How do I send my work to publishers?

Question

I just wrote a manuscript, so how do i get it published? How can i send it to publishers? Where can i find the address?

Answer 1

Getting from manuscript to novel isn't easy, especially if you're looking for a traditional publishing company, but is certainly possible. How do I know? I'm actually a published author—16-year-old Michelle Izmaylov, author of Dream Saver.

First of all, you've got to watch out for sharks in the water. Most of the publishers I found were self-publishers in disguise. 'Self-publish' means a company that will charge you money to get your book onto the market and into stores—or so they say. They feed you fancy lies topped off with whipped cream, icing, and sprinkled nonsense. No self-publish company will ever get your book into any major bookstores such as Barnes and Noble, simply because major retailers don't deal with self-publishers. The big bookstores know that self-publishers publish anything and everyone—trash and fantastic works alike. They won't risk taking a bad book into their stores when Scholastic is putting out bestsellers by the dozen. So watch out for them. They'll take your money and sell you your own book without making you a big-ticket item. So skip the self-publishers.

The guys you really want to work with are traditional publishers. These guys only take the best of the best and publish your book for free (often, they even pay the author in advance for the manuscript). Traditional publishers are hard to get to, but don't give up until you get in. To get through to these guys, you might want to have a literary agent represent you because most traditional publishers don't request unsolicited manuscripts.

Once you've weeded out the bad guys, it's time to start mailing query letters to traditional publishers. The key words here are don't give up. Even after I had 250 refusals stashed up in my inbox, I still kept on emailing and trying. So don't get discouraged. Remember, the road's tough, but you can overcome it!

Personally, I got in through an unconventional method. I won a short story contest sponsored by Mercury Publishing House, a traditional publishing company. Thus, my story "Bonnie" was the real reason I was published. My win gave my direct contact with the company and I worked things out from there!

For links to agents and publishers, check out my blog (www.michelleizmaylov.blogspot... com). I also have some good tips and advice!

Good luck in getting published!

Answer 2

1) Go to the public library and use the resource books called the Literary Market Place and the Writers Market. These books contain contact information/submission information for both agents and publishers.

2) Go to websites like Preditors & Editors and WritersWall.com for a listing of both publishers and agents and a list of places to beware of.

Make sure your manuscript is complete and fully edited. Be certain it is free of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Write a synopsis and a query letter. Brush up you author's bio. Present the entire package in the most professional way. Make sure you follow the submission guidelines for each place to the letter. That's what they are there for. Don't make multiple submissions if an agent or a publisher you're interested in specifically says they don't accept them.

Never ever pay for editing, agent representation, or reading fees. Agents and publishers make money the same way you do...from selling your work. Always remember the money flows to a writer, not away from her.

Good luck on your endeavors!

Answer 3

There are many good books in the library. It's a whole nother field and that's why they have literary agents. Usually in a business you have an accountant, sales and the producer/artist. I read that no one will succeed if they try to do more than the two they are really good at and love. Of course what rule isn't broken, but if all else fails that may be the best recourse although it's hard to find a good agent that will take you unless it's an awfully good work either. At least they may read it. If you love your art you will follow it even if fame comes posthumously. Now-a-days if you become good enough or already are, that shouldn't happen so often, but who knows for sure. Have you looked into anything like the Law of Attraction. It sounds hokey up front, but on closer inspection there is something there as hard as it is to find.

Answer 4

That will depend on the publisher. They will all have guidelines. You will need to reseach which publishers to send on bassed on the genre of your book-- eg, don't send an action novel to Mills and Boon or Harlequin. Some places will not take unsolicited submissions. You'll need to usually give a good synopsis, possibly an outline, a sample chapter or two. You'll need to have a clear picture of the story in mind, and your first paragraph had better totally enthrall them, thrill them, keep them gripped, because otherwise it goes back in the pile. Good luck when the time comes!

Answer 5

You can't. They will not open it. You have to have an agent.