Where to Find Help Getting Published? Other Writers, Says Jessie Glenn

Getting a book published is hard and takes a long time, publicist Jessie Glenn told CFF members at an on-line program on November 11, but Glenn offered a to-do list to help writers sell their books to publishers and readers. Writers’ communities like Columbia Fiction Foundry are an important part of that process, Glenn said.

The webinar, moderated by Fiction Foundry President Ken Schept, was part of CFF’s fall series and it’s available for viewing on the CFF website.

Glenn focused on what writers can do to improve their odds of securing an agent and publisher. “Literary Publicity 101,” Schept called it at the end of the session.

Becoming part of a literary community – like Columbia Fiction Foundry – was high on Glenn’s list. After joining, ask yourself “what part are you going to play?” she said. “Literary citizenship” is important.

Literary citizenship means helping other writers by participating in workshops and serving as a beta reader for works in progress. Say “yes” to everyone who asks you to read and give feedback, she said. When others in your community publish books or stories, promote their work – through social media or by writing book reviews.

Promote yourself, too. That means using social media.

“Most authors don’t want to do social media,” Glenn said. (Her company, Mindbuck Media Book Publicity, helps clients who are writers.) The process can mean developing your own website where you post short pieces regularly and “establish your brand.” Facebook “isn’t great,” she said, adding that Instagram may be a better way to position yourself with a literary community.

Writers can also make friends with their independent bookstores, introducing themselves when they buy books and attending programs there. Offering to do a program on writing at your local library is also an option.

The process builds contacts and relationships that pay off when an established author tells their agent about your first book or agrees to write a blurb for the cover.

The time it takes to get published is glacial, Glenn said. Sometimes deciding to forego the competitive process of finding an agent is a good choice. Sometimes it makes sense to begin with an independent press. If you take that route, read “comps,” books like yours, she said, and go with a publisher who specializes in your genre or your brand of writing.

To watch the complete presentation and discussion, go to: https://youtu.be/7wGErGXjJuw.