How do you get started as a novelist? How do you write a novel? What do you do with it once it’s finished? And how do you get a career as a novelist off the ground? Most honest novelists will attribute some combination of talent, hard work and luck in their success, but each of these qualities can be nurtured with a little guidance. With clear and honest insight, author and publisher Jon Sealy shares his own story of how fiction works, from writing the first draft to building a multi-book career. In this short book, you will learn: How to write your first draft - The basics of point of view, character development and structure - Tips for making your scenes come to life - An overview of publishing - What a novelist's career looks like in the 21st century Part memoir, part craft analysis, this book breaks apart the elements of fiction and explores one writer’s path from student to professional. Aspiring writers will find a toolkit for understanding fiction—and a roadmap for getting started. "In an account that is as blunt as it is knowledgeable about thepublishing industry, Sealy delves into the reasons why writers with good credentials have a hard time getting published and why an author'schances of success have become increasingly similar to the chances ofwinning the lottery." --The WV Independent Observer How do you get started as a novelist? How do you write a novel? What do you do with it once it's finished? And how do you get a career as a novelist off the ground? Most honest novelists will attribute some combination of talent, hard work and luck in theirsuccess, but each of these qualities can be nurtured with a little guidance. With clear and honest insight, author and publisher Jon Sealy shares his own story of how fiction works, from writing the first draft to building a multi-book career. In this short book, you will learn: How to write your first draft - The basics of point of view, character development and structure - Tips for making your scenes come to life - An overview of publishing - What a novelist's career looks like in the 21st century Part memoir, part craft analysis, this book breaks apart the elements of fiction and explores one writer's path from student to professional. Aspiring writers will find a toolkit for understanding fiction--and a roadmap for getting started. Jon Sealy is the author of three novels and the publisher of Haywire Books. His essays and reviews have appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, The Rumpus, The Millions and Lit Hub . He has an MFA in fiction writing and has taught writing at Purdue University and the University of Richmond.