The hard truth, AJ, is that publishing isn't as easy as you make it out to be. Only 2% of manuscripts sent to publishers and agents will ever be published. That alone should tell you how hard it is. If this story isn't your best work then why do you think a publisher would want to pay you for it? They don't. They have many great writers who are submitting their best work, and they will be chosen over you. Don't submit anything BUT your best.
Self-publishing won't help unless you've sold at least 5,000 copies of your book. If you haven't sold that many then forget about even mentioning that you're a published author when you communicate with publishers and agents. Most don't see self-publishing or vanity publishing as a publishing credit. That's the hard truth. If you just want to self-publish for fun, go right ahead. Use a pen name so that you don't ruin you real name (and reputation) with your badly written work. You can also publish it on ereaders like Kindle and Kobo, etc.
If you write short stories, try that route for awhile. If you can get your work published in legit, paying magazines then you can use it as a publishing credit. It's extremely hard to get published in a reputable mag, but if you keep trying and improving your writing then you might make it. Stephen King got his first story published when he was a teen. Cory Doctorow also got his first short story published when he was 16. They didn't get their first short stories published. They had to keep writing stories, sending them off, getting rejected, more writing, sending, and all the while honing their writing skill in the process. They improved with each story they wrote. However, both didn't get a novel published until they were in their 20s.
It would be a waste of time to send off bad writing to a publisher. Put it in a drawer and move on to the next project. I finally decided to give up on the very first novel I completed because the writing is so bad that no would ever think about buying it. IN fact, I'm too ashamed to even show it to family and friends. My writing has drastically improved since writing that first novel that I'm much better off working on something new (which I've been doing). It would take a whole lot of rewriting to make that first novel into something decent. Just know when to give up and when to keep going at it.How to get the attention of publishing companies for my novel?
If its not your full potential, don't send it out until it is. Publishing is extremely difficult and competitive. Only your best work will even be considered. If your serious about writing and want to get any sort of real recognition from your work, traditional publishing is the way to go. Self-publishing won't do anything for you but get your book in print. You probably won't sell enough copies to even pay back the printing costs, and no one is really going to take the book seriously because anybody---even my dog---can self-publish.
Make sure your manuscript is finished and you've gone through and revised/edited it several times before you send it anywhere. Pick up the most recent copy of 'Writers Market' from your library or bookstore. There's a great section about how to get published in there, and there are also hundreds of listings for agents and publishers. Follow their submission guidelines exactly and don't get discouraged by rejection. There's a lot to learn about publishing and I highly suggest you do some more research. Writers Market is a good place to start.How to get the attention of publishing companies for my novel?
Self-publishing is an excellent way to get your novel published and seen by other publishers. My own story self-publishing a book is just one example. I self-published a cookbook, got a TON of reviews for it (see Good Home Cookbook on Amazon) and then landed a NY agent who landed me a NY publisher and the rest is history. The key for fiction is to get TESTIMONIALS; reviews of you novel. There is a tipping point here--simple word of mouth--that will spread if your novel is that good. You must make the opinions about your novel known to the world by posting them on Amazon, your book's website, and through strategic social networking. Self-publishing is highly effective for that. You will need to invest by printing 100-400 copies of your book and give them out for FREE in exchange for an honest review. Avoid on-demand publishers who control your rights and offer royalties. True self-publishing is do-it-yourself. I did it and so can you. You just need a little creativity and a lot of belief... and a good read. Good luck! Rick Perry
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