonfiction, you will gain a realistic understanding of how to get published.

Note: Though self-publishing is touched on, the focus is on getting published with a traditional publisher.