Breaking Into the Major Leagues of Publishing

Posted by Michelle Griep

You can break into the writerly big leagues!

Want to find out what it takes to land a contract in the writerly big leagues? Then read on as author Dina Sleiman shares her experience . . .

I, like most authors, have faced the ultimate novelist’s conundrum. You can’t get published until you’ve established a platform, which usually requires being published. Ironic, yet to those in the trenches, not so funny. I remember the first time I went to the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. I looked around the room and realized there were probably hundreds of writers who were ready to break into publication, and that only a handful of us would make it into the major league publishing houses each year.

That was 2010. Since then I have had two small press books published, as well as one ebook only release with a quickly defunct Zondervan line. Finally, this year, I feel like I am breaking into the major leagues with my Valiant Hearts Series from Bethany House Publishers. During those same five years, I have seen many of my writing buddies go from being unpublished to the minor, middle, or even major leagues as well. So I know it’s possible. And, as an added bonus, I work part-time as an acquisitions editor for a small press, WhiteFire Publishing, which gives me a unique perspective on the issue as well.

Here are some of the routes to the major league publishers.

Find a Major League Agent. 

Unless you sell tens of thousands of indie books, you will probably not be able to bypass this initial step. But note I said “major league” agent. Many very lovely, reputable agents still don’t land many major contracts. So if you want in with one of the top companies, do your research and find an agent who frequently works with them. Even then, you will probably need to add some of the techniques I mention below.

Contests. 

If you do well in a contest, an editor who judged your book might ask to see more. But even then, they will probably want you to have an agent. And in order to make it past a publishing committee, you will probably need to be utilizing one or more of the following tools.

Blogging. 

I mention this one mainly because it has been effective in the past, and because it is helpful as a piece of your platform. But these days the blog-o-sphere is flooded, so blogging alone won’t do the trick. However, being part of a group blog can be especially helpful because the members support each other and create a great synergy for publishing, marketing, and even boosting creativity.

Networking. 

Meeting agents, editors, and other authors is a great boost to any writing career, and writers conferences are probably the easiest place to meet them. It is only human nature that we will show some preference to people who we have met and liked. Agents and editors will probably give a few extra priceless minutes to submissions with familiar names at the top. And authors are surprisingly happy to give their friends a leg up whenever possible. But make sure to be pleasant, kind, and supportive when meeting people. Otherwise this technique could quickly backfire.

Check out Dina's major league release!

Small Press Publishing. 

It is not as easy to break in with a small press as writers seem to think. However, small presses often take on writers with small platforms. I have heard rumors that major publishers look down on writers published with small presses, but I have never seen this play out. In addition to giving you some exposure, small presses give you the experience of working with editors and marketing your book, which will help prepare you for those major leagues. But make sure it is a real, royalty paying small press. While a small press might not pay you an advance, it should not charge you a penny! And make sure it turns out quality books and has a solid reputation. If you accidentally publish with a vanity press thinking it is a small press, you could indeed hurt your chances with a major publisher.

Shorter Fiction. 

Some of my friends have started their journeys by writing short stories and novellas that have been included in collections with previously published authors. This is a great way to gain both experience and exposure. And if an editor likes you, they might start asking for novel proposals. So if you are great at networking and making friends, this could be the perfect route for you. Often members of author networks or group blogs support each other in this way. Several of the ladies from my group blog, “Inkwell Inspirations,” took this route with great success.

Indie Publishing. 

While this is not my area of expertise, I am aware that it has helped some people break into the major leagues, whether on their own or as a route to finding publishers. But this method is far from fool proof. Success in indie publishing requires 1) great writing, 2) great editing, 3) a great cover, 4) great marketing, and 5) a little bit of serendipity. One of the best methods I’ve seen is when unpublished writers release indie books as part of a collection with a number of well-known published writers. However, if your indie book is a flop, poorly marketed, or just plain awful, then you will be worse off than the un-published writer, so approach this method with wisdom and caution.

A Stellar Idea that Fits the Market. 

Remember that I started this post with the assumption that the writer is already at a professional level. Sought after companies receive stacks of quality manuscripts from agents. Those stacks will include novels by plenty of authors who have utilized many of the techniques listed above. At that point it comes down to an awesome idea and an awesome voice. Awesome voice really can’t be taught. But by studying the market, knowing what’s out there, and finding that perfect balance of same but different—you just might stumble across a stellar idea.

