Some of the most important things I’ve learned over the past year of writing and publishing are

1. The first (or fifteenth) draft is not ready. It needs an editor.
2. There are many editorial passes (characters, plot, sensory, place, continuity, tone, tightening up, grammar, spelling, formatting, design)
3. A beta reader is worth their weight in gold. They answer questions:
• What was unbelievable, in context of the story
• What was confusing?
• What did you want to see more of?
• What was cool?
4. Follow the directions of the publishing house – if you don’t, it will not ever get past the mail clerk. Margins, font, spacing, cover letter, synopsis (1000 words max – some prefer 350-500), elevator pitch (Firefly = A western, in space)
5. The content of a book needs to (mostly) be in the same voice (1st person, 3rd person – it’s rarer than you’d think that it switches at all)
6. Research is important – tell the reader where/when they are, get the facts right, especially historical facts need to be accurate)
7. The story needs to be marketable – it needs to fit an exact niche
8. Sensory information is important (taste, sound, smell, touch, sight)
9. Characters have motivation, feelings, internal voices. Use them.
10. Place can also be a character in a story.