It’s exactly the same story every year: This year the novel will finally get published! This year could truly be it. Here is how to get a book published this year. Writing a book is hard enough, however getting it published with a legitimate publisher–large or small–is where the true challenge starts. Things you will need is a Word processor, printer, envelopes and postage.

In a nutshell,

1. Complete the novel. It should go without saying, however the book should be completed just before publishers or agents would want to look at it, particularly if this is a first novel. I often recommend writing 600 to 1,200 words daily. With 800 words a day, seven days a week, a 70,000 word manuscript can be done in three months.

2. Edit, edit, edit. Then edit more. This is where writer’s groupings, workshops and professional feedback come in. A book is made or lost through the editing process. Published novels are not just edited for grammar and spelling, they’re also edited for story content, character arcs and narrative structure. A good editor often means the distinction between a published book and a stack of papers accumulating dust in the desk drawer.

3. Find an agent or even publisher. This is where literature like Writer’s Market and Literary Marketplace come in. Do a little research. Which published books are exactly like the one just completed? Who publishes that kind of book? Make a list of agents as well as publishers who might be interested in the book.

4. Query properly. The majority of agents and publishers have submission rules on their website and in publishing guides like Writers Market. Follow the guidelines precisely. Not following rules is the fastest path to the trash.

5. Wait. Yes, wait. Do more research and keep writing while waiting around. If the agent or publisher does not reply, follow up after a few weeks prior to moving on to query others.

Want more information on how to get a novel published? Then visit http://firsttimeauthors.org to find the best advice for new authors.