So I’ve had a number of people email and ask about how I got published (and, by extension, how can they get published). I’ll outline here how I personally got published since so many people have asked about it. Please keep in mind that everyone’s path to publication is completely different. So my story likely won’t be particularly helpful to you.
The first step is the obvious one. I wrote a book and revised it until I was fairly happy with it (I say ‘fairly happy’ because you’ll never be completely happy with a book…there’s always something you find that you’d change or add every time you read it…but at some point you have to stop and say ‘okay, enough, time to send it out’). I then researched agents and publishers I thought might be a good fit for my book. I also asked author friends for their recommendations (I knew a lot of people from reviewing books at my website, Young Adult (& Kids!) Books Central).
I submitted to agents first, always following the appropriate guidelines (some want a synopsis and a cover letter only, some want that plus 3 chapters, some want only a letter, etc. etc.). For the most part, all of the agents I submitted to liked my writing but didn’t think vampires were a good bet at that point (this was in 2005 before Twilight made it big).
I was actually about to give up on the book and was working on some other projects when a friend of mine said that her editor was looking for paranormal YA. She introduced me to my (to-be) editor and I sent off the appropriate letters and materials. We went back and forth for a while and I provided information as requested (like analyzing where my book would fit in the marketplace). After a while, the publisher decided they wanted to buy my book. This was in July of 2007. We then went into the revision process, which went on for a number of months.
And that’s pretty much it.
Like I said, everyone’s path is different. Some people find an agent first. Some a publisher. Some never get an agent. There are all kinds of great magazines and website resources out there for aspiring writers.
Good luck to all you aspiring writers out there. Always remember — write! Then write some more. 