How to Get Your Book Published
New York Publishers, Electronic Publishing, and Indie Presses
Publishing trends are much different than they were only a few years ago, but have you changed with them? Just when you think you have it all down to a science they go and change all the rules! Here is an overview of publishing today.
New York
Recent changes in publishing trends have made the New York market a tough nut to crack. Mergers and cutbacks have caused traditional hardback and paperback publishers to be less willing to take a chance on first-time authors. Most large publishers will not even consider an author without an agent so if you want to court New York, your first order of business should be to find one.
The 2007 Writer's Market is a good place to look for agents and there are also many online sites such as AAR Agents and Preditors and Editors that have listings. Even though it sounds discouraging, give New York publishers a try. It only makes sense to check out the highest paying markets first.
TIP: When querying New York, a standard paper submission of cover letter, synopsis, and sample chapters work best.
The Indie Press and the eBook Revolution
New York didn't come calling-now what? Don't give up. Many authors have successfully published without benefit of an agent or New York publisher. Trade paperback houses have much smaller print runs than the larger house, and are more likely to take a chance on an unknown writer.
Many smaller presses use a new printing technique called Print on Demand. Using new POD technology, a small order or even just one book can be printed, eliminating the need for a large press run.
Electronic publishing is also a viable alternative. These publishers are interested in a variety of genre fiction such as romance, mystery, sci-fi and fantasy. Cross-genres are often welcome in this market. Electronic books are sold online and can be read on computers, laptops, handheld readers, and other electronic devices.
Independent and eBook markets can be found in the 2007 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market. EBook markets can be found at FictionAddiction or by Googling "electronic book markets".
Tip: When querying an ebook market be sure to follow the formatting guidelines for your submission. Guidelines are usually posted on the website.
Self-Publishing
Because of the advent of new technology self-publishing doesn't cost as much as it used to. While it used to cost six or seven thousand to break into print, there are now printers who will publish a book for a few hundred dollars. In self-publishing an author pays a printer to produce a book for a set fee. The marketing and distribution are entirely up to the author.
By self-publishing you call all the shots. The author invests his own money and retains all rights to the book. As with any business venture, there is potential for great success or failure. Distribution is key to sales and bookstores are hesitant to stock books that haven't been approved by anyone but the author.
To succeed you have to be willing to take an aggressive approach and do your own marketing. Help can be found in Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual and Tom and Marilyn Ross' Complete Guide to Self Publishing.
Tip: When marketing a self-published book it helps to get endorsements by other authors and collect favorable reviews from known media outlets in advance to publish on the back jacket and promo material.
There are many publishing options. Publishing is no longer a one-size-fits-all venture. What route you take to publishing your book largely depends on the kind of book you have written and your personal goals as an author. Whether you choose to pursue New York, the small press, or go the self-publishing route, whatever choice you make should offer the right fit for your work, your career and your goals.
