5 Steps to Take After Completing Your First Novel

You have finally done it – after months or years of dedicated hard work, you have at long last reached the end of the novel-writing process. Sure, there might be some slight grammatical issues here and there, but it surely feels good to have the story out of your brain and onto the page.

So, what comes next? You might want to rush into contacting publishing houses or sending the novel to your entire social circle, but it’s best to take a step back and actually think carefully about your next goals. While there are no rules to what you can now do with your completed work, what you do now has a serious impact on how it enters the world.

That being said, here are 5 steps to take after completing your first novel. These are especially useful if you plan on getting as many people to read your work as possible (as well as, hopefully, make some money from all your hard work and creativity).

1. Leave it Alone

The story is still fresh in your mind. The characters and settings are likely still swirling around your everyday thoughts, and you are likely questioning some of the decisions you have made. At this stage, the best thing to do is take a big step back and leave the novel alone – at least for a short while.

It might sound easy, but, as most writers know, it is anything but. It can be tempting to double-check the timeline of a particular chapter or scour the words for small errors, but avoid doing this for now.

By leaving the work alone for a while, you can return to it with a fresh pair of eyes, which helps you take in the work better and notice any glaring mistakes. Even just a couple of weeks away from the novel is enough for this.

2. Start Editing

It’s the part that most writers dread: the editing stage. The best way to tackle editing is to break it up into different parts. There’s the obvious part of correcting grammar, but more importantly, look closely at the structure, foreshadowing, themes, and character development. One key part of editing is ensuring it all makes sense – if a character leaves in one scene but then magically appears again, that’s something to flag and change.

3. Ask the Right People for Feedback

That auntie you know and love but who hasn’t read a book in years is likely not the best person to ask feedback from. In general, asking any non-writer friends or family to read your work and provide helpful feedback isn’t the best option, as they will likely only tell you how wonderful it is, and that’s if they even read it to begin with!

Luckily, there are plenty of places online where you can find people more than willing to read your novel and provide feedback, such as the Goodreads Beta Readers Group or on online community subreddits on Reddit. Often, you will need to read others’ work and provide them with your feedback, too.

Of course, that does not completely rule out sending your work to friends or family – just be aware that not everyone will read it, and don’t expect any useful feedback from anyone who isn’t as immersed in writing and storytelling as yourself.

4. Research Different Types of Publishing

The chances are you want to get your novel published. It makes sense, as a published novel means a greater chance of your novel being read. Plus, you can start earning money. At this stage, it’s best to research different types of publishing before setting your heart on one way.

• Traditional Publishing: Traditional publishing is when you submit your manuscript to a publishing house. If they accept your work, they will cover all production costs, including marketing and distribution (making this a very popular option). Of course, you have to battle the low acceptance rates. Many writers have to deal with rejection not just one, but dozens and perhaps even more during their careers. It’s also worth thinking about big vs small publishers – both of which have their pros and cons.
• Self Publishing: This is a method that has significantly increased in popularity over the years, with the UK seeing a 68% growth in self publishing in just five years. While it involves covering all your own costs, such as book printing and marketing, it does mean you have greater creative control.
• Publishing on OpenLeaf: If you’re looking for a way to grow your audience and make money – all while keeping 100% of the rights for your work – publishing your novel right here on OpenLeaf is the way to go. On OpenLeaf, you can quickly and easily publish your work online and build a dedicated following, giving you the chance to find your audience and receive feedback for your work.

The type of publishing you choose will depend on you, your work, your goals, and your target audience.

5. Celebrate!

After all the hours you have poured into completing the novel – the worldbuilding, the character arcs, the time spent editing – it’s time to celebrate your achievement. Writing a book is no small feat. Even if it’s an early, choppy draft, it’s still incredible that you managed to get a story out of your head and form it into words. So, celebrate and treat yourself!