What next?

[violetnancyboy.livejournal.com]

Hello everybody. I have been a member for a while but this is my first post. I have recently finished writing a novel. I'm very happy with it , it's solid, lacks awful story crevices and I believe in it. I'd say the style is dystopian soft science fiction. I was just wondering what should I do now? That may seem like a strange question but how do I go about getting my novel out there? I've focused on writing for so many years that I'm not sure what to do now.

Any help would be appreciated.

Danielle.

Comments

[chocolateteacup.livejournal.com]

Not a constructive comment as such (ok, maybe a little), but I am in a similar situation. I'm working on polishing a novel at the moment and wondering what I want to do with it next. I've worked too hard to just let it rot slowly on my laptop, but I don't fancy writing to publishers etc etc. I suppose if I want to publish a novel I have to do that, but I don't fancy it.

Has anyone else read your novel? I would suggest asking a friend (someone you trust to be honest, brutally so if they have to be) to read it and to tell you what they think. You may be happy with it, but your friend might see something you don't, a plot hole you think you've mended, but haven't, or a character motive you haven't been as clear as you think you have. Is there a writing group or book reading group near to you? It may be scary, but it might be worth considering asking a book group to read your novel for you and see what they think. If not there are plenty of critique circles online.

[starlight83.livejournal.com]

I second the recommendation above. Get other people to read it, critique it, and get it as polished as humanly possible.

For an intro on how to get into the business, I like: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2008/04/how-to-find-literary-agent.html

[lenaf007.livejournal.com]

Hi Danielle,

I'm sort of at the same stage as you on this. I also finished my first novel recently and then got three bookish friends to read & critique it for me. I'm not expecting to hear back from them for a few months, but then I'll revise and edit based on their feedback.

After that, I recommend searching for an agent. SFWA has a bunch of really good articles on this:
http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/information-center/

Specifically their Agent Etiquette section:
http://www.sfwa.org/category/agent-etiquette/

Hope this helps!

Yay2

[dreamerdaily.livejournal.com]

Deleted post was mine. I missed where the person above recommended agent etiquette. Re-post and edit...

First of all, congratulations on finishing! <3<3

I do second what everyone else has said. As much critique as humanly possible. Miss Snark has a good blog for the dos and do -NOT-s as far as the realm of agent etiquette goes. :) She's also quite awesome and a good read.

Good luck, and congrats again!