In my case, I blog, have contest wins, small press books, experience in publishing, and an agent. Whew! Even all of that wasn’t enough while I kept turning out hard to market ideas. Finally, I was struck with that stellar idea. As I was pondering a similar but different approach to Melanie Dickerson’s successful YA medievals, I came up with the concept for my Valiant Hearts Series, which features strong young heroines in legendary male roles like Robin Hood and Lancelot.

Remember that it takes most authors five to ten years to get published once they get serious about their writing. And it can take much longer to break into the major leagues. But I hope this post will encourage you that it is possible and help you to discover some of the routes that just might take you there.

Author Dina Sleiman

Dina Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Dauntless, book one in her Valiant Hearts Series with Bethany House Publishers, is now available and was a Library Journal pick of the month for April 2015. Dina also serves as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire Publishing, and she loves to teach at writers conferences throughout the US. For more info visit her at her website.

http://dinasleiman.com

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Michelle's Fairy Tale ~ My Nightmare. . . . Or Not

Dina Sleiman writes lyrical stories that dance with light. In addition to being an award-winning novelist, she serves as an acquisitions and content editor for WhiteFire Publishing. Join her as she explores the unforced rhythms of grace.

Recently I read Michelle Griep's Novel Rocket post about her fairy tale publishing journey with David C. Cook's digital first line (A True Fairy Tale). A year ago I was living out a similar fairy tale. With one small press historical under my belt, I was encouraged to write a historical romance. Less than twelve months after I even had the idea for this book, Love in Three-Quarter Time released through a brand new digital first line with a very well-respected company. 

But as so often happens in the publishing industry, my experience did not turn out to be a fairy tale. It turned into something more along the lines of a nightmare.

After releasing my lone little book, the new line shut down. I understood this, really I did. I took a risk along with them, and this time around, the risk didn't pay off. But the short version is that my lone little book for the most part fizzled along with the line.

At this point in my career, I turned to God with a lot of tears and anguish. What should I have done differently? Honestly, I couldn't think of a single thing. All that came to mind was an article Gina Holmes wrote in 2011 about God damming up our writing careers (Dam Isn't a Four-Letter Word). The basic idea was that sometimes, even though we are ready as writers, due to other issues in our personal or professional lives, the timing just isn't right.

Now here's the part of the story I didn't mention. Love in Three-Quarter Time was my second published novel, but it was actually the THIRD novel I'd written. In between my first historical and this one, God had laid on my heart the story of a contemporary Muslim woman living in America and her interactions with a blond ballerina wounded by church and a bi-racial hippie chick of the New Age persuasion. A story full of humor, drama, and romance, but much more issue-driven than my other novels. My husband is from the Middle East, and he works in ministry to Muslims, so this story was very special to me.

This is the book that caught my current agent's attention, even though she wasn't sure she could sell it. Evidently the publishers felt the same way, because it had a habit of sitting in committee for lengthy periods of time. Meanwhile, a part of me wasn't sure I even wanted it to sell. I didn't want to be branded as a contemporary “women's fiction” writer. Not to mention that my cross-cultural marriage seemed to be perpetually in crisis, and I wasn't sure if it would be a good career move to highlight that area of my life. Most importantly, though, I was concerned that I might draw negative attention from Muslim readers, and I just wasn't sure how safe that would be.

Around the same time that Love in Three-Quarter time released, due to my husband's involvement with Muslims, we received some threats against our family. At first we were panic-stricken, but before long we adjusted to this new reality. Consequently, my contemporary novel (which is in fact very respectful and loving towards Muslims) now seemed like the least of our problems.

Another thing changed over that year. Suddenly, “New Adult” fiction became the hot thing everyone was talking about. With my twenty something characters searching for meaning and identity, I no longer had to pigeonhole my book as women's fiction just to find a genre that fit.

So back to my publishing story. When spring of 2013 rolled around and I realized that I might not have a 2013 release, I decided to just go for it. I also work as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire Publishing, so I asked the owners if they'd like to publish my contemporary novel, Dance from Deep Within. Since Roseanna White had been my critique partner on this project and loved it from the beginning, it was a no-brainer.

Another year has past, and Dance from Deep Within released in November. I can't help but think this must have been God's plan all along. If my historical romance had been wildly successful, it would have been a bad career move for me to switch to contemporary so soon. And now I can even announce, my new contemporary novel is going to be a trilogy. I might not make tens of thousands of dollars on this project. And I still want to write historicals too. However, this was the book of my heart. 

