I’ve worked with many different traditional publishers, and self-published some work. Self publishing can be difficult, lonely, and expensive! I prefer working with publishers when I can because then I can concentrate more on the writing process.

To get a publisher, you first need A) a completed novel and B) a literary agent. The agent shops your manuscript to acquiring editors at publishers. So step one is to get that novel finished! And step two is to make a list of agents to query (usually agents who represent authors in the same genre you write) and to send them emails asking if they’d like to read your manuscript. I would not be concerned with them taking an idea, though—ideas are a dime a dozen. Execution is what matters. I submitted my first book to 10 agents. 7 never responded, 2 rejected me, and 1 signed me…but for my next book. She didn’t like the one I submitted, but liked my writing.