If all else fails, shoot into the crowd

[slipjig3]

Calling out the brain trust and cashing in my connections here:

Let's say for the sake of argument that I have a draft of a contemporary fantasy novel that I wrote (spoiler: I do). Let's further hypothesize that it's really, really good, as in good enough for publication by an actual publishing house rather than, say, Lulu (spoiler: it is, and I've been told so by a bunch of people). So at this point, I need to talk to That Person, the one who'll put some forward motion toward that goal. Who is That Person in this case? Who should I be getting in touch with?

Comments

[light-in-motion.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I can't give you a name, but it sounds like you probably want a literary agent. Is a name what you were looking for?

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

You need to start working toward building a relationship with an agent (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_agent). The agent will represent you in the process of negotiating a contract with publishing houses; this will help prevent them from screwing you over entirely. (Publishing is a cut-throat business; the standard contracts are not at all favorable for the author.) The agent will also be experienced in the market/genre, give you advice on how your book may need to be changed, possibly help you find a development editor, etc.

Shopping for an agent is hard. Good agents are in demand, and are picky about who and what they represent, so be ready for that. You'll send queries to many agents to move forward in this step, unless you luck out.

(FWIW, I have issues with your "good enough to be published by an actual publishing house" distinction, given the recent massive blockbusters that have come out of self-pub, but I get the gist of what you are asking.)

[tnjade.livejournal.com]

Is this the one you started years ago for NaNoWriMo?

[collacentaur.livejournal.com]

Have someone introduce you to some of the pros at the next literary SF con you attend. Which may coincidentally be having a panel on Selling Your Fiction.