How to Get Your First Book Published

There has to be an easier way to break into the world of the published author.  Time after time I hear the same thing…..”we don’t accept manuscripts from unpublished authors”…ok, I get it.  Next you hear “you can self publish”, but honestly, it is expensive and it feels like jumping ship without a life jacket.  Like all new authors, I have a manuscript that I need to have read by someone who is willing to take the chance on me.  The book is short, easy reading, and a bit “colorful” in content….but it is funny and HEY….who doesn’t like a good laugh now and then? 

I know publishers and editors are over-loaded with manuscripts.  I envision their desks piled high with packets of unread “books” from newbies like me who “swear” they have the next best thing between two covers….I am sure they would rather “bet” on the JK Rowlings or Anne Rices or Stephen Kings….but they too were new at one time.  How did THEY break into this field?  Does anyone know?  Does anyone out there have any advice on what the best course of action should be? 

At this moment, my manuscript is sitting on a publishers desk in New York.  I sent the “book” to them in July and have heard nothing.  I know the manuscript takes about 3 days to read (I said it was short)…..the “No News Is Good News” does not work on manuscripts….No News means “they hate it”…at least that is what I have convinced myself of.

Any advice or input from anyone reading this would be awesome.

If I DO make it to the book shelves of Barnes and Noble or the discount table at Costco I will be sure to Blog it here on Triond.com so all of you who gave me direction will know to watch for me on the next episode of Oprah…hahahahahhha.  Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?

Keep writing my friends….we might not be on the NY Times best sellers list by blogging on this site, but at least we know our voices are being heard.