If you are looking for help on publishing a book or finding a publisher, you have come to the right web page. The book publishing world is a vast and many-faceted place; finding your niche and then working your way into it can be a tricky task. Here are some helpful tips on publishing books and choosing a book publisher:
Do Your Research. Whether you are writing a novel, nonfiction, or cookbooks, you need to research your segment of the publishing industry. Find out who the publishers are, where they are, and how to contact them. It also helps to attend conferences or seminars in your industry, learn the hot topics and trends specific to the industry-understanding these will help you present your manuscript in a more appealing light by tying it to a popular trend.
Consider Using an Agent. In some publishing industries, obtaining a literary agent to represent you is a must. In others, it makes no difference. It is a literary agent's job to help you get published-that's how they make their money--they have the publisher connections, the advice, the know-how, the time.
Choose the Right Publisher for You. The list of book publishers is long. You need to understand what a publisher's specialties, strengths, and preferences are, so you can narrow down the publisher list and match up your material with their needs correctly. Be thorough and picky. The same advice applies to literary agents.
Approach the Publisher Properly. Some publishers want a call first, some want an email, some want a query letter, some just want a portion of your manuscript in the mail. You must show respect and approach them how they want to be approached--take the publisher's advice; otherwise, they will not listen to you or view your material. The same goes for approaching an agent.
Learn to Shrug Off Rejection. On the average, 98-99% of submissions to both publishers (such as Random House) and literary agents get rejected, especially if you've never been published before. That's just the way it is. It will help if you can learn from rejection. Be open-minded. You may need to revise and try again. If you have talent and perseverance, you will succeed in getting published.
Excellent books on publisher help and general advice on publishing can be found in your local bookstore, library, or Internet stores. Here are some of the best ones:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published. A complete handbook on the literary publishing market, covering query letters, book proposals, agents, and contracts, as well as offering assistance on settling on a subject, information on how manuscripts become books and how books get into stores, and advice on keeping your book in the stores once it gets there.
Get Your First Book Published: And Make It a Success. A complete collection of innovative tools, advice, resources, and real-life examples that focuses on the needs of first-time, unpublished authors; also lists hundreds of awards and publishers targeted specifically to these aspiring writers.
The Sell Your Novel Toolkit: Everything You Need to Know about Queries, Synopses, Marketing and Breaking In. The author offers the wisdom of more than twenty years of experience as an author, book editor, writing instructor, and marketing consultant. Step-by-step, she details what publishers and editors want, what questions to ask them, how to develop a marketing strategy, and get your book published.
