Congratulations, you have finished your first romance novel, A Dove in the Wind. Readers have been following you via social media and are so excited by the sample chapters that you have been leaking so far, and can’t wait to read the whole book. If you read my article, Read the Fine Print (Agents), you will discover the pros and cons of obtaining an agent.

Here is an overview as to why an agent is important for you as an author: As stated in my previous article, you will learn about the various aspects of having an agent. Why is this important to you? An agent acts as a representative for an author’s work in which they are responsible for representing the author, from contract negotiations and management to ensuring that the terms and conditions of the contract are met between the author and the publisher.

What are the next steps? You are required to meet with your agent to go over the contract agreement. Warning: Read the Fine Print of the Contract. In this article, Read the Fine Print (Publishers), you will learn the roles and responsibilities of the publishing house and its effect on you as the author.

Let’s talk about what are the next steps for working with a publisher. You’ve just finished writing your novel and you know that it’s a great work of art. Your target audience has stated how they not only love the characters of the story, but has been able to relate to the main characters.

Your audience is waiting. Get educated. Understand the business of being a well-informed author in the publishing industry.

Whether you work directly with the publishing house or through an agent, either way you will obtain a contract. Warning: Read the Fine Print of the Contract. The contract will outline the roles and responsibilities between you and them.

Let’s delve a little bit deeper to talk about the publishing house, your partnership with them, and why they are important for you as an author. It is important to understand how to best partner with a publishing house because it will not only help you to gain the exposure that you desire, but will assist you in learning the business for yourself. Take a look at these seven tips on your publishing partnership:

1. Research the publishing house that interests you to determine if they work with books in your subject area;

2. Understand how the publishing house acquires manuscript submissions (i.e agent only);

3. Do you know what are the submission preparation and guidelines?;

4. Determine if your book is unique to the publishing house or a duplication of a book already within their database;

5. Learn what is required and how to submit your one-page query or proposal;

6. Sell yourself. Make your submission personal as you would with a resume cover letter; and

7. Learn what are the terms and conditions of the publishing house.

While you do not need to know everything, learning the business of being an author, working with an agent and understanding the publishing house is important for your success. Everything that you will learn will keep you on the pathway to your goal in being recognized as an author and getting your novel in the hands of your target audience.