There are enough publishers in the United States of America to make your head spin. While most American publishers are based in New York City, many of them are spread in small pockets throughout the country in places such as Los Angeles and Chicago. Still more US publishers have established their business on the Internet.
Excellent and comprehensive directories of American publishing firms can be found in your local bookstore, library, or Internet stores. Here are the names of the best ones:
The Writer's Market. It gives over 4000 market listings for American magazines, book publishers, trade journals, and contests and awards, along with 50 listings for American literary agents. It also offers dynamic interviews with established writers and industry insiders, including publishers, editors and successful freelancers, as well as essential publishing information and advice, including payment rates and tax answers, a guide to publisher imprints, online publishing basics, and valuable self-marketing tips.
Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. This directory provides everything working writers need to find the most receptive publishers, editors and agents for their work. Each entry presents an overview of the American publisher, including its history and current lines, followed by the names of specific editors, their areas of interest, and complete contact information. It also features listings for over 150 top American literary agencies, along with their agents, what they represent and how to contact them. It includes expert guidance on such valuable topics as how to pitch a book to a publisher, prepare a winning query and proposal, negotiate a publishing contract, and more.
Novel & Short Story Writer's Market. This gives 2000 completely updated listings, including U.S. magazines, book publishers, literary agents, contests and literary journals. It also provides expert advice from a spectrum of professional American fiction writers, along with helpful publishing resources listing American conferences, workshops, and writing programs.
The Directory of Poetry Publishers. This offers a complete list of American poetry publishers.
Publishers Weekly. The premier international publishing industry news magazine, it reaches every major publisher worldwide. It is the leading publication serving all segments involved in the creation, production, marketing and sale of the written word in book, audio, video and electronic formats. Also found on www.publishersweekly.com.
The premier association involving USA publishers is the Association of American Publishers (AAP). They have an excellent website with great resources, statistics, and other helps: www.publishers.org. Part of their stated agenda is as follows.
- To expand the market for American books and other published works in all media;
- To promote the status of publishing in the United States and throughout the world;
- To nurture creativity by protecting and strengthening intellectual property rights, especially copyright;
- To provide members with useful current information on trade conditions, government activities and policies, legislative proposals, and other matters of special concern;
- To aid AAP member publishers in exploring the challenges and opportunities of the emerging technologies;
- To stand as a framework within which publishers from all sectors can work together to advance their particular and common interests; to serve as a single authoritative voice for American publishing, at home and abroad.
