New to the publishing world? Have a manuscript, but no idea what to do with it? Wish someone would just sit down and tell you how this whole thing works?

Happy to help!

If you've finished your manuscript, let us be one of the first to say, "Congratulations!" That's a big accomplishment and you've proven you can see a monumental task through to completion. Now, the hard work starts.

I know, crazy, isn't it? Writing that manuscript wasn't necessarily easy and now here you are reading about yet another gigantic task in order to get the thing published. We're convinced the system was set up to weed out anyone not TRULY committed to becoming a published book author. Think of it this way - by the time you actually see your book on a store shelf, you will have walked a path that brings you closer to God (God? Hello? Are you SURE you called me to write?), makes you more patient (Two years? They don't want to publish me for two YEARS?), provides you with wallpaper (what else to do with all those rejection letters?) and nets you a plethora of new friends (a/k/a other writers trying to get published). And that old saying is true, "If it were easy, everyone would do it."

So, now that you're ready to face the next big hurdle to becoming a published author, what do you do? Following is a list of traditional steps to getting published. You will find authors along the way (Rebeca Seitz, owner of GRPR, is one of them) who had a very different experience. You might even end up being one of those authors. But to become the exception, it's always helpful to at least know the rule. Knowledge is power, my friend, so let us share with you the traditional route to becoming a published author...

• Author spends 14,457 years writing and re-writing the Great American Novel.
• Author finishes the novel and promptly passes out from exhaustion.
• Author wakes up, wipes away drool, and realizes that no one has come beating on the door to purchase said novel.
• Author wonders how to get one of those publishing houses to buy this story for a gagillion dollars, thus negating the need to spend another 14,457 years writing book two.
• Author starts Googling like crazy. Author begins to wonder if this whole publishing thing might have more steps than first thought.
• Author finds a writer's conference. (Florida Christian Writers Conference, Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference are some of GRPR's favorite ones.)
• After reading about all the editors and agents who will be attending the conference, author learns that a paid registration fee affords the ability to submit the manuscript or a proposal in advance of the conference and get a critique at the conference.
• Author wonders what a proposal is. Back to Google.
• Author finds proposal template on Steve Laube's website (www.stevelaube.com) and creates a proposal.
• Author submits proposal to conference.
• Author attends conference. After five dizzying days, he/she now has a small inkling of how much he/she doesn't know. Classes on character development? Story arc? Publicity? Brand management? Ack!
• Author goes home to regroup.
• After 1.2 million hours spent in prayer and another 227,932 hours spent emailing and phoning friends who previously declared author was "Next Bestseller," author decides to follow up with some of the professionals met at the conference.
• Wisely, the first contact is with an editor. (Probably Linda Nathan of Logos Word)
• Editor agrees to edit the manuscript that author's mom declared "a masterpiece" and author's spouse (an English major!) said "needs no editing." Author has yard sale to pay for editing services.
• Three months later, author is found in study surrounded by shredded paper, courtesy of editor. Author stares forlornly at novel and wonders if his "art" should really be subjected to such vast revision.
• Author spends 1.5 million hours in prayer and realizes editor's history speaks for itself. She knows what she's talking about, so the edits need to be made.
• Author chains herself to desk. Armed with 72,394 gallons of caffeine, author digs in for the editing process.
• Ninety-two years later, the manuscript is finished (again).
• Author revises proposal, makes plans to attend another writers conference, and buys a copy of Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market guide. Eureka! Agent information galore!
• Author sends out more proposals to more agents.
• Another 17 months pass.
• A miracle occurs. The world stands still for the briefest of moments. All stars align. A host of heavenly angels descend upon author's study and sing the Hallelujah Chorus as author opens a letter from an agent declaring he'd like to see the rest of the manuscript. Author takes manuscript to overnight delivery company same day.
• Author sets up vigil by the mailbox, waiting on letter from agent.
• Author explains to spouse that coming inside could mean the agent's letter gets missed (the mailman could leave part of it out of the mailbox! the wind could snatch it away! the neighbor could intercept it! another author could intercept it!).
• Author dons a coat for changing of the seasons - by the mailbox.
• Six months later, author decides agent is spawn of satan and only sent the original letter to toy with author. Author plots revenge.
• Six days into revenge planning, author wonders if his/her real career is in writing suspense.
• Seven days into revenge planning, author realizes he/she has not checked email due to sitting vigil at mailbox.
• Author finds email from agent. "Thanks, but this doesn't work with our existing line."
• Author contemplates an easier career - say, neurosurgeon. Shoot, already spent too much time trying to get published. No time for med school now.
• Author goes through this process 14 billion more times.
• Author receives phone call from agent. "I'd like to represent you. Are you still unagented?"
• Author determines to appear cool. "I'm still weighing all my options. Thanks for your interest."
• Author hangs up and stands tall with pride. Two seconds pass. Author realizes what just happened. Author dials agent back, explains about his/her evil twin, and gets contract.
• Author sits back, relaxes in the knowledge that agent will soon bring a beautiful publishing contract.
• After 23.5 more months, author decides agent is spawn of satan.
• Two days later, agent calls. A publishing house has made an offer. Author eagerly stands by fax machine waiting on contract.
• Author gets eyes checked. Where is million dollar advance? Agent explains the four-figure advance is more than generous in today's market for a first-time novelist.
• Author reconsiders neurosurgery idea, but signs contract.