Identify publishers or agents who are looking for manuscripts of novels or other books. Purchase or borrow from the library books dealing with the "writer's market" for fiction. These reference works include submission guidelines and market contact information for publishers who accepting manuscripts. The guidelines tell you what to submit, how to submit it, where to submit it, and what you will be paid. These are invaluable resources for anyone wishing to publish a novel.
Get an agent. You don't necessarily need an agent for short-story writing, or even to sell a novel to some publishers, though they are generally required to publish with major publishers, some of whom will not even look at work unless recommended by an agent. Agents can typically open publishing doors that potential authors can't get through on their own. An agent can also help negotiate a book deal. You can find an agent via the market reference books described in Step 1, or by consulting online databases.
Target publishers that publish the type of novel you've written. This is important. Submitting a crime drama to a publisher that only publishes G-rated children's books will only earn you a rejection. The first thing to look for in the submission guidelines is the type, or genre, of novel a publisher handles.
Write a query letter. The first paragraph of the letter should introduce you and give a brief overview of your publishing history. The next paragraph should give a synopsis of the novel you're submitting. Close the letter by thanking the editor for considering your manuscript for publication. Submit this query letter without a manuscript if the guidelines request you inquire first. Include complete contact information in your letter.
Prepare your manuscript according to guidelines. Most publishers are flexible to an extent, but some insist authors submit according to specific guidelines, such as one-inch margins on all pages, or a title page with the novel title and your name centered. If the guidelines tell you to submit only the first three chapters, those are the only chapters you should submit. Novel publishers rarely ask for more than a few chapters. If an editor likes your book, he will request to see the rest of it. Some publishers will accept digital files; others may still require submissions on paper.
Self-publish your book using a print-on-demand service if you decide you want more control over the process. Print-on-demand allows you to print your books as you sell them, which means you don't need to keep a large amount of books in stock. This minimizes your upfront cost. Another option is publishing an Amazon Kindle version of your book, which is free of charge though it allows you to reach only Amazon's Kindle audience. Follow the service's guidelines to help you format your novel for publication.
Familiarize yourself with the software program required to self-publish your book according to the guidelines of the print-on-demand service you are using. Using the program, you can choose the design elements of your book (typeface, size, margins, placement of images and graphics).
Carefully read the "fine print" in the contract with the print-on-demand service. Be aware of the costs involved, as well as the parameters for shipping the books to customers. You may have to factor in the costs of postage, containers, handling, and sales taxes.