What's the fastest way to get a publisher to read my unpublished book?

Question

I just wrote a fictional novel. Everyone who's read it says it's amazing. How do I get a publisher? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I've been researching this matter myself. I have two book recommendations for you.

1. "78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might" by Pat Walsh
(You can see a list of the reasons here. Just "open" the book.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0143035657/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-5412024-8861711#reader-link

2. "The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers"
by Betsy Lerner
http://www.amazon.com/Forest-Trees-Editors-Advice-Writers/dp/1573228575/ref=pd_sim_b_3/102-5412024-8861711

These are both very thoughtful straight-forward books about trying to get your book published in this tough business - written by those IN the business. They are very encouraging, actually, if you are serious about getting your work out there.

I wish you the best.

Answer 2

Of course everyone among your friends and family told you it's wonderful. Today's publishing world (legitimate, not the VANITY presses that abound on line) is tight, and unless you have a MAJOR BLOCKBUSTER on your hands (which I seriously doubt), you will get nowhere. Most publishers don't accept unsolicited work and they all get hundreds of thousands of manuscripts every year. The vast majority of those are returned unread. That is why the vanity presses proliferate. Anyway, you also need to realize that your spelling, grammar, and manuscript style must be letter perfect, but even then you are fighting an uphill battle as your manuscript will go unread. I hope too you understand what goes into a superb cover letter and synopsis. But again, even if you do your chances are slim to absolutely none at all. In addition, fiction is even harder to sell than no-fiction and that is tough enough! Getting an agent is also just as difficult and frustrating, as most only deal with known writers who have proved themselves, rarely taking on unknowns. They have to eat too, and unless the smell a winner, you can forget it. Don't buy into the myth of Writer's Digest either. They, and books like them, list thousands of publishers who would just as soon not appear in their pages but cannot get their company name out! If you want to go the vanity route, you can spend a fortune and have them print you up a ton of books which you can give to all the people who told you how wonderful your work is. Also, the guy below has no clue as to what he is blathering about, including posting a copy of your owrk to yourself. This is an old wives' tale that protects nothing. You are an amateur and as such, I would not worry about your "brilliant" writing being stolen by some publisher who in all probability, won't even read it!

Answer 3

You need a literary agent. If you are lucky one will read your manuscript when you post it to them.Include a short synopsis of your story. I dont know what country your in, try looking them up in the yellow pages. Once you have an agent they will send your manuscript to publishers. Publishers will not read unsolisited manuscripts except for Haliquin/ Mills and boon.
Good luck
Ps dont give up
PPS if you are worried about copywrite post a copy to yourself in a sealed envelope and dont open it. That way you have proof that you wrote it and at what date by the stamp on the envelope.

Answer 4

Well if it's THAT amazing it should do it.

But, my experience says CONTROVERSY.

Send out an AMAZING synopsis with the first chapter and see what the reaction is. If the FIRST chapter isn't amazing you have problems.

Answer 5

Get a well connected agent who really likes you and your book.