Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we’re saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I’m Lauren Smyth, and today I’m celebrating the release of my fourth science fiction novel, Warsafe. The plot in the most basic terms is real-life video game, but neither the players nor the characters know it.
Here’s an overview of the book publishing process. Once you’ve written and self-edited the manuscript, you have to write a query letter. This is like a cover letter for a job. It explains what the book is about, why someone might want to read it, and why you’re the right person to write it. Typically, you’ll also need a play-by-play synopsis of what happens in the book, a summary of the plot for the back cover, and an author bio.
All this goes to your publisher or, if you have one, your literary agent. If you don’t have either, you can use platforms like QueryManager to cold-call publishers and agents.
Once it’s accepted, the book goes through about a year’s worth of editing, typesetting, cover design, and more. The process of writing a book, from start to finish, takes about three years—if you’re quick.
That’s your Grammar Minute! To learn more about Warsafe, visit laurensmythbooks.com—and that’s Smyth spelled with a Y.