Don’t dive into an already saturated market. While historical romances or children’s stories about animals may be your forte, successfully breaking into an already flooded market is nearly impossible. Find a way to diversify yourself and your writing. What sets you apart as a writer? How can you market yourself and your work in a way that is unique and attention getting? Can you tweak your writing a little bit to appeal to another, less flooded, market? It’s important to have a specific audience in mind when writing anything. You must be able to identify to an agent or editor what specific market you’re writing for. Remember, you’ll hit a bull’s eye much easier using a rifle than a shotgun.

Don’t be hesitant to start small. Try writing a few articles for a local paper or smaller publication first. You’ll learn how to develop your voice as a writer while learning some of the ins and outs of the publishing industry. Plus, you’ll have examples of published works or “clips” to include in your resume or proposals in the future, which are a huge selling point with many publishers.

Don’t forget that you’re selling yourself. While your writing itself is what editors will look at first, many publishers want someone who can offer a whole package. Personality sells books as much as talent, sometimes. Show publishers that you’re willing and able to self-promote. Any media connections you have or well-known people you know can make you look more appealing to publishers.

Becoming a published writer is an exhilarating and amazing experience. While it does take perseverance, dedication, and a tremendous amount of work, the feeling you get when you see your words in print for the first time far outweighs the work you’ve put into your career. By following a few guidelines, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort in your pursuit of publication.