So, you’ve written a book – or you want to write one. How do you take the next step and actually get it published?

As a former publisher myself, I’m conscious many people wonder: should I get an agent, or should I approach publishers directly? You can do either, and both options have their advantages: an agent will have existing relationships with publishers and will pitch your book for you (in exchange for a percentage of what you’re eventually paid). But it’s often easier to get a publisher than an agent in Australia – and plenty of publishers are happy to be approached directly.

Generally, either a publisher or an agent will ask you for a query letter introducing yourself and your book (saying what it’s about and why you’re the person to write it), along with a synopsis summarising your book, and either a few sample chapters (more often for a nonfiction project) or a full manuscript.

We asked five literary experts – a mix of published authors and publishing professionals – for their top tips on getting published.

1. Don’t write for trends

If you can identify a trend, chances are it’s almost over.

You don’t want your book to be an echo of another, more successful story: you want it to surprise and delight readers, find a fresh direction on a well-beaten path. The only way to do that is to write the book that you want to read, in a way that only you can do it.

Writing an on-trend book might bring you commercial success in the very short-term, but it won’t build you a........

© The Conversation