Writing and Working Directly with Publishers

Don't be intimidated by the strange and often distant world of publishers and their surroundings. Where are they, who are they, and how do I find them are questions that are easily answered. If you're not sure about dealing directly with a publishing house, then read my companion article on literary agents.

No doubt, you've heard of the Writer's Market book. That's a good place to start. It offers solid advice on approaching a publisher, finding editors, using agents (or not), and listings of publishing houses and contact people for every genre imaginable. Your local library usually carries a copy. The drawback is that it's often a year old because someone donated it to the library when they bought the next year's edition. Even if you do get your hands on the most recent copy by buying or borrowing it, it's best to call the publishing house and double check who to send your manuscript to. As in any business, personnel changes and procedural changes can make even the most up to date guide out of date by the time it hits the bookstores. Add to that the time it takes to update the information from the publishers, change the text, reformat for more or less space on the page, then send it to press, bind it, ship it to wholesalers, then ship it to resellers. When you pick up a new copy, it could be as much as fifteen months out of date in some areas. Certainly a few phone numbers have changed.

There are many other books and genre specific market guides to look at. Some of them specialize in small publishers, others only magazine and periodical publications. Use everything you can get your hands on.

Now take what you have at your fingertips and press on. Use your telephone and social skills, do a little research, and mail your manuscript as directed to the proper people. Do not deviate from what they ask for. If the publisher only wants the first three chapters, then don't send the entire book thinking that the first three chapters are good enough to entice the editor into staying up all night reading the rest of it. I can guarantee that ninety-nine percent of the submissions will end up in the trash without ever being opened.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Publishing is a business and they are in business to make money. Not only do they have sound reasons for certain submission rules, they want to work with writers who can follow instructions and guidance for a successful working partnership, fruitful marketing, and hopefully a second or third printing. Don't think that your manuscript will stand out so far above the others that they will ignore submission guidelines for you. Take two humble pills and call me in ten years. Seriously, these people know what sells and what doesn't. Listen to their advice. They would not be in business if they didn't know what they were doing.

As with many other parts of the writing process, one of your best resources to find a successful working relationship with a publishing house is talk to other published writers. Were they happy with the publisher? Did they like the editing staff? Were deadlines and distribution times met? Did they pay royalties on time and give a proper financial accounting?

Remember, you are not contractually obligated to anything just by asking questions and knocking on doors. You can always look elsewhere if it doesn't feel right. Don't jump in head first just because someone says that they are interested. Beware of unscrupulous people and businesses who want a fee up front just to read your manuscript. They can be scams. I'm not saying that all of them are, but anyone who wants a fee up front just to look at a submission should be looked at cautiously. When in doubt, get some legal advice. I know that money is often too tight to find a good lawyer, but think of plunking down several hundred dollars to an unscrupulous publisher and getting nothing in return. Ouch!

Be enthusiastic, but use common sense. There is a business side to writing and getting published. Don't get burned in the process. You are now doing research again, just with another goal in mind. Do your due diligence and take care of business.