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From Manuscript to Bookshelf:
Lessons and Tips from One Paranormal Romance Author’s Traditional Publishing Journey
by Ines Gray
So, you’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting a manuscript, and now you’re ready to take the next big step — getting published.
Strap in and get ready for a ride. If traditional publishing is your goal, you’ll need a stiff upper lip, resilience, and persistence. It’s a rollercoaster. If you’re prone to getting your soul crushed by negative feedback and rejection, pursuing the traditional publishing route might not be for you. In this blog, I’ll take you through the lessons I’ve learned on my journey from manuscript to bookshelf …well soon to be bookshelf since I’m still amid the journey. But if you’re curious about the process, stick around. Through my own experience, I’ll share tips and lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Crafting Your Masterpiece
Let’s start at the beginning. Crafting your masterpiece is where it all begins. If you submit a weak manuscript to agents or publishers, you’ll be inundated with rejections. You’ve got this amazing story burning inside you, but how do you turn it into something that makes an agent or publisher sit up and take notice?
Tip 1: Research
Writing has changed, and to be honest, having a master’s degree in creative writing doesn’t always equate to fantastic author. Today’s average reader won’t sit still for the flowery prose of yesteryear. The harsh reality is, the human brain has evolved, molded by technology and social media. Gone are the days of long setting descriptions. Today’s readers need instant gratification. If they don’t get it, they’ll stop reading after the first chapter. Some will stop after the first paragraph. Descriptions and back stories must be woven into the action. And the action must start on the first page. Know what the readers in your genre are looking for and know how to create character arcs, how to plot a story, and how to keep the reader’s attention.
Side note: think about it from a marketing perspective. Amazon provides your first few pages as a sample read. If your book blurb catches the reader’s attention, but the first chapter falls flat, you’re losing sales.
I can’t express this enough — research the common mistakes new authors make. Mediocre writing stands out. You might have a great story, but your manuscript suffers if you ignore polished writing. The average reader gets frustrated with common mistakes. Typically, they don’t know why, but they feel it. It slows down the brain. These mistakes throw off the cadence, and soon the reader is tripping over a word jumble. Then — they’ll stop reading.
A commissions editor can identify common mistakes in the first few sentences. What are they? Well, there are a lot, but a few examples include: POV errors like head hopping, unnecessary dialogue tags, overuse of qualifiers, and overuse of “ly” adverbs. I’ve made these mistakes. I still make them. Then, I must correct them. If you’re not familiar with these mistakes, make it your business to become familiar. Publishers receive thousands of manuscripts each month. My publisher admitted they receive 1,800 monthly. Manuscripts laden with common mistakes are getting rejection letters. Only ten percent of those 1,800 submissions are worthy of moving to the next phase, and even some of those will end up getting rejected. And while we’re on the subject, hire a professional editor before submissions. Agents and publishers are looking for manuscripts already written in The Chicago Manual of Style. I can promise you — a messy, mediocre manuscript is getting a rejection letter. Think about it, with thousands of manuscripts filling inboxes, those awesome stories requiring less work are getting moved to the next phase. I won’t get into query letters here, but these also need to be unique.
Tip 2: Seek Feedback
Don’t be afraid to get feedback from others. Even if it’s harsh. And it will be. I can’t tell you how many times my beta readers have caught things I’ve missed. Fresh eyes can work wonders for spotting plot holes, inconsistencies, and areas in need of strengthening. I hire a professional beta reader first, and she has been invaluable. If you’re lucky enough to receive a publisher’s rejection with actual feedback, take note. The best writing advice I received was in the form of a semi-rejection that said, “We’re interested in this MS, but you need to tighten up your writing.” The human reaction to rejection is defensiveness. Let yourself be defensive, but once your emotions settle, go back, and read the rejection letter again with new eyes and an open mind. Listen to the advice. Learn what it means, then rewrite.
Submitting
Now that your manuscript is polished, it’s time to submit. You’ll need to decide if you want to submit to literary agents or try your hand with those publishers who also accept un-agented submissions.
