So how do you get a book published? Many things can happen twixt the writing and holding a copy of the printed book in your hands. It’s really not easy – first there is the lengthy process of writing the material and then there’s the even longer process of finding an outlet. 

I began my quest almost four years ago. For me the most obvious partner in the exercise had to be good old Aunty ABC with whom I’d shared such a long history. But sadly, ABC Books no longer existed and the new distributors showed little interest in the project, so I approached a Melbourne publisher. Sounding enthusiastic on the phone, she suggested that I send 50 pages of excerpts, promising that she would get back with a decision post-haste. Being an old-fashioned soul, I did the honourable thing and waited for her reply; after nine months of silence, I gave up.

By now I was feeling a little insecure and a wee bit gun-shy, but I thought third time lucky, and contacted another publisher. It was only a short time later that I received an effusive e-mail exclaiming how much the publisher had enjoyed my stories and couldn’t wait to read more. 

I replied that I was thrilled to get such positive feedback after my years in the wilderness. Almost immediately she emailed again, apologising for ‘jumping the gun’: she had pitched the book to her sales and marketing team who weren’t so keen. She explained that her youthful team weren’t around for Aunty Jack, and had suggested to her that a lot of the buyers stocking shelves in bookshops and producing radio and television shows may not have heard of me either. She did, however, soften the blow by suggesting that when the book was released she would certainly buy a copy. In reply, I generously offered her a 10 per cent discount.

It was April 2011 before I dared air my wares again. This time I contacted a publisher that I’d met socially. Her name was Phillipa McGuinness and she was with NewSouth Publishing. I explained how I’d almost given up on the book and was now using the material for a one-man show. Much to my delight, after reading my excerpts and getting feedback from others within her company, Phillipa came back with an offer to publish. Obviously NewSouth Publishing had seniors working in their sales and marketing department.

I immediately went into overdrive and delivered the final manuscript in record time. Things moved quickly and by September of the same year I received the final printed copy of the book. 

Publishing doesn’t have to be a nightmare, but to succeed you have to be incredibly persistent and very resilient to rejection; but more importantly you need self-belief and confidence in your writing. If you’re lucky, you may connect with a publisher who can recognise a good story and will be brave enough not to be swayed by fashion or fluctuating marketing trends. I was blessed: it only took me three years to find an interested party … and in the scheme of things for a first timer, that’s a record. 

Grahame Bond is the author of Jack of all Trades, Mistress of One, published by NewSouth.