You’ve written your manuscript—congratulations! Completing a book is a huge accomplishment and I hope you are taking the time to celebrate!

Now, you might be wondering what is next? Time to start submitting your book to publishers? Great idea! But before you hit “send” on that submission email, there are a few critical steps to ensure your work is polished, professional, and ready for agents, publishers, or contests. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing your manuscript for submission.

If you’re looking to publish a book, particularly in the traditional publishing world, a strong book proposal is your ticket to success. Think of it as your pitch to literary agents and publishers—a roadmap that outlines why your book matters, who it’s for, and why you’re the person to write it. Crafting a book proposal that sells requires strategy, clarity, and a dash of creativity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create a proposal that stands out.

If you write a book and no one reads it, did the book ever exist? Okay, that might be a little extreme, but many writers share a goal: to get published. While writing a book is a journey in itself, there comes a time when every author asks, “How do I publish my book?”