So I've covered the God-awful traditional old school process of sending out query letters, slush piles, hoping for an agent, and basically trying to get lucky to get published.  I explained how others have used the new media to circumvent or augment this process to the writer's benefit.  But the question remains: OK Greg - what's the plan?

Despite my disdain for the query letter system, my end goal is the same as any writer: get an agent, get a publisher, and get my novel in bookstores.  I'm just taking a different route:

1. Build a Plan: I need to figure out what I want out of all this.  That way I can design the elements to fit the goals.  This is it, by the way.
2. Finish the Novel: Edit it, polish it, and make it as good as it can be before releasing a single syllable.
3. Publish Free Content: Get my work out there for people to enjoy for free.
4. Precautions: Make sure I do not put anything out for free that may jeopardize traditional publishing deal (e.g. may agents do not mind if you give out free audio but will not sign if you give out free .pdf's).
5. Research: Learn everything about this new media from what is the best podcasting microphone to what legal steps do I need to take to protect my work.
6. Emulate The Masters: Study and learn from people that have done this successfully: Mur Lafferty, Scott Sigler, JC Hutchins, and more.  No need to reinvent the wheel.
7. Free Audiobook: I've decided that I intend to record and release the book as a free audiobook to generate interest.  There are other methods but I like this one.
8. Marketing: Try to build a strong audience/following using Twitter, Facebook, my blog, interviews on podcasts for new authors, anything.
9. Agent/Publisher: Hopefully get enough success that I become attractive to an agent or publisher.
10. Repeat: If it does not work, back to step one and try it with a new book.

That's it in a nutshell.  A modified road to getting published.  It gives me a little more control and its a lot more fun.  I get to email and Twitter with early fans before any deal is even signed.  I get to make my own audiobook.  I learn podcasting.  All much more fun then sending out query letters and waiting.

The odds still suck, but it'll be a wild ride

Next up: Step 2: Finishing the Novel.