Tip 1: Do Your Research
Researching publishing houses and literary agents is key. Some represent your genre only. Others dabble in many genres. In my case, I chose to forego the literary agent and try my hand with publishers accepting un-agented submissions. That meant choosing smaller publishing agencies and hybrid publishers (side note: these are NOT vanity publishers. If you want to know more about real hybrid publishing, read my blog on the subject here.) I submitted my manuscript to eleven publishers with open submissions. One submission went to a bigger publisher. They ignored me. I received four rejection letters. One small publishing house advised they were moving it on to the next phase. One small publishing house replied with interest, but only after I deleted the first two chapters, tightened up the writing, and built a social media following. I withdrew my manuscript from the remaining publishers once I signed a contract with an independent publisher who offers both traditional and hybrid contracts. Again, I can’t express enough to do your research. I did a deep dive and sat on the contract for thirty days while I researched the publisher before pulling the trigger and signing.
Research Tip — pay attention to facts about the agent or publishing house, not assumptions, conjecture, or personal tirades. The World Wide Web is inundated with opinions and that’s all they are. Consider the source. Ask the agent or commissions editor questions. Look at the authors they signed. Download a couple of those books and read them.
Tip 2: Don’t Take Rejection Personally
Rejection is a part of the publishing game. But here’s the thing— every rejection is a step closer to finding the right fit. So dust yourself off, tweak your query and manuscript if needed, and keep it moving.
Tip 3: Keep Writing
While you’re waiting to hear back from agents or publishers, keep writing. Start on your next project, or dive into short stories to keep those creative juices flowing. Not only does it help pass the time, but it also shows you’re serious about your craft. Not to mention, the more you write, the more you learn, and the better you get. In my case, I write to stay sane. It’s stress relief. If someone enjoys my writing, it’s a glorious side effect.
Tip 4: Be Patient (But Persistent)
Patience is definitely a virtue in the publishing world. It can take weeks, months, or even years to hear back from agents or publishers. But that doesn’t mean you should sit back and twiddle your thumbs. Keep querying, keep writing, and remain persistent.
Securing a Publishing Contract
And then, one glorious day, it happens. You get that email or phone call saying an agent or publisher is interested in your work. Cue the confetti and champagne! But the journey doesn’t end there. Now it’s time to secure that contract.
Tip 1: Celebrate (But Stay Grounded)
Take a moment to celebrate this major milestone. You’ve worked hard to get to this point, and you deserve to revel in your success. But remember, there’s still work to be done.
Tip 2: Know What You’re Signing
When it comes to contracts, knowledge is power. Make sure you understand all the terms and clauses before putting pen to paper. If something doesn’t sit right with you, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek legal advice. I got lucky. For me, the entire process from submission to signed contract took four and half months. I received an offer from a traditional publisher who offers both traditional and hybrid contracts. If you do receive a contract offer, research the publisher/agent again, then once more, and know what a contract should look like. Read every line. In my case, I’m involved in the legal world at my day job so reviewing the contract came easy.
Preparing for Publication
With the contract signed and sealed, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and . . . wait. From signed contract to release, traditional publishing takes a long time. But it doesn’t mean you should sit around and do nothing while you wait. It’s time get to work on preparing for publication.
Tip 1: Trust the Professionals
You may be tempted to micromanage every aspect of the publishing process or nag the coordinator about the lengthy process but it’s best to leave certain things to the professionals. Editors, designers, and publicists know their stuff, so let them work their magic while you focus on what you do best — writing. I’ve gone months without hearing from my assigned coordinator, but anytime I check in, I’m responded to immediately and assured my work remains in the queue. Immediately after signing the contract, I completed a lot of paperwork including questions about me, about my willingness to be interviewed or travel for events, about social media sites, and more. Then, seven months passed before I received the first proof from my editor. I’m now eight months into the process and still waiting on the cover design options, but I’m a patient person and grateful to have someone else in charge of those things. I don’t plan to burn any bridges by being a pain.
