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Since that time, I have placed two of my novels with a small publisher and recently, a friend of a friend contacted me for advice on the process of trying to find a publisher. Three years ago, I could not have offered a single word of advice. But once I had finished that first book, I began to investigate my options. Months of dedicated research and literally years of trying and failing and trying again ensued, to a point where I now feel that I have gained enough experience to offer advice to a new writer.

The first thing I did was go out and purchase the latest version of A Writers Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents. I studied this enormous volume as though I would be tested and listed every publisher and agent who might handle the type of book I had written. By the time I began contacting some of these agencies and publishers, I had learned the meaning of a few very important terms that popped up on nearly every page. The first of these formerly alien words - query.

Until now, I had assumed that the word was a synonym for the word “question” and in a way, it is. But in the world of book publishing, to query is to contact an agent or an editor by way of a short, tempting letter. As a writer, your job is to gain the interest of the agent or editor by presenting a teaser about your book.

In a query, or query letter, you do not detail the entire plot of your story - you simply present enough information to grab the reader’s attention and force them to want to know more about your book. A query letter is not an easy thing to write, but fortunately there are many writer’s sites on the Internet, as well as samples in the aforementioned writer’s guide, offering clear and concise advice. So you compose this letter and send it off, right? Well, yes, but don’t forget to include a SASE. Huh?

SASE refers to “self-addressed stamped envelope,” which until very recently, was an absolute in the world of publishing. Now, some agencies and even some publishers accept queries by Email. But you can’t go wrong by including a SASE when sending your queries by regular mail. It is a courtesy and whether or not the recipient chooses to use your envelope, I think it is best to include it.

Some editors or agents may request, instead of a query, a “synopsis.” This is an entirely different approach. A synopsis is a longer, more-detailed description of your book that includes the outcome.

Most publishers and agents will list in their guidelines exactly how long they wish the synopsis to be, and it is always a good idea to give them exactly what they ask for. Why get on their bad side before they even read your proposal?

A synopsis is not any easier to write than a query letter, but again, new writers can find help on the Internet or at your library or local bookstore. And don’t forget the SASE and always close your cover letters and queries professionally, thanking the reader for their time.

But on the brighter side, I had completed another book by the time all of my initial queries had been answered. And some of the rejections were actually pretty heartening. A few editors requested sample chapters (generally the first three chapters) before passing on my book and often wrote personal letters indicating why they were not interested. Later on, a few editors from major houses actually requested complete manuscripts, the ultimate, especially for one working without an agent. So at least I knew that my queries, synopsis’ and sample chapters had made the cut, even if the deal did not materialize.

In January of 2000, one of my books (my fourth) was accepted by a small paperback publisher, one I had never heard of but had discovered in my growing collection of trusty writer’s manuals. By November of that same year, my book was available to order through most on-line booksellers and by order at most bookstores. Okay, so it wasn’t on shelves all over the country and I didn’t warrant a big write-up in the New York Times, but I was officially a published author. And I’d done it on my own, step by step, with patience and an ever-thickening skin as I brushed off stacks of rejection letters (but filed them away for tax purposes.)

As of this writing I’ve completed a total of ten novels, a second came out in August from this same small publisher and a third is due out in the summer of 2002. My dream to publish with one of the “majors” has not changed, but I’ve learned that the possibility of this happening is slim-unless perhaps one of my published books “makes it big” or at least shows respectable sales and garners some attention in the book world. Despite this fact, I feel that I have learned the up and downs of the process and achieved a degree of satisfaction, considering that I had never thought beyond writing that first book in 1998.

Now, writing is a part of my life, something that I try spend time at every day. I have a small collection of notes and letters from readers of my first two books, which I keep tucked inside of my original author copies. My parents are proud beyond description and I still feel a tiny thrill when I see my titles listed on Amazon.com or other sites on the Internet.

I outlined these steps in my letter of advice to that friend of a friend, stressing the need for patience and realistic expectations. Many more books are written each year than are accepted for publication, and even among those chosen, only a few achieve the kinds of sales that enable a writer to “write for a living.” I’ve experienced my share of disappointments throughout my brief career and adjusted my goals accordingly.

Maybe one day, one of my books will be picked up by the very person who can elevate my book sales with a simple nod of approval. If not, I’ll be satisfied with knowing that I accomplished a goal I had set as a teenager - which was simply to “write a book someday.” Having a book or two published, with my name on the cover, was not something I had dared to dream.