Are you trying to land a contract with a traditional publisher? Or do you plan to do so once your book is a book? In the meantime, how much do you know about the publishing industry and what to expect?<\/p>\n
Authors Have Unreasonable Expectations<\/strong> \u2022\tGive up and pursue another avenue of publication. And these are good ways to ruin your chances of that publishing contract. So what\u2019s an eager author to do? <\/p>\n Authors Need a Reality Check<\/strong> Authors, please study books and newsletters for authors\u2014publications that help authors to understand the publishing industry and how to navigate within it. Read books such as my \u201cPublish Your Book\u201d for a reality check about the publishing industry. The number one thing most first-time authors need to know is that it isn\u2019t all about the author. It isn\u2019t even about your marvelous book. It\u2019s about the publisher\u2019s bottom line. <\/p>\n It\u2019s also about competition\u2014fierce competition for authors. The author is just one of hundreds of authors being considered by just about any publisher they approach. <\/p>\n What\u2019s an Author to Do?<\/strong> 1: Research publishers and note those that publish books in your book\u2019s category\/topic.<\/p>\n 2: Study each publishers\u2019 Submission Guidelines (usually posted at their website.) If you have trouble finding the publisher\u2019s submission guidelines, contact me\u2014I can help with that.<\/p>\n 3: Follow the submission guidelines when submitting your material\u2014does the publisher want to see a query letter first, a book proposal, only portions of a book proposal or the entire manuscript? Does he want to receive it via email as an attachment, in the body of an email or via regular mail? If you don\u2019t know how to write an intriguing query letter or appropriate book proposal, contact someone who can help you with it. <\/p>\n 4: Take note of the typical waiting period as noted on the Submission Guidelines. Some publishers say to wait anywhere from 2 to 4 months for a response to the query letter or book proposal. They may post a waiting time of 8 months or more for a manuscript. Yes, your project can be held up and halted for a very long time. Or not. Some publishers respond almost immediately. But don\u2019t expect a quick turnaround in all situations\u2014in fact, publishers are notoriously slow to respond. Some never respond.<\/p>\n 5: Do not call, text or email the publisher asking about your project until a few weeks after the expected waiting period.<\/p>\n What if You Don\u2019t Like the Publisher\u2019s Response? What does that mean? The publisher thought it was right when he requested it based on your representative query letter. He thought it might fit when he took a look at your book proposal, which probably included sample chapters. How is it that, all of a sudden, it isn\u2019t at all what they want or what they typically publish?<\/p>\n Is the Alternative Worth the Cost?<\/strong> Are you trying to land a contract with a traditional publisher? Or do you plan to do so once your book is a book? In the meantime, how much do you know about the publishing industry and what to expect? Authors Have Unreasonable Expectations Unfortunately, too many hopeful authors expect to receive at least some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[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
\nUnfortunately, too many hopeful authors expect to receive at least some sort of feedback, if not a wonderful contract tied up in a pretty red bow, within the first few months (even weeks) of approaching a few publishers. When the publisher doesn\u2019t respond to their query, book proposal or even the complete manuscript within what they consider a reasonable period of time, they get impatient. They either:<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tStart calling or emailing the publisher.
\n\u2022\tIssue complaints about the publisher at their writers\u2019 forums.
\n\u2022\tAsk other publishers or their mentors how to get the publisher\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n
\nWhat many first-time authors don\u2019t understand is that it can take publishers a long time to respond to your proposal or manuscript. This is the norm in the world of publishing. <\/p>\n
\nAuthors, who are bent on landing a publishing contract, need to develop a thick skin and a huge measure of patience. Here\u2019s a general scenario for the new author\u2014the steps he or she should take when pursuing publishers:<\/p>\n
\nLet\u2019s talk about what happens when the publisher does respond. You may eventually receive a letter, email or phone call requesting additional information. Or you might get a rejection letter. The one I hate most is the generic one saying, \u201cThis is not quite right for us.\u201d Or \u201cThis does not fit our list.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIf you want to feel like a non-person, start approaching traditional publishers with your manuscript. No wonder so many authors sign with self-publishing companies\u2014in this environment, they are welcomed with open arms (as long as the pocketbook is also wide open). The acquisitions editor has nothing but praise for your project. (It\u2019s likely he didn\u2019t even take a look at it. He doesn\u2019t care if the book is good or not\u2014if it will sell or not\u2014his money comes from the set-up fee and any add-ons you might sign up for, editing, marketing.) But at least you feel good about yourself and your project while you\u2019re handing over money to these outfits. You can finally\u2014after many months\/years writing your book\u2014call yourself a published author\u2014but at what cost?
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\nPublishing is NOT an Extension of Your Writing<\/strong>
\nOf course, this doesn\u2019t describe all traditional publishers and self-publishing services. But there\u2019s a lot of truth in these scenarios for many. And if you can shift from the creative mode of a writer and start thinking like a businessman\/woman, you\u2019ll understand what I\u2019m trying to tell you. Publishing is nothing like writing. Writing is a craft and publishing is a business\u2014a fiercely competitive business, and you must go into it using a business head, not a writer\u2019s heart.
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\nNew Publishing\/Marketing Newsletter<\/strong>
\nFor more information, perspective and resources related to the publishing industry and book promotion, sign up for my new bi-monthly enewsletter. The next jam-packed issue will come out in October. http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> Email me for a copy of issue number one (August edition). plfry620@yahoo.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"