I belong to a number of online writers' groups and it is heartbreaking to witness so many dysfunctional rules being propagated and mindlessly echoed that actually deter folks from getting their books published.

Most of these maxims can be summarized in one sentence:

"Be nice and don't make waves."

How silly.

You're an outsider. You have few if any contacts. Do you actually believe that good manners and passivity will open shuttered doors?

Here are five rules you must break if you wish to take control of your publishing destiny and get serious and immediate attention:

(1) "No phone calls, please!" I pitch most of my books by phone and by email. I devise stunning voice mail messages that deliver a thirty second pitch and provide my call back and email information. My approaches get fast results, and positive ones, too. Frankly, most editors have little sales resistance when approached properly by phone, but they're impenetrable fortresses when approached at the typical "gates."

(2) "Pitch one or two publishers at a time." There are two circumstances when you should give publishers an exclusive look at your project. If you have agreed, contractually, to provide a right of first refusal, you must do it. If you have a cozy rapport with a particular editor that has a proven track record of providing you quick and positive feedback, then I might consider giving him or her a quick peek. Otherwise, query as many houses as you can, simultaneously. If there is robust interest, then that signals you are riding a winning horse.

(3) "Use an agent." So many agents are so inept. I've found that I'm handing them a fish, already filleted and baked to perfection, instead of them serving me. If you purchase a current edition of Jeff Herman's book, a directory of editors and publishers, you'll have enough information at your fingertips to pitch directly those that can acquire your works. I've sold many of my titles this way.

(4) "Be patient." When you have a winning project there is a quickening that occurs. Just as music producers can hear a hit song, immediately, most editors can spot a standout title or treatment right away. If I do not garner MULTIPLE expressions of interest to my queries, and quickly, I'll euthanize my own project before allowing it to die a slow death. Recently, I had a contractual offer from a publisher that was inadequate. Unable to find a better house and a better offer, I killed the deal and published my book elsewhere as an audio program. It went on to earn more than I would have made had I accepted the book contract.

(5) "In this economy, publishers aren't acquiring new titles." Wrong. I just went to press with a new title. The fact is this economy has so discouraged writers that they are reluctant to submit their works. This means there is less competition.

A famous cowboy car dealer used to crowd the airwaves with outlandish commercials, featuring tigers, bears, and various critters that he would wrestle and wrangle.

In a quite sober and soft-spoken radio interview he whispered the secret to his success.

"If you want to sell people, you have to first get their attention."

Playing by the rules simply won't make you stand out, or for that matter, outstanding.