Getting Published: How to hook an agent, get a deal & build a career you love

by Harry Bingham

Your complete guide to getting published in 2021. Includes absolutely everything you need to know about how to prepare your manuscript, get an agent, sign a contract, manage the publishing process - and market your work. "This is a book written by someone who knows what he's talking about. Even better, it's written by someone who enjoys what he's writing about and it shows. It is simply and clearly written, with an underlying sense of fun throughout."-- Amazon reader review. you’ve written a book and you want to get it published. That means you need to know about getting your manuscript prepped for submissions. You need to know about literary agents, and query letters, and synopses, and book proposals. You need to know what happens if an agent comes back with an acceptance - and what happens if they say, ‘I liked it, but …’ You need to know about agent contracts as well as publishing contracts. And you need to know about the market for books, because that’s the market which will determine your future as a writer. But that’s not all. You need to know about how to work with publishers though editing, design, marketing and publicity. What publishers want from those processes isn’t always the same as what YOU want and you have to know when to play nice and when to insist on changes. You have to understand what you can do to market your books effectively – and in a way that works for the person you are. All of that in a publishing market that’s been changing faster than any time in history. And you’re a reader as well and you don’t want a tedious textbook crammed with wholesome but indigestible facts. You want a book that feels like a friendly, authoritative and humorous companion on your journey. Finally, you want (and need) the voice of experience. The voice of an author who has been much published himself – and someone who (as boss of Jericho Writers) has helped thousands of writers on their journey to publication. On your side from start to finish, this book has been written for you - and with your goal of publication in mind. From one writer to another – good luck. Table of Introduction Part Getting Ready Motives and Expectations Is your book ready to go? How to assemble a proposal Which agent? Which Publisher? Protecting your copyright Manuscript presentation Titles, opening lines, opening chapters Query letters The synopsis Part Planet Agent Approaching agents and publishers Communications from planet agent An introduction to planet agent Things to ask an agent Signing up with an agent Part How the book trade works The Market for books Part Getting your book deal A publisher’s offer Choosing your publisher Advances, rights and royalties Your publishing contract Libel and other routes to bankruptcy Privacy law Towards world domination Part Towards production Working with publishers Editorial Cover design and title

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2020

About the author

Harry Bingham is best known for his Fiona Griffiths crime series, which has drawn rave reviews from critics, authors and readers alike.

If you've read and enjoyed one of Harry's books, make diddle-darn sure that you've signed up to the Fiona Griffiths Readers Club, by hopping right over here:
http://www.harrybingham.com/lev-in-gl...

You'll get a free, lovely welcome gift - and you'll be the very first to know when Fiona Griffiths is back with a further adventure . . .

Reviews

[Karmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in-depth & comprehensive (dare I say a must) book for all 'to be writers'. One of those rare gems that both educates & entertains. Highly recommended.

[Rick Yagodich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Bingham certainly knows a thing or three about getting published. He has been published – as both a fiction and non-fiction author, variously – by all the old-school major houses. He has also, through Jericho Writers, helped many others on their path to publication.

This book contains the full story of publication, from an author’s completion of a manuscript, through representation to securing a deal, and then all the hazards of authorly life thereafter: legal considerations, editorial, design, marketing, publicity and pricing, and also the strange step-down between hardback and paperback, the challenges of a two-book deal, the consequences of the system on expected advances for future books. Harry doesn’t pull his punches in calling out the trade for its failure to move with the times, but also refrains from telling people to blindly rush into self-publication (and thus, we can hope, tempering the overload of not-ready-for-publication books that are flooding the digital marketplace).

Why, then, do I withhold one star in my rating of this book?

In the section on non-fiction work, Harry talks about voice, about not trying to be funny unless one is naturally so. Yet the first half of this book is littered with Harry’s own desperate attempts at humour, more often than not falling flat. It reads as an attempt to come across as personable, like a friend talking to you about these things in the pub. For me, that voice doesn’t work. It feels forced.

Likewise, throughout the book, almost every chapter felt like it went on too long. Not that I could easily have called out lines or sections that were repetitious, but I suspect the whole book could – with more effort – have been shortened by 20%. Probably at the expense of that irritating-to-me convivial voice.

Also, this book is a rework of Harry’s previous book on the subject, expanded with information about the world of (Amazon-driven) self-publishing, and digital-first publishing. It feels like the first half is mostly as it was in that earlier version, and the second written from scratch. (This comes across in the prevalence of attempted humour.) It feels like it has been written by two different people, one with a decade more experience in wordsmithing.

Based on an Advanced Review Copy of the book.

