Getting Published

This page is designed to answer any questions you may have before getting your work published. I don't have all the answers to all the possible questions and I am in no way an expert, although I can give you the benefit of my own experience with REM as published by Minerva Press and what I have learned since then.

The Simple Terms

You'll get certain publishers asking you to pay to get your work published (see Experiences) and you'll get loads of rejections, so chin up, never pay and keep trying.

I would recommend finding an agent from the Writers and Artists Yearbook. Give them a call, tell them what you've written and that you want to get it published. They'll probably ask you to send it in. They'll tell you exactly what to send - and that's the first step. If when they reply they either don't like it, or can't publish it for other reasons, then don't give up.

Never be afraid of criticism, not everyone is going to like your book, although pay attention to their feedback. The people who know what they like are your audience, listen to them, learn from them and then revise your work accordingly.

Then, try another agent and keep trying until you finally get someone who is interested.

I know a writer who sent his manuscript to every single publisher in the yearbook. When they exhausted the publishers they went through the process again and was accepted.

Its all a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right person reading it for the right publisher.

It will take time, so you'll need a lot of patience, but in the meantime, while you're waiting, go through your manuscript again and again, is it the best it could possibly be?

Be prepared!

What you need to be prepared for is rejection, more rejection and yet further rejection. Some authors have had to submit and re-submit their work for years before they finally get noticed. The key is to believe in what you're doing, obtain as much criticism and feedback as possible. Listen to what people tell you, make changes as necessary and keep trying.

Which publisher?

The best place to find a publisher is in the Writers and Artists Yearbook which is available at your local library, this is an invaluable source of reference and provides additional information for each publisher such as the subject matter they publish. i.e. don't send a novel to a publisher who only publishes poems! Make a shortlist and contact them.

What do I need to send?

The precise details will be on your submittal form. Sometimes this is the whole manuscript, sometimes just the first three chapters, together with a covering letter giving information about yourself and your experience as a writer and a synopsis of the novel.

What format does it need to be in?

The general rule is double line spacing, 12 pitch text and make sure you use page numbers and put your name and the title on each page.

How do I send it?

Unless the publishers states specifically how they want it, generally it is loose-leaf within a folder. Make sure the title, your name and the page numbers are on each page in case it gets dropped or separated. Don't forget to send a Stamped Address Envelope for its return.

What postage to I use?

Recorded delivery or registered mail, any service which will confirm or guarantee that it gets there.

How long till I hear anything?

The waiting period could be as much as two months although can vary depending if they're busy.

How do I know if they have it?

Some publishers will acknowledge receipt with a card, others won't let you know at all. Just hang in there.

Its been 2-3 weeks and I haven't heard anything?

Be patient, they're busy, give them another week and then perhaps make a courteous enquiry by email or phone. Whatever you do, don't be too persistent, don't hassle them, they will reply in the end.

Can I send my manuscript to more than one publisher?

Personally I would send to one at a time as this shows more respect for their time and effort to review it. If you have good reason to send to more than one, let them know just in case.

Which publisher do I go with?

This really is down to you, which one has given you the best service so far? Which one promises to give you the best service, the best royalty payments, the best care? Decide carefully after studying all the facts and the small print.

Use the internet to find reviews or comments from peoples experiences. Also ask if you can make contact with any of the current authors and ask how their experience has been.

What is an agent?

An agent is a third party who's duty it is to look after your creative interests. They take 'a slice of your cake', normally 10%-15% of your royalties, although for the role they play and they expertise they can provide, you might consider this option. A smaller share of a larger cake is often better than a larger share of a much smaller cake.

Would I recommend an Agent?

Definitely..... They can provide you with a great deal of help, assistance, expertise and know who is probably the best publisher to publish your work.

Do I have to pay to get my book published?

There are a few publishers out there who ask you to contribute to the costs of publishing the book which can get into quite an expensive way of doing it, especially if sales of your book aren't particularly successful.

Joint Venture or Vanity Publishing is probably not worth considering unless you have explored all available avenues first, and even then, maybe you should consider Self Publishing?

Why do I have to pay?

Well known authors are guaranteed book sales, unknowns are not. Depending on the type of publisher you approach and the nature of their business will determine if, and how much you pay.

What is Vanity Publishing?

This is where you specifically pay to have your book published for a few copies to hand out to your friends and family, there is generally no marketing or publicity deal included, although the term has been connected to Joint Venture Publishing.

How can I identify a Vanity Publisher?

In my experience this be determined by the type of agreement or contract you enter into.

If they do not require any up front payment and will produce quantities of your book and promote it to the book trade, they are a normal publisher.

If they require money and will produce a batch of books for you, family and friends it is Vanity Publishing.

If they require money to produce a sufficient quantity of your book for sale and intend to promote it to the book trade then it is Joint Venture publishing.

The general rule is that the author never pays to have their book published, the publisher pays the author!

What is Self Publishing?

This method of publishing is where you produce the manuscript, cover design and all other associated preparation and get an independent company to print a quantity of books. You then promote it and yourself to the book trade in the hope that you end up with a larger share of the pie.

Dependent on the type of project this could be a very lucrative method of publishing, but it requires a lot of hard work and effort.

How do royalty payments work?

This information will be in your contract from the publisher and varies quite greatly. This should be one of the things that you should consider before deciding on a publisher.