When you have a manuscript that is ready for an audience, you have to make a decision about what route to follow. Today there are many publishing options.
Find an Agent
One of the more traditional routes to publication is to submit your manuscript to agents (who are accepting new clients). This route requires identifying agents most likely to appreciate your work and then putting together a submission that will win them over.
To get a nonfiction manuscript accepted by an agent, you need to create a proposal that details what your book is about, why the world needs it, who your targeted audience is, and why you’re the right person to write the manuscript (this may include details about your platform).
To get a fiction manuscript accepted, you generally need to create an elevator pitch, a longer pitch, and a summary of the plot. These materials accompany your completed manuscript or a section thereof (it depends on the agent).
In all cases, never submit a manuscript that is in bad shape. Make sure anything you submit is professionally copyedited and in its best possible form.
Find a Publisher
You can skip the agent step and try to make contact with a publisher directly. This is very difficult to do, especially if you are looking to land a big publisher. Many publishers won’t even look at manuscripts they didn’t ask to see. But certain startup presses, smaller presses, and university presses will accept submissions.
Self-Publish
In the 21st century, self-publishing is very common. The industry is full of self-publishing options and you will need to do your research to make sure you’re going in the right direction for your book.
You can, for example, opt to participate in a print-on-demand program such as BookBaby, Lulu, IngramSpark, or Blurb. In this type of arrangement, your manuscript only gets printed when someone orders it.
You might also opt for a digital-only program, such as those offered by Kindle, Kobo, Apple, or Barnes & Noble.
If you self-publish and opt to finance a print run, expect to pay a considerable amount of money. With that investment you will not get everything you would get from a publisher. Shop around when looking for a self-publishing printer. Some companies will offer services such as cover design, light editing, basic marketing, and limited distribution, but others are more bare bones. Read the fine print so you know what you’re going to get and not get for the price.
Please note that when you are not working with a publisher but publishing on your own, you will often need to take responsibility for many aspects of publication including cover design, ISBN number registration, book formatting, copyediting, marketing, and distribution. You definitely don’t want to go to the trouble of publishing your book but do so unprofessionally, creating a book that’s unattractive, unreadable, unknown, and impossible to find. Know your strengths and get help in the areas where you’re not so strong.