Hey i’ve been interested in writing for as long as i can remember and now im currently writing a book. It probably won’t be done for a year or so but i just wanted to know which publisher do you think i should send my book to? Like do you know which publisher would be most likely to publish my book?
First, finish your book (I know it sounds obvious).
Type it in proper manuscript form (http://www.writersdigest.com has the details on what is needed).
Edit it many times to make it as good as it can be. Put it away, and don’t even think about it, for a month or two, then take it out and do more editing.
Get it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (do not rely just on spellcheck).
There are very few publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts (those that don’t go through a literary agent), so it’s a very good idea to get an agent.
Visit http://www.agentquery.com or, at the library or bookstore, look for Writer’s Market 2010, Bowker’s Literary Marketplace or Jeff Herman’s Guide to Literary Agents. Look for agents that handle your genre, and are looking for new clients. Read, and follow, their submission guidelines.
Learn how to write a query letter, which is what you send to the agent, first (those books will have something about it). It’s part explanation as to why your book deserves to be published, and part synopsis of your book. You have only that one-page letter to wow the agent, so take the time to make it a good one.
Expect the whole process to take lots of time, and plan on lots of rejections. When you are accepted by an agent, they will send your book to publishers, not you.
Except for postage, the entire process of getting an agent is FREE, until your book is bought by a publisher. That is when the agent gets their cut, usually 15%, of the money that goes to you. Run away from any agent who asks for money upfront.
Good luck!
Amy on December 15th, 2009 at 2:41 am says:
its depends on what kind of book it is. (is it for kids, or teenagers, or adults? sci-fi, realistic fiction, fantasy, etc.) different publishers like different kinds of books.
References :
Nicholas K on December 15th, 2009 at 3:19 am says:
These days, publishers tend only to deal with literary agents, because of the large number of manuscripts that they would otherwise receive. Also it would depend what genre of book you’re writing because publishers tend to specialize.
References :
Milo M on December 15th, 2009 at 3:40 am says:
Most all publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts because of copyright concerns and the amount they would receive. Finding a literary agent will be tough also. Try to publish a few short stories on the web first. Find out how other authors got their first book published. Good Luck !
References :
cathrl69 on December 15th, 2009 at 3:49 am says:
You’re going to have to do your own research on this one. What genre is it? Do you have an agent? (presumably not, but many publishers only look at manuscripts sent to them by agents). How long is it? What age is the target audience? What nationality is the target audience?
In any case, the chances that you will pick one publisher and they’ll publish it are basically zero. Just about every bestselling author of the past 30 years has had multiple rejections (often hundreds) before they managed to get a novel published.
The only way you can guarantee to get your book "published" by the publisher you choose is to pick a vanity press who will print literally anything they are given provided the author pays. Of course, everyone knows that’s what they do so no bookshop will stock the books…
References :
poppy_rose on December 15th, 2009 at 4:30 am says:
you need a literacy agent
they will help you edit and publish
References :
Paul L on December 15th, 2009 at 5:06 am says:
First, finish your book (I know it sounds obvious).
Type it in proper manuscript form (http://www.writersdigest.com has the details on what is needed).
Edit it many times to make it as good as it can be. Put it away, and don’t even think about it, for a month or two, then take it out and do more editing.
Get it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (do not rely just on spellcheck).
There are very few publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts (those that don’t go through a literary agent), so it’s a very good idea to get an agent.
Visit http://www.agentquery.com or, at the library or bookstore, look for Writer’s Market 2010, Bowker’s Literary Marketplace or Jeff Herman’s Guide to Literary Agents. Look for agents that handle your genre, and are looking for new clients. Read, and follow, their submission guidelines.
Learn how to write a query letter, which is what you send to the agent, first (those books will have something about it). It’s part explanation as to why your book deserves to be published, and part synopsis of your book. You have only that one-page letter to wow the agent, so take the time to make it a good one.
Expect the whole process to take lots of time, and plan on lots of rejections. When you are accepted by an agent, they will send your book to publishers, not you.
Except for postage, the entire process of getting an agent is FREE, until your book is bought by a publisher. That is when the agent gets their cut, usually 15%, of the money that goes to you. Run away from any agent who asks for money upfront.
Good luck!
References :