Now, like Gina, I look back and see that God “dammed up” my career for a purpose. And is it any good? I'll leave you with Novel Rocket's own James Rubart's thoughts on the subject:

“This is not my kind of book. So when I say it went deep into my heart, you’ll know it’s a story that will impact you no matter what genre you typically read. This novel will open your eyes. You’ll start seeing the people around you in a vastly different way than you do right now. And you can’t help but be changed by the three young women who Sleiman portrays with authenticity, penetrating insight, and well crafted prose.” 

~James L. Rubart Bestselling author of Soul’s Gate, and Memory’s Door.

Dance From Deep Within

Despite her conservative Muslim heritage, Layla Al-Rai longs for a chance to earn her degree in engineering and perhaps even...dare she dream...to choose her own husband. But young women from her background rarely enjoy such freedoms. When she finally talks her parents into letting her attend college, she is drawn to fellow twenty-something students, Allie and Rain, over a class project. Allie, the blonde ballerina, faces her own struggles as she deals with an ex-fiancé and a church she had hoped to leave behind. Rain, the bi-racial hippie chick, longs for something to believe in, but her questioning could cost her the love of her life. When Layla s childhood sweetheart reenters her world, it seems her dreams might become real. Until everything falls apart. When she meets truth face to face, will she find the courage to accept it even if it requires the ultimate sacrifice? 

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How to Write the Unmarketable Novel

Not a good plan, huh? Any writer with an ounce of sense will choose to write a novel that fits the marketplace. A book that will have editors clamoring after it.

Unless, of course, said novelist has no idea about the market. Say, for example, said novelist has been a stay at home mom for the last twelve years and decides to try her hand at writing that book she always dreamed of. She has no idea what the market wants. Heck, she’s not even sure she’ll finish the novel. What she does know is that she needs to write something that excites her. Something that she would want to read. Something that will keep her typing in the middle of homeschooling and running kids to a never ending list of extra-curricular activities.

For me, it was a love story set in the middle ages. Of course I adore the world of knights, jousts, and pageants, but much more drew me to the 1300s. In that time period I saw a deep and authentic spirituality in the medieval saints that I felt would truly speak to a contemporary audience. I saw a time before our current denominational schisms and Christianese dialect where I might explore faith through new eyes. There I could set my story of finding freedom, healing, and the true meaning of love.

Strike one! I had no idea that Christian publishers weren’t looking for anything set in the medieval period. That in fact, most agents would turn down the project after one paragraph of my cover letter based on setting alone.

And I thought it would be great to write the book in first person. I love first person novels. They’re so intimate, and I figured it would help me get into the head of that fascinating heroine I planned to create.

Strike two! How was I supposed to know that the present trend in point of view runs toward a multiple limited third person perspective? I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a trend in point of view. Let’s face it, I probably would have needed to pull out my graduate creative writing texts to even remember what it meant.

Most importantly, I wanted to write a realistic novel with a fallen heroine who struggled with selfishness, sin, and sexual temptation—but that still contained a powerful spiritual message. Because, after all, that’s the book I wanted to read and almost never found.

You guessed it…Strike three!

Okay, I’ll confess I had a clue this one might be a problem based on the fact that very few of these books seemed to be available. I knew my novel would probably be too Christian for the secular market and too edgy for the Christian market. Eventually the spiritual elements took on a life of their own, and I realized I had no choice but to hope for the best in Christian publishing.

So that, my friends, is how to write the perfect unmarketable, edgy Christian, first-person, medieval novel that nobody wants to buy. But there’s an upside.

The upside is, if you do indeed want to sell this book, you can’t settle for decent. You have to work and edit and revise for years until the book is capable of overcoming all those strikes. Until people say things like, “my all time favorite book,” compare you to Geraldine Brooks or Francine Rivers, and call your writing “light rippling across water.” If, and only if, you keep working and learning and developing your novel, you just might find a company like WhiteFire crazy enough to publish it. After all, it only takes one yes. And that company might be awesome. And let you use your daughter for the cover model. And even keep your steamiest scene because they understand you’re using it to make an important spiritual point.

The journey to publishing my debut novel, Dance of the Dandelion, was not an easy one. But you know what, looking back, I can’t say I’d change a thing.

Dina Sleiman writes lyrical stories that dance with light. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children. Since finishing her Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed opportunities to teach literature, writing, and the arts. She was the Overall Winner in the 2009 Touched by Love contest for unpublished authors. Her first novel, Dance of the Dandelion, is from Whitefire Publishing, 2011. Dina is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency. She has recently become an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire as well. Join her as she discovers the unforced rhythms of 

                                               grace. For more info: http://dinasleiman.com/

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