How to Find a Publisher for Your Book
If you read the comments at the end of several articles, you'll see the question, "What publishers do you recommend?" pop up again and again.
 My answer is always the same: "Do your homework."
It's not that I'm lazy, but I have no way of telling whom, amongst the myriad large and small publishers, would be "best" for any book or author. If I had that kind of insight and information, I'd be retired by now, having made a fortune by selling my psychic powers to authors worldwide.
If you want to get your book published, then my friend, do your homework.
But I'm not going to totally leave you in the dark here. Finding someone to publish your book is challenging at best, and utterly frustrating and humiliating at its worst. You might write query letters or book proposals to publishers and agents, only to receive a pile of rejection letters.
Some publishers will tell you hold on to your day job, a not so subtle way of saying they hated your writing. Others might offer a few suggestions on how to improve your work. Most will either ignore you completely or send you a form rejection letter.
Don't despair, as not all is lost. It may be that your book truly is a rotten, stinking heap of manure. Many first books are just that. Or, it could be that you're barking up the wrong tree and need to send your letters and proposals to different publishers.
Here are a few simple tips for finding the right publisher who might actually like your book. Oh, and these tips apply equally for nonfiction and fiction books.
Finding a publisher Tip #1:
Go to your library, Amazon, or major book sellers. At the library, you can talk with the librarian about your book. Ask her or him for recommendations of books that are similar to yours, and that are popular.
The idea is to locate and examine books similar to yours that are popular enough to make it into the librarian's catalogue-like mind, as well as the shelves of the major book stores. This tells you that:
- The books are selling; and
- Book stores are interested in that type of book.
By "similar" I mean that the books are the same genre (romance, mystery, self-help, business marketing, etc.) and/or they cover the same topic areas. You don't want to peddle your science fiction masterpiece to a publisher who specializes in cook books, unless your novel contains a bevy of recipes from the ancient Orginians of the Plasma galaxy.
Once you've located several similar and popular books, just see who published the books. The information is right there on one of the first few pages of the books. Amazon lists it for you in the book information.
Now, before you stuff your manuscript in an envelope and send it to the publisher, read Tip #2.
Finding a publisher Tip #2:
Do your homework. Yeah, I know. I'm repeating myself. Go online and find the publisher. Any reasonable publisher will have a web site. Most, if not all, will list their submission guidelines on the website. Honestly, it couldn't be much easier.
They'll tell you exactly what they need. And don't assume that they're all the same, because they aren't. Some will want a couple of sample chapters. Many will simply request a query letter.
Follow their instructions to the letter. This is not the time to be a rebel because you'll just piss off an editor who may have otherwise liked your book concept.
As for the query letter or book proposal, there are several excellent books available on how to write a great query letter and book proposals. Pick up a couple and read them thoroughly before writing yours.
If you've written a piece of fiction, the publisher will most often want to understand what your book is about and read a sample of your writing. Only if they like the concept and your writing will they want to see the full manuscript. Be sure to have the complete manuscript ready to go - fully and completely edited by a professional editor - before you send your letter. Yes, the publisher will provide an editor, but not if your book reads like a sixth grader's book report.
It's like a job interview. You have to look sharp from the time you "walk in the door."
The same goes for a book proposal. While a query letter might be two pages, a book proposal will be several pages in length. Generally, nonfiction publishers will ask for a proposal that includes (at a minimum):
- Summary of the book
- A short description of the book
- A demographics/market analysis
- Table of contents with chapter summaries
- A marketing plan
- And one or two sample chapters
In most cases you won't need more than a couple chapters written for your nonfiction book when you send the proposal. If they like the book they'll ask you how long it will take you to finish the book.
Finding a publisher Tip #3:
Take as much time writing your query letter and/or proposal as you spent on your book. Would you wear your dirty clothes to a job interview? Too many otherwise good books are never read by the publishers because the query letters were poorly written.
Your query letter starts out as little more than junk mail. You've got to grab their attention from the start and sell them on your book and book concept. If your letter is poorly written, they'll never want to read any more of your writing.
Make your letter into something of a sales letter. If your writing style and your book are humorous, then add humor to your letter. Show them how well you write as you're selling your book idea.
What to do if nobody wants you
Here are three things you can do if your book is rejected by everyone:
- Give up and sulk for the rest of your life. Tell everyone that you "gave it your best shot." Decide that you're not really a writer after all. How foolish of you! Now grow up and get a real job. (Please don't take anything I said here seriously!!) The REAL first option is to go back and rewrite your book according to whatever suggestions you received. Improve your writing and try resubmitting to any publishers who liked the idea but felt the writing or story could be improved.
- Self-publish your book. We have a number of articles on this site on self-publishing. You can also go to Dan Poynter's web site (www.parapub.com), one of the best resources for self-publishing on the web.
- Set your book aside and start a new book. Books can be like the first batch of pancakes that end up burnt or gooey in the middle. Sometimes it takes two sample batches to get it just right. If this book didn't work, then so what? Write another, better book. Take whatever suggestions you received to heart and apply them to the next book. Write THIS book from your heart instead of writing simply to get published.
Now… stop asking me who I might recommend as a publisher. Go forth and do your homework.
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