Tips on Getting Published

It's not too difficult to come up with a subject, which you think would make a world-beating novel. Convinced that you can write a blockbuster, you throw yourself into the project.
The writing experience is a series of highs and lows. Highs when your story is flowing smoothly, and lows when you experience deep anguish trying to come up with the words for that all important chapter. However, when you finally struggle through and complete your manuscript, you're not at the end. You're at the beginning. Writing the book is only half the battle. Getting it published is a bloody war.
My only previous experience was to write and have published a business book. I wasn't even a third of the way through this book when I approached an agent in Chicago and asked her whether she though it could be of interest to a publisher. She read what I'd produced so far and was very positive. I was totally amazed when, less than six weeks later, I had an interested major Publisher willing to sign a contract and give me a healthy advance. Wow, I thought. This is pretty easy.
Getting my novel published however has been a whole different story. Although I had some leads to literary agents from my previous Publishers, positive responses were few and far between.
Following the instructions from all the "how to" books on getting published, I duly sent out my query letters, synopses, and even chapters where required. I soon learned that, "going out cold" to literary agents and publishers was indeed a long shot. From some of them, I got a quick "no", postcard, or email response; from some of them a little bit more courtesy in rejection letters. After approximately 20 rejections, I decided that this wasn't going to work and I needed to try personal connections.
I pushed hard for introductions and was able to meet some wonderful agents and publishers in New York. I duly followed up with my query letters, synopses, and bio, and waited hopefully. At least from these sources, I got polite rejections. Some of them were even somewhat encouraging - or were they?
One of my more interesting experiences in New York was to be introduced to a lady who was gushingly enthusiastic about my work. I took her out to a lavish lunch and we got on like a "house on fire." We pledged our undying love and support for each other, and she assured me there would be no difficulty in placing my book with one of her publisher contacts. We swore we would keep in touch. I followed up with "thank you's," emails, and phone calls - all to no avail. Love apparently doesn't run very deep in the publishing world. I never heard another word from her.
Finally, however, personal contacts did pay off, and I was introduced to my current Publisher, who was enthusiastic and supportive about my manuscript, and I am now a published novelist. The lesson learned - perseverance! If you've taken the time and effort to write a book, don't give up.