Tip 2: Build Your Author Platform
In today’s digital age, having a strong author platform is essential for success. This doesn’t mean you need thousands of social media followers, but establishing a presence is necessary. Start building your online presence early, whether it’s through social media, a blog, or a newsletter. Engage with your readers and build a community around your work. In my opinion, it’s also a good idea to have an author website. Debut authors need credibility. You do that by establishing an online footprint. Write guest blogs, collaborate with others, offer a newsletter.
Tip 3: I’m Reiterating Keep Writing
From the time I submitted my first manuscript to now, I’ve written the second novel in the series, a short story prequel, and 25% of the third novel. The second novel will be submitted to my publisher in August 2024, and I’ve posted the short story prequel on my website as a free read (shameless plug: check it out here if you like paranormal romance). I’ve established a timeline for all six novels in the series whether people read my books or not. As mentioned, I write for my own sanity, and I realize becoming a well-known author might take years.
To wrap up
I’ll share the important tips I believe are crucial to keep in mind while navigating the writing journey.
Tip 1: Publishing a Book Costs Money
It doesn’t matter which route you go. Whether the cost to you is in the lower percentage of royalties returned in traditional publishing, investing the money up front for self-publishing, or a bit of both in hybrid publishing, only you are one hundred percent invested in selling your masterpiece. And the expenses don’t stop once you sign the contract or when the book is published. It can take years to see a return. Lack of marketing is the death of any business. Your success relies on your own marketing. No matter how your book is published. Yes, a traditional publisher has connections. And yes, they’ll make those connections for you, but in the end, the author must show up with the follow through. I’m still learning the marketing part of this journey, but I know this — there’s a lot to it. Marketing is a job in and of itself.
Tip 2: It Can Take Years to Get Noticed
If you’re expecting something to happen overnight, this might not be the path for you. Sure there are overnight outliers here and there, just like in film, but it’s a rare occurrence. I’ve heard repeatedly “It’s a marathon, not a race.” This is so true. It took some of my favorite authors five to fifteen years to finally get noticed.
Tip 3: Know Why You’re Writing
Personally, I write for me. I mentioned it keeps me sane. My artistic brain controls my mood. I’ve dabbled in nearly every artistic media since childhood. Writing is the one creative outlet that brings me peace and joy. When I mentioned needing a stiff upper lip, it doesn’t stop once you’re published. In fact, that upper lip muscle will continue to get a workout. Every artist encounters individuals who dislike, maybe even hate what they create. And some of these individuals go out of their way to let the artist know. Controversy is the epitome of art. It’s been that way since the dawn of time. And the internet has made it easier to voice an opinion that can tear you apart. As I said, choosing this creative field requires resilience. But if writing soothes your soul, keep in mind why you’re doing it.
Tip 4: Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
It’s tempting to wonder why another newbie author appears to be getting noticed when you’re not. Keep in mind that another author’s success doesn’t equate to your failure. You are on your journey, and they are on theirs. You may never know what propelled another author’s success. Maybe they know somebody in the business. Maybe they have experience in marketing. Maybe they got lucky and one of their social media posts went viral. Maybe they’ve just been putting in the hard work for fifteen years and it’s finally paying off. Either way, stay focused, stop comparing, push negative feelings aside, and keep writing.
Yes, the journey from manuscript to bookshelf is a long and winding road, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. But if you have perseverance, patience, and a whole lot of passion, you can navigate it like a pro. Luckily in this day and age, there are many ways to get your book into the world and on shelves. If writing is something you love, regardless of which publishing route you choose, keep learning, keep trying, and keep writing! Hopefully, I’ll see your book on a shelf soon.
If you’d like to learn more about Ines Gray and her forthcoming series, visit her website at Ines Gray | paranormal romance author (inesgrayauthor.com)
Follow Ines Gray
Hi! I’m Ines Gray, an American author of paranormal romance. I reside in the Unites States in the Midwest. I’ve worked in federal law enforcement for nearly twenty years. Since 1998, the scope of my duties included expository writing. In 2022, I transitioned to fiction. Angel Redeemed is my debut novel and the first of a six-part series. I plan to complete as many novels as possible about fallen angels, demons, and other immortals blending into the modern-day world. I love to travel, love action and horror movies, and of course, love paranormal romance.
Looking for book recs…
Adventures in Literature 
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