Dear Aspiring Author,
If you're looking for a publisher for your book, here are simple and effective ways to go about it.
Use recommendations to find publishers, but don't let anyone else decide for you.
Start by making a list of three publishers you’d like to work with.
Here’s how to find and shortlist your publishers.
Visit a good bookshop. Find the section where your book would belong.
Pick up five books you admire. Not necessarily bestsellers. Books you'd be proud to see yours sitting beside.
Look at the covers, read a few opening pages and examine the quality of editing and interior design.
Turn to the copyright pages and write down the publishers' names.
Now do the same online.
Browse books in your genre on Amazon and publishers' websites. Look for books whose covers, presentation and descriptions appeal to you. Find out who published them.
Don't be overly impressed by a publisher's size or how many books they have on bookshop shelves. Some excellent publishers work with a small number of authors and sell their books primarily online.
Now examine the publishers you've discovered.
Do the publishers publish your kind of book?
Do they accept direct enquiries or require a literary agent?
Do they offer the publishing arrangement you want?
Some publishers pay advances against future royalties. Others charge for professional publishing services.
Neither arrangement is automatically better or worse. Understand the difference before you decide.
READ MORE: Big Publishers. Small Publishers. How to Select Your Publisher.
Cross off anyone who doesn't suit your manuscript or your ambitions.
And ask yourself: Would I be happy if my own book was published to the same standard?
If not, cross them off too.
Keep going until you have three names.
Now you have your shortlist.
Next, find out who will actually work on your manuscript; here’s why.
Almost anyone can self-publish a book these days. But it takes a certain genius to recognise you need an experienced publisher to guide you through the process.
And once you've found that professional, trust their judgement.
An experienced publisher knows when a manuscript needs structural or developmental editing, when a chapter should be rewritten, when something should be removed and, equally importantly, when the writing should be left alone.
Why A good publisher will also help you develop a book with its own identity.
From capturing your vision in the cover design to choosing the typography, chapter headings, title, paper and all those little details you may never have considered.
These decisions are essential elements to your book, not an afterthought.
They shape how your readers experience your book, and how you're positioned as a writer.
Find out who makes those editorial decisions.
Who will read your manuscript?
Who oversees the editing and design?
Who checks the final proofs?
And who takes responsibility for the finished book?
Are you comfortable working with multiple departments?
Or do you prefer a hands-on, personal approach from your publisher?
If the publishing company you've shortlisted has ten departments and takes weeks to answer a simple email, and you find it annoying, don't waste your time. Cross them off your list.
Now arrange a conversation with the publishers who remain on your list.
Do not hire a publisher until you speak to them; here’s why:
Tell each one about your manuscript and what you want to achieve.
Ask how they would approach publishing it.
Then listen.
Can they explain what work might be needed and why?
Frankly, do they know what they're talking about?
I once worked with a large New York-based publisher, only to discover they had never read our manuscript. The cover had nothing to do with the book's contents. They even advised us to start a blog, despite having been sent our ten-year-old blog with hundreds of articles before the meeting.
Some publishers simply aren't paying attention.
Cross them off your list.
If a publisher tells you they can publish absolutely anything you send them, I'd be cautious.
An experienced publisher should recognise when a manuscript needs more work and be prepared to tell you so.
A publisher worth working with shouldn't agree to publish something simply because you're willing to pay.
You don't need someone who agrees with everything you say. You need someone whose judgement you can trust.
Remember! A writer-publisher relationship is long-term; here’s how to protect it.
You'll be working together for several months, possibly longer, before your book is published. And the relationship may continue for years afterwards.
Make sure you're comfortable entrusting your manuscript to the person you're working with.
Equally, make sure that if a professional divorce becomes necessary, you can both walk away with a smile.
What is your publisher willing to offer, and why is it essential to you as a writer?
Ask each publisher for a clear explanation of their offer.
If you're paying for publishing services, find out exactly what's included.
Does the publishing fee cover editorial assessment, editing, proofreading, cover design, typesetting and production?
What about distribution?
Will there be additional charges?
Ask about copyright, publishing rights, royalties and the conditions for ending the agreement.
And don't sign anything you don't understand.
Now think about where you want your book to go.
Here are different places your book may go, and why you should discuss that early.
If your goal is to publish a memoir for your family and sales aren't the primary motivation, you may need a very different publishing arrangement than someone who wants international distribution and commercial sales.
Do you want your book available through Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble and all other booksellers?
Do you have particular bookshops in mind?
Ask your publisher what distribution arrangements they can offer.
And be warned: if anyone promises your book will appear on the shelves of a particular bookshop, I'd be very cautious.
Being available to order is not the same as being stocked. And distribution doesn't guarantee sales.
Find out what happens to your book after publication.
Here’s why you want to think about book marketing before you hire a publisher.
Will your publisher help promote you as an author, or simply arrange the publication of your book?
Do you want your publisher to support your book marketing, or are you comfortable promoting and selling your own books?
Ask what book sale support is included and what you'll be expected to do yourself.
What else do you hope to achieve with your book?
Perhaps you want your story adapted for film or theatre.
If that's important to you, find out whether your publisher has experience or connections in those areas.
Not every publisher needs to offer these services. But if your ambitions extend beyond the printed page, it's worth discussing them from the beginning.
By now, you should have a much clearer idea of whom you'd like to work with.
Now you've found your publisher.
Don't hire an experienced professional and then refuse to listen to their advice.
You don't have to agree on everything. But if you've chosen someone for their expertise and judgement, give them room to use both.
If I were you, I'd choose the publisher whose work impressed me, who understood what I wanted to achieve with my book, and with whom I felt comfortable having a difficult conversation.
Because there will be decisions to make, problems to solve and, occasionally, disagreements.
You want someone who can handle all three.
Publishing a book takes time, thought and effort. You've invested your emotions, ideas and perhaps years of your life in writing it.
Take your time choosing the person who will help you bring it into the world.
And when you find the right publisher, enjoy the experience. Seeing your book come to life is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take.
I wish you every success with yours.
Yours sincerely,
Tamara Forrest-Smith
Writer | Publisher | Producer
Publishing Books That Live Forever.
P.S. If you'd like to put Master And Man Books on your shortlist of three publishers, I'd be delighted. Here's why you might want to consider me to be your publisher.
Take a look at Master And Man Books. See the books we publish. Check our socials too here.
Find out why I work personally with every author - see my publishing services.
I'm also a writer, ghostwriter and author. I understand the process from both sides of the manuscript. Discover how I can work with you.
I direct the Alan Forrest Smith Literary Foundation. Find out what we're doing with Alan's literary work with writers and artists. Discover About the Literary Foundation.
I founded the Altrincham Storytelling Festival with great success. Discover more.
I also produce - I took a single poem and developed it into a book, a theatre production and an entire storytelling festival.
Have a look around. Then, if my work with writers like you sounds interesting, tell me about your manuscript, book, or idea.
Visit the contact page and send me a message.
Or Text/WhatsApp me on: 0044(0)7793069486
