Writers approach me, describe their book or send me a sample and ask “Is this publishable work? Do I have a best-seller? Tell me the truth!”

I can tell you if I think your idea has market potential. I can tell you whether I laughed or  cried and wanted to keep reading your manuscript.

But then people say, again, “Tell me the truth. It’s okay, I can handle it. Does this book deserve to be published?”

So here is the truth. Books, like people, do not get the fate they deserve. Horrible books have won readers.  Astonishingly good books remain unpublished and unread.

I usually say, “Would you be glad you wrote this book if you knew no publisher will buy it?”

It happened to me. My agent loved my book and was confident she could sell it–but six months later no publisher had signed on.

In the past, the story ended there. You might look for another agent to represent that particular book. You might self-publish, as I did, on Lulu and later through Amazon. I was delighted to see my book in paperback and hardcover and e-reader form, and pleased by many positive responses from readers. My name did not become famous nor my pockets fill. But I am still glad I did it.

You have an advantage if you can sell your book to a name-brand publisher, but big sales are only likely if that publishing house decides to turn you and your book into a star. The publishing world–not readers–decide who wins this game.

Occasionally we hear about self-published books that rise via word of mouth. One way or another, you will need a good book, luck, and time to do considerable publicity.

As the publishing world changes, the best advice to writers hasn’t changed. Write a book because you want to. Try to get it to readers any way you can. Don’t count on justice.