Are these some of the questions you are asking?<\/p>\n
How many words should my manuscript be?
\nDo publishers accept submissions all year round or just during certain months?
\nHow long does it take to get a response from a publisher?
\nDo publishers pay advances\u2014how much?
\nWhat percentage royalties to publishers pay?
\nDo publishers produce both fiction and nonfiction?
\nWhat sort of promotion does a publisher do?
\nWhat\u2019s the best way to approach a publisher\u2014can I send the completed manuscript?
\nHow many books does a publisher produce in a year?<\/p>\n
Do these represent some of the questions you have? I often get these very questions from hopeful authors because some people still believe that a publishers, is a publishers, is a publishers. Not so. <\/p>\n
Publishers come in all flavors, sizes and styles. This is why it is imperative that, when an author decides which publisher(s) he or she wants to approach, he or she obtains a copy of each publishers\u2019 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES or WRITERS\u2019 GUIDELINES or AUTHORS\u2019 GUIDELINES.\t <\/p>\n
Don\u2019t rely on the information in the listings you find for these publishers in various databases. Sure, this is an excellent place to start when you are contemplating which publishing house is appropriate for your project. But before you contact a publisher (or several publishers), go to their websites and locate a copy of their Submission Guidelines. Then study them and submit to each publisher accordingly. If you don\u2019t easily find Submission Guidelines, check under \u201cAbout Us\u201d or \u201cContact Us.\u201d Perhaps you\u2019ll see a link titled \u201cWrite for Us\u201d or simply \u201cSubmissions.\u201d Use your imagination in locating these guidelines. In some cases, you\u2019ll need it. If you can\u2019t find them, contact the editor and ask for a copy.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you have completed your manuscript and it encompasses 150,000 words. One publisher\u2019s Submission Guidelines, however, states that they publish books of from 75,000 to 100,000 words. If you want to go with this publisher, be prepared to cut your manuscript down to size. Tell this publisher, for example, that you will present to him a manuscript of around 85,000 words. Don\u2019t apologize for the fact that your book includes 150,000 words and ask if he will look at it anyway. <\/p>\n
Likewise if the publisher\u2019s guidelines note that they are accepting only fantasy and thriller manuscripts at this time, don\u2019t send a query letter for your book on raising guinea pigs and hamsters.<\/p>\n
And if the publisher asks for an overview or a detailed prospectus related to your platform, make sure you provide plenty of honest information in this regard. <\/p>\n
The competition is just too stiff today. There are too many other authors out there with great projects that are ready to go and with built-in followings and marketing skills. Publishers strive to choose projects that will make them some money. Part of that equation is\u2014projects they are familiar with and have the connections to promote successfully. The other part is you\u2014your connections, expertise, skills, abilities and willingness to present an appropriate project and vow to aptly promote it.<\/p>\n
If you have questions about your publishing options, how to choose the best option for your particular project, how to choose the best publishing company within that option, how to work with a publisher and what exactly is expected of you as the author of a published book, read my book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Autho<\/em>r. It\u2019s available at amazon.com in print and Kindle form and at most other online and downtown bookstores. You can also purchase this book at http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Are these some of the questions you are asking? How many words should my manuscript be? Do publishers accept submissions all year round or just during certain months? How long does it take to get a response from a publisher? Do publishers pay advances\u2014how much? What percentage royalties to publishers pay? Do publishers produce both […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,3],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t