5 Things I Didn't Know About Getting Published by Raquel Byrnes

Today, we have a treat. A special guest. Author Raquel Byrnes who wrote the newly released novel called Purple Knot is here to tell us a thing or two about getting published.  Thanks for stopping by, Raquel.

Raquel Byrnes lives in Southern, California with her husband of sixteen years and their six children. She considers inspirational fiction a wonderful way to minister to others. She writes romantic suspense with an edge-your-seat pace. Her first book the Shades of Hope Series, Purple Knot, releases on June 3rd from White Rose Publishing. You can visit her at her website: www.raquelbyrnes.com and her writing blog, Edge of Your Seat Romance.

5 Things I Didn’t Know About Getting Published

by Raquel Byrnes

It’s the holy grail of writing. Seeing your book in print is every author’s dream. Elusive for so long, what I learned about getting published once it happened came as a surprise.  Here a few things I’d like to share with you.

·         It takes a long time. Not kidding. A long time. I used to think that signing with an agent meant publication was just around the corner. Not so much. It may take a year or more to find a home for your manuscript and then the real waiting begins.

·         The editorial process isn’t as painful as I’d feared. I used to hear horror stories about evil editors with blood-red pens slashing the life out of stories. This couldn’t be further from the truth. They want you to succeed. They want to help you make your book better, tighter, more compelling. Let them.

·         Your proposal informs a lot of what marketing says about your book. This was my biggest surprise. The blurbs and taglines you create all get used both by your agent and the publisher for your media kit. From back cover text to book trailer snippets, your words help to sell your novel, so make sure your proposal is amazing.

·         You have to learn marketing. No matter the size of the publisher from big box to small imprint, you need to educate yourself. How to give great interviews. How to deal with bookstore owners. How to connect with readers. These are all important skills, and you have to teach them to yourself.

·         It’s not the finish line. One book release does not a career make. You have to keep producing for your agent and the publisher. Get on a schedule. Write your ideas down and find the time to keep writing.

Publication is only as wonderful as your outlook. It’s not about numbers or validation. It’s about achieving a dream and sharing your love of storytelling. I’ve learned to keep in mind why I started this crazy journey in the first place.

It’s the love of creating worlds and characters, a passion to tell a riveting tale, and my need to write no matter what.

When her best friend, is murdered, Reyna Cruz doesn't believe the police have the whole story. An investigator by trade, she has the talent to track Summer’s killer, but when clues lead to a family connection and a vicious gang, she suddenly becomes the hunted. At the end of her rope, Reyna must decide to trust the God she believes abandoned her.

Wanting justice for his sister’s murder, lawyer Jimmy Corbeau agrees to help Reyna—even though she’s his ex-fiancé, and their break-up devastated him. Romance is reawakened, but so are memories of their tragic undoing. Jimmy must decide if he will fight for a future with Reyna or allow their past to derail the investigation and his second chance at love.

When the investigation goes awry and Summer’s infant daughter is kidnapped, Reyna must put her life on the line. Will Jimmy and Reyna survive the desperate measures it takes to recover his niece, catch a killer, and secure a happily-ever-after for them all?

 

Thanks again, Raquel!  Good luck on your new release!