Where can I get a legit book publishing companies's information?

Question

I want to publish a book and I am looking for publishing companies

Answer 1

There are two types of publishing: Tradition and Self-Publishing. You will first need to decide which of these methods you want to pursue. Each has advantages and disadvantages that need to be researched. For instance, traditional publishing can be a very long road, littered with MANY rejections. Self-publishing will guarantee you a printed copy of your book, however you will not see it in a brick-and-mortar bookstore.

http://www.lulu.com is, in my opinion, the best self-publisher around. You can set up your book on their website, for free, and they will print copies as they are purchased. They do not edit your book, so you will need to take care of that on your own. This will also NOT get your book in a traditional bookstore, although you can purchase a very affordable package that would allow sale of your book through online bookstores like Amazon.

"Writer's Market", along with "The Guide to Literary Agents" are my two suggestions for diving into the traditional publishing market. I suggest looking for an agent first because they are the best step through the publishing door. You will create a submission package that matches the agents preferences (some, for instance, just want a query letter and summary in your first contact with them while others want more). Once you find an agent that is willing to represent you, they will market your book to publishers. Remember, in traditional publishing you should not be paying for anything! They get paid when you get paid!

Unfortunately I can not recommend any specific agents or publishers because I know nothing about your book. Different publishing houses specialize in different types of books, so I would have very different options if I wrote a romance novel versus a science fiction adventure.

Keep in mind that publishing traditionally is a very long road. You will recieve many rejections, as does EVERY author. It may help if you start submitting short stories and/or poetry that you have written to magazines and journals (which you can also find in "Writer's Market"). Agents really like to see people with previous publishing credits-- it means that your work really will sell!

Lastly, check out the website Preditors and Editors to help you avoid any scams:
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Good luck, and keep writing and editting.

Answer 2

I agree to find the information to use the best would be the Writers Market book, and or website. Further contact the publishing company and see the response. If they give you a contact address, phone number and email or website then you can check them out first hand rather than relying on third parties information. I find the online ezines, such listed Editors and Preditors, Absolute Write and a few others tend to call themselves experts when they really are a group of writers testing the marketplace and list publishers and agents under the Writer's Beware without clarification or notification of any kind to the agents or publishing companies.

Answer 3

Writer's Market. It comes out every year. You can buy it at the bookstore, subscribe to it, or find it in the reference section at the library.