Market Research Tips and Publishing

Getting published is a challenge every writer, newspaper reporter and author faces non-stop. This article will cover some of these research areas and present some examples of publishers in various markets.

There are three tools recommended for this research: 1) your local library, 2) the internet, and 3) you local bookstore. If the third option isn't feasible, then make use of the library and/or the internet.

At the library, writers of all ages can use their library cards to look up publishers, check out "how-to" books and even get help in selling yourself and your writing. If you're unsure where to look, check also with the reference desk.

According to Robyn Conley, author of "Be Your Own Book Doctor", one book at your library or in your personal reference that is suggested is a copy of the Writer's Market. There are pages full of publishers of various types for any kind of work, contests and even newsletters and magazines. For example horror, specifically vampires; the index of the Writer's Market has publishers who put out horror novels, magazines publishing horror short stories, or even contests for this type of writing.

Another useful tool is the internet. By typing key words into a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, you can find: publications, publishers, contests and even general information on certain markets. Even going as far as to see how particular markets are doing; whether it be hot or cold. For example, typing this in Google: Publishers/Romance; the results yield ten plus pages of publishers and/or romance. If you're into the genre of writing; you'll find lots of useful help in finding publishers, magazines for short stories and even some contests. Here's another example: Publishers/Vampires; it yielded zero websites, but the search turned up listings for ads about other sites. Another search option: Publishers/Science Fiction/Fantasy; this search yielded twenty four pages of information and included an E-book site for publication.

Remember as you query publishers, magazines or newsletters; to pay strict attention to the submission guidelines. It will make the difference between getting published and getting your work tossed in the trash. Some publishers require represented or agented submissions, length of time it takes to see the end result and the rates for royalties. If a POD, Publish On Demand, or a "vanity press" offers you a freebie; let the buyer beware!

One more point to consider; if your novel or short story fits into more than one genre, explore every publisher or publication for the multiple genre aspect. As we go back to the first writing as an example: the vampire story, a romantic relationship exists between the two main characters and some sci-fi concepts are included. In addition to queries for major houses, Dorchester Publishing published romantic vampire stories as well as Sci-fi stories. The point is to not limit yourself in your writing, you never know when some editor might be sitting on a jewel of a submission. It could be yours.