How NOT to Get Published

This essential guide for aspiring authors tackles the publishing industry from a refreshingly practical angle, focusing on the common submission errors and strategic missteps that derail even brilliant manuscripts. Claire Gillman provides a clear-eyed look at the minefield of finding a publisher, detailing how to avoid the basic mistakes that prevent your work from even reaching the right person. It’s a masterclass in professional presentation, teaching you how to craft a compelling query and articulate your book's unique proposition and target market with precision. This is the unvarnished truth about what agents and editors actually look for, and more importantly, what makes them stop reading.

Gillman’s advice is distinctive because it’s rooted in the realities of the acquisition process, offering a preventative roadmap instead of just generic encouragement. Writers who have faced repeated rejection will find this book particularly illuminating, as it diagnoses the subtle flaws in approach that often go unnoticed. By learning what not to do, you gain the clarity and confidence to build a submission that stands out for the right reasons. This book effectively reframes the quest for publication from a hopeful gamble into a strategic, winnable endeavor.