[Jared Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-publishing has treated me well, but as I gear towards releasing my magnum opus novel (The Lamb Prophecy), the thought of a more traditional route plucked at my stringy mind. Should I chase an agent? Should I sell my firstborn to a publishing company? What would serve the book better? Am I sabotaging my potential by refusing entry into my precious creative bubble? How do I safely find out? Can Harry Bingham answer my questions? Yes! He can!

One element I appreciate about writers who write about writing is that they're good writers. Harry Bingham is one such good writer, taking a dry topic on paper and then sharpening it with a love of the craft before softening it with a humorous padding. Especially regarding a publishing book, Bingham effortlessly proves he's one of us simply by constantly pitching his other (impressive!) sales products. As a fellow author, I respect the hustle. That said, he earns this advertising space by presenting easy-to-follow facts detailing the complete process of the industry from back to front, more thoroughly than I'd dare to desire. He knows exactly what is going on, and almost all the information was new to me.

NEVERTHELESS, I wasn't particularly convinced. What this book succeeded in, above everything else, was to depress me. The traditional author dream appears dead, and the more I learn about the business, the less I want to be a part of it. I am fortunate to have one prosperous title to my name, and by general reports, the money I've made from it is far higher than I can expect from any advance. More importantly, I maintain full command over my projects. I can tweak them, edit the covers, and place as much attention on each while mapping out the analytics to a pedantic degree. With a publishing company, I trade all of that and for what? To potentially see my babies in bookstores? To get some reviews in a column I don't read? Nah. If publishing companies hold double the knowledge I have, I can still beat them by quadrupling the hours I put into each publication. Even Harry Bingham's text struggles to oppose Amazon as a platform that rises above the competition in so many factors.

Through my eyes, the war was won a long time ago, and the thought of relinquishing my independent control rubs against my gut lining. This path is not for me; I sense it in the soil of my soul. On that same token, it wouldn't hurt to flirt, right? Dipping my pen in just to see? Maybe an important person wearing an expensive suit would validate my writing ability? That would feel nice. Yet, I'm sure the moment someone said "Yes," I'd quickly respond with "No." A piece of me always knew this, but Getting Published helped shove the nail deep in there, and I am grateful for such clarity. Plus, I learned a ton of valuable stuff regardless.

[Nnell Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I have been vacillating between self-publishing and traditional publishing. To say the least, I found traditional publishing complicated, but this book helped me better understand the process than I did before. This book had a no-nonsense quality about it that I appreciated. It had its moments of humor as well as common sense and helpful information. I found the book informative, interesting, and it was encouraging to have some of the mysteries cleared up. Thanks, Harry Bingham, for a good book that will help if I finally decide which way to go with my work. CSA

[Alice Missions · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book answers all those questions you felt too daft to ask about publishing. Bingham shares his 20 odd years of experience as a writer in a matter-of-fact, humorous and engaging way. He does not pretend that this book will solve all your writing problems and never shies away from how tough the publishing busy is, but this approach is refreshing rather than demoralising. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering traditionally publishing their work.

[Jhonkar Sufia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep and experienced insight on every step of traditional publishing

Frankly, I have no way to confirm that everything I read was true, beacuse I have yet to get published. But Harry's background as an author and at jericho writers makes you really consider his experience.

Also, as a new writer, it was enlightening to get to know every aspect of publishing in such depth. I'm really thankful for this book, and will surely look at it again in the near future.

[K. M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...just wow. This book is everything you could possible want when dipping your toe in the stormy publishing waters. It’s almost too much, but used as an as-needed guide, it’s perfect.

Mr Bingham covers everything from manuscript presentation, researching and finding that agent to best represent your work, and query letters to what to do when you get that publishers offer, taxes, and that 2nd book deal.

Definitely recommend for every aspiring and seasoned writers book shelf.

[Wendy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the bible for anyone who has ever wanted to see their book on a shelf (or on an e-reader).
Practical, down-to-earth advice delivered in Harry Bingham's inimitable style. Clear, precise and with a touch of humour.
Whether you wish to follow the traditional route, or self-publish, this book covers everything from the submission package to becoming a published author.
A must have for any wannabe author.

[MK Whiting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ton of Information

I read this book as a novel at first. Skimming the parts I won't do it will do in the future.
It is written by someone with a vested interest in a company that can help for a few.
Putting that aside he did a great job staying neutral on many parts.
Overall a great resource to have.

[Beth Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as I gleaned priceless tips how to get published and manage the wild ride that is traditional publishing. I recommend this book to all authors whether they plan to self publish and/or publish traditionally.

["Cyril' (David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books on this topic, this by far is the best resource I have encountered.

[Bushra Kassouma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply brilliant book.

[Amanda Steel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative book with lots of helpful advice and insight on the publishing industry.