Hello Hemingwaywantabes. Hope all is well and that you are writing away toward your publishing dreams. Recently, I spoke to the Boulder, Colorado Writers Group and provided Ten “Do’s and Don’t's” To Guide Publishing Dreams. This strategy has worked for me and for many of my clients who have been published. More at www.markshawbooks.net. Here goes:

Ten “Do’s” and “Don’t’s” Guaranteed to Work In Today’s Marketplace

Do Know Who The “Players” are in Today’s Traditional Publishing World – Literary Agents and Publishers Alike

Do Use Publisher’s Lunch as your bible to Understanding the Publishing World

Do Use Publisher’s Lunch, AARonline.com, and querytracker.net to locate potential Literary Agents.

Do Use Publisher’s Lunch to Locate PublishersDon’t Send the Query Letter and Book Proposal to Agents/Publishers Without Adequate    Research

Don’t Simply Send a Query Letter and Synopsis to Potential Literary Agents and Publishers

Above all, Do Emphasize Your Expertise to Write the Book (Platform) and Promotion and Marketing Alternatives Including New Media

Do Follow the Proper Form For Query Letters (one page) and Book Proposals Including Correct Use of Buzz Words

Do Send Five to Six Query Letters and Book Proposals at a Time – Use Snail Mail if Possible

Do Follow Up After Two Weeks to Check Status of Submissions

Do Not Be Discourage By Rejection – This Word is Not a Part of the Aspiring Author’s Vocabulary

Bottom Line: To Optimize Traditional Publishing Potential, Remember:“Unique Book Idea + Great Writing + Savvy Publishing Strategy

And remember – It only takes one literary agent and/or one publisher to say “Yes.”