If you decide to publish your book without help, consider an agent or law firm to help you out with the paperwork once a deal is in the offing.
* Which publisher do I send my proposal or manuscript to?
If you are a first time author you may want to try the smaller publishing houses first or small and large ones simultaneously. Big houses like the ones in New York for example generally favor general commercial fiction and rely on agents to bring them business may not suit the content or your goals of selling your book yourself. Smaller houses that are more specialized may be a better bet. This is especially so if you write romance novels as these are regularly recruited from submissions.
Do bear in mind if you want to get a book published, that some of the best publishers in the business today are not the biggest ones but rather independent small and medium-sized publishers located all over the U.S. Publishing houses like these are more flexible when it comes to dealing with unpublished authors.
* How do I put together a good book proposal?
Think ‘direct and articulate’. This is your chance to sell your idea and you are competing with thousands of other ideas. If you are determined to get a book published learn how to capture the attention of the publisher and keep it long enough to explain your idea. Keep it presentable and professional as you would any business document and make sure to include the following details:
1) A one-page cover letter
2) A two page (or less) introduction that sells your concept. Tell the publisher what the book is about and why it is different or unique. Include the target market for your book and how you can gain access to that market. Convince them that they should take on your book.
3) A table of contents should be included to provide a summary of the scope of the book.
4) A sample or two to give some idea of what they will get if they take on your book.
5) Your biographical information and some facts that show you are the right and / or best author to do the book.
6) Your marketing plans for the book. Tell them how you can help sell the book, where in particular it can be sold and how as well as promotions information.
* How is a typical book publishing deal structured?
Book deals do vary between publishers but there are some general aspects that are similar if you want to get a book published. Any publisher is going to offer you a form of non-refundable advance applied against royalties accrued on all sales.
Advances can range from $100 to $1 million or more. All an ‘advance’ means is that the publisher is giving you part of the money they think you are likely to earn during the first year or two of book publication.
The royalties you can expect to receive when you get a book published are roughly six to eight percent of the retail price on paperbacks for mass market consumers and ten to fifteen percent on the retail price on hardcover books but these rates can vary depending on the book and the publisher.
* How do I find the right agent, publisher or editor?
Do your research! Try ‘Literary Marketplace’ for the best in detailed lists of publishers complete with addresses and names of editors. The section on agents lists their special interests too as well as their manuscript submission requirements.
Try comparing your book to other similar published works. If you find one that publishes books on antiques and your book is on the same subject they may consider your book too. Of course it also goes without saying that the more unique your book is the better are your chances.
Scan copyright pages for editor credits and look at the acknowledgments page, for the names of editors and agents that did a good job.
Failing all these, call the publishing house and ask the editorial department for the names of the appropriate editors and the sub-rights or publicity department to find out who acted as the agent for a particular book. This is an easier way to get a book published as you can go to an editor that frequently uses similar subject matter. The crux of the matter is that if you want to get a book published there is no easy way out. Learn the industry, make contacts and network and always believe in your own ability!
