In today’s publishing climate, there are a dizzying number of opinions on what you should do with your completed manuscript. Should you send it directly to a publisher, or should you first look for an agent? Should you have it professionally edited before you submit? Should you bother with traditional publishing at all when self-publishing is an option?

Although publishing professionals will give differing responses to each of these questions, I feel strongly that there is no single correct answer to any of them. (My exception is the direct