Twilight the Book Gives New Writers Hope

One of the most remarkable aspects to the Twilight phenomenon is the fact that, prior to the publication of her bestselling hit, Twilight, she was not a published author. After her first novel was published, she was immediately listed as one of the "most promising new authors of 2005" by Publishers Weekly. On her website, and in her own words, Stephenie describes the amazing process she went through when she wrote Twilight, the book, and the painful path she traveled as she attempted to get the book published.

How Bestseller Novels Like Twilight, the Book, Get Published

If we were to examine the rise and fall of amazing first novels by authors who were previously unpublished, like J.K. Rowling with Harry Potter, and now Stephenie Meyer with Twilight, there are very few clues to help future published authors understand what the path to success must be. Is it a matter of writing the perfect query letter? Is it more important to get published first, anywhere, or to just keep sending in query letters and suffer the countless and terribly painful rejections?

To answer those questions, you need only review how the process went for Stephenie.

From Mom to Internationally-Known Author

According to the bio on her website, Stephenie obtained her B.A. in English from Brigham Young University, an excellent school to say the least. Stephenie went on to have three sons with her husband, as they established a comfortable life in Phoenix, Arizona. Stephenie describes the process of writing her first novel as a labor of love. The ultimate goal wasn't to write the next best novel of our time - it was simply to get the story that was playing itself out in her head, down on paper. She experienced the story within these novels so passionately that writing became a necessity only so that she could capture it before it floated away like morning mist. The idea of publication was not even her own, it was suggested by a family member.

How Stephenie Meyer Published Twilight

So, what lessons can a new author learn about how this originally unknown author became a well-known published author in only six months? There is one significant lesson to be learned - a writer must write for the love of words, and must possess an extremely high level of humility. The process of her getting published involved:

1. Sending out query letters to multiple publishing houses and literary agencies, many on a whim.

2. Hoping against hope that lightning would strike.

3. Reading each rejection letter (she mentions one, from a small agency, that stung the most) with a large dose of salt.

4. Having faith that others will eventually see the same beauty in the story that you do.

Once I'm Picked Up by An Agent, I'm Ready to Publish, Right?

When writers are finally established with a literary agent, and think that the humiliating circumstances are behind them, they are faced with the editing process. When you are picked up by an agency, you've made it over the first, initial mountain to ultimately get to publication. You've convinced someone that your story is unique enough to succeed in a particular niche market. But instead of going directly to the publishing houses, your agent wants to edit your book?

Say what?

The truth is, however perfect writers think the novel is, there's always room for another edit. This can be the most difficult and painful process for many authors, especially those who have already published a few books. Stephen King once wrote that he took up calling the process of editing and re-editing, "Killing my babies." Ultimately, that's exactly how most authors feel. But, it's also a critical part of making the book truly shine, so that when the publishing house has a look at your potential blockbuster - the novel will sell itself. So take a deep breath, read your agent's edits, and take them to heart.

What Makes a Hit Novel Like Twilight, The Book?

There doesn't seem to be a specific recipe for success. Although, if we take recent history into account, it appears that young adult novels are highly popular, which is a great sign for the literacy of the nation's youth. But what does that mean for authors who are looking for a genre that stands the best chance for success in publication? The truth is, there is no golden rule. What it really comes down to, in the end, is whether or not a particular writer has that unique gift. And not just any gift, but a gift to take the written word and command it across the page. The ability to capture the mind and heard of a reader and draw them deep into a story that makes them feel the same passion, sorrow, excitement and love that the characters feel. When a writer is that good, the reader knows it. So do most literary agents.

So, if you are truly a brilliant writer, then have faith in your abilities. You will be noticed one day, too.