Welcome to episode 420! Today, it's just me, and I'm tackling one of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received since the release of my first book, If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry. And that is… “How do I get a book published?” A recent study showed that more than 80% of Americans dream of writing and publishing a book. So, in today’s conversation, I’m going to walk you through the basics of book publishing and share the tips and tricks I learned along the way. If you've ever imagined holding your own book in your hands or are just curious about the publishing world, stick around. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer idea of where to start and how the process works! 2:37 – Understanding Your Options · The different approaches to publishing · Getting an agent · Creating a book proposal 6:50 – Finding Your Team · Researching agents who specialize in your genre · Putting together your query letter · Showing agents your personality 12:03 – The Book Proposal Process · What is a book proposal? · Showing your knowledge and commitment · Sample chapters 15:49 – Self-Publishing and Hybrid Publishing · Hiring your team · Don’t forget about marketing! · Considerations for hybrid publishing 19:25 – Okay… So Where Do I Start?! · Polishing your manuscript · Having a book proposal · Defining your goals + researching options · Establishing relationships + thinking about marketing · Don’t give up! FEATURED QUOTES “If you don't hear back or you get a rejection, you can't let it discourage you. Tons of successful, famous authors have received multiple rejections before finding the right fit. So, you are not alone. It is part of the process.” “The writing community in general is incredibly supportive and has been vital in my own process.” “Publishing a book, writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint…Rejections are going to happen. Timelines are going to change. Things are not going to go the way that you want them to go, but you have to keep going. You have to have that end goal in mind and focus on the end result that you're really, really looking for, because that part is incredibly rewarding.” Punchline Agency https://punchlineagency.com/ Hope Writers https://www.hopewriters.com/ Connect with me: http://www.stillbeingmolly.com http://instagram.com/stillbeingmolly http://instagram.com/canilaughpod http://twitter.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/stillbeingmolly http://facebook.com/canilaughpod http://tiktok.com/@stillbeingmolly GET YOUR COPY of ‘IF I DON’T LAUGH, I’LL CRY” TODAY: Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/IIDLICbn Amazon: https://amzn.to/48VYFkG ChristianBook: https://bit.ly/IIDLICcb Target: https://bit.ly/3Shh3Q2 Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MmGVpJ Indie Bound: https://bit.ly/IIDLICib Audible: https://amzn.to/3ITcdm8 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ITaSvv About Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast is a weekly podcast where we have honest conversations about faith, business, life, and everything in between. Hosted by speaker and author, Molly Stillman, her mission is to make you laugh, cry, and laugh till you cry. She wants to create a community of people who are unafraid to be themselves and have honest conversations about the things that matter most. Her vision is to create a safe space for people to explore their faith and share their stories and gifts with the world.