If I had to point to one secret to my success in publishing my first novel, it was my patience. I didn’t even consider sending query letters to agents until I’d already published five or six short stories in literary journals and had a completed manuscript I was proud of. I probably went through four or five MAJOR edits of the novel on my own, and all told, probably read and edited the whole thing 100 times before I allowed anyone else to see it. No, that wasn’t hyperbole–literally 100 times.

All told, from the time I started sending out stories, it took me about ten years to have a book in hand.

For fiction, the process is to send short stories (or self-contained chapters) to literary journals with a small circulation (500 or so, or these days, online), and then build your resume until you work is being published in
larger journals.

I highly recommend subscribing to Poets and Writers magazine to immerse yourself in the world of writing and publishing, as well as the Writer’s Digest series: it’s how I found the literary magazines I submitted to, and how I ultimately found my agent (and now friend) Wendy Sherman. If you want to read more,
 Here‘s an interview with the Jet Fuel Review where I talk about publishing (among other things.)

Have faith, and good luck!