Why should I choose you as my publisher? What is the special something you can provide that the others cannot?
This is a very common query we as new publishers encounter on a daily basis and rightly so.
You have burnt the midnight oil, poured in your soul on paper and have cherished it like your baby.
As a writer and a future author who has invested so much time and effort in writing your book, it only makes sense that you should take the time to find the right publisher for your work. Choosing the right publisher is vital to the process of getting published, and with such a wide variety of markets and publishing options available, it’s critical that authors research those options.
However, before you contact and begin communicating with a publisher, it is imperative that you ask yourself an all-important question: what do you hope to achieve through publication? Is your goal to get published with a big name and to see your book on the shelves of bookstores across the country? Or is your goal to publish in a professional-quality keepsake that you can share with family and friends? It is imperative that you are brutally honest with yourself, because only then would you know what you are seeking in the wide publisher market.
Whether you submit to a traditional publisher or self-publish your book you need to carefully review potential publishers before making a decision. There are a variety of models of publishing, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Think ahead and make a list of questions and wants you have regarding your book. See which publisher matches the most of your needs and gives the best answers to your questions.
HERE ARE SOME FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A PUBLISHER.
Be aware of the different choices you have. The publishing industry is evolving and as well as traditional publishing there are a variety of routes for an author and options for them to invest in their own work, either through self-publishing or cooperative publishing.
Please research how traditional publishing houses work. Typically, they will look to guarantee a good return on investment and are looking for something that sounds new and innovative while also being reliably marketable. Publishers on their part will also research market trends in book sales to find out if there’s a market for your book.
Have specific targets in mind. Is it profit you are looking for or just plain readership? Know what you want go get out of the process in addition to book sales.
Be open-minded about your work. Strike a balance between the integrity of your written work and the possibility for publishers and editors to improve it. Publishers have the experience to turn a great idea into a commercial success with tweaks in the story and the language. But remember, the goal here is simple – to produce the best book possible.
Wasting too much time chasing a book deal is just not worth it. It can take anywhere from 12-18 months from signing the contract to seeing a book in print. If your plan A to secure a traditional publishing deal, is not working out or the big publishers are not interested, you should consider your Plan B to be taking control of the process and either self-publishing or using the services of a cooperative publisher.
The editor is the most crucial to your positive publishing experience. The editor who is going to work on your book should be a keen participant and needs to convey sincere enthusiasm for you, the author and your book(s). The editor should be completely aligned with your vision for the book and hopefully for your future as an author; and also assists you author in polishing your work till you and your publisher are both satisfied with the outcome.
The publisher’s contract terms are very important and each publisher handles it differently. Please make an informed decision before you finalise your publisher.
Seek guidance from the beginning. It would be a shame not to seek the advice which could turn a great idea into a commercial success; remember the experience publishers have and take advantage of their skills to complement your own.
As the author begin building or strengthening your own promotional structure so that you have a ready audience once your book is out, especially if you opt for self-publishing or co-operative publishing. Find and create a community – make connections, meet new friends, increase the quality of your online presence. The book, when it is finally out there, will reach out to a wider audience and reader base, not necessarily for the sole aim of selling your book but also to deliver your message to the world.
We sincerely hope that you are able to publish your book soon and have great success with it. All the very best!