How to Find a Publisher? – Get Published with Authors Breeze

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Key Takeaways: How to Find a Publisher?

• Since it is difficult to find a publisher for a book, the literary world has introduced multiple publishing paths to give authors more flexibility in bringing their books to market.
• Whether you’re self-publishing or going traditional, it’s important to know the key figures in the industry, such as authors, agents, publishers, booksellers, etc.
• Always try to find a publisher that is interested in your book’s type.
• Seek a review of your manuscript from trusted sources and try to improve it accordingly.
• Create an author website and social media profiles to show publishers you have an audience.
• Check the submission guidelines of each targeted publisher before sending in your query letters.
• Refine the first three chapters of your manuscript before anything.
• Write a compelling book proposal to increase your chances of getting a deal.
• You can submit your book either through a literary agent or without an agent. It totally depends on your goals.
• Once you find a publisher and land a deal, make sure to read the important clauses in the agreement, such as copyrights, royalties, foreign rights, etc.
• Be patient with your publishers and communicate effectively.
• Nowadays, self-publishing is a way better option than traditional publishing because it provides you complete control over your work as well as higher royalties.
• If you choose to self-publish you need to format, edit, and market your book along with writing it.
• The literary industry is evolving with various recent developments, including AI, e-book expansion, and the use of social media.

Introduction

Getting your book into the hands of a trustworthy publisher has always been tricky. Especially for first-time authors. It's because, with the continuous evolution of the literary world, we now have more opportunities than ever before. The publishing world is advancing with the following:

• The rise of digital tools
• Self-publishing options
• Traditional publishers using new market trends.

So, as a beginner, if you want to know how to find a publisher in detail, continue reading this step-by-step guide. As a result, it will help you understand what the publishing industry has to offer, how it’s evolving, and what the new trends of the industry are.

Overview Of The Publishing Industry

There are multiple aspects of the publishing industry that need to be discussed. The first and foremost aspect is the publishing route.

The Main Publishing Routes

To let you know, the publishing industry has been evolving greatly, and now we have three publishing paths to choose from:

• Traditional Publishing – The old conventional method to get your book out in the world.
• Self-publishing – The new and most used method to get your book out in the world.
• Hybrid publishing is basically a blend of traditional publishing and self-publishing.

To understand better about these paths, you can read the following blogs:

• Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing [Which is Better?]
• How To Self-Publish Your Own Book in 8 Steps – Easiest Guide
• What is Hybrid Publishing? Expectations vs Reality

Now, let's move on to the other aspects of the publishing industry.

The Main Figures Of The Publishing Industry

These are the people that you will surely encounter, whatever the path you choose.

So, here's a quick breakdown of the publishing roles that you should understand before you begin your publication journey.

Authors

Oh hey, that is you. You probably don't need much detail about the role of authors, but let me give you a brief overview.

Authors are the heart of the industry. They create the stories and content that drive the entire process. They may work independently, with agents, or directly with publishers.

Literary Agents

Agents represent authors. They help them pitch their manuscripts to publishers (to traditional publishers) and negotiate favorable contracts in return for a commission. So, they're basically the bridge between writers and the publishing world.

Publishers

These are the entities responsible for bringing books to market. They oversee the production, marketing, and distribution of your book, making it reach the right audience.

If you go with traditional publishing, then it could be anything: a small independent press or a big publishing house. And if you choose to self-publish, then you are the publisher.

Plus you can always seek help from a self-publishing company like Authors Breeze as well in case of any issues during the process.

Key Tip:

“Beware of the vanity publishers (publishing companies to avoid) who require upfront charges or have no prior record because they are possible scammers.”

Editors

These are the professionals who perform different types of editing throughout the process to give your book the best chance of success. Some different types of editors include the following:

• Developmental Editors/Alpha readers
• Beta readers
• Copy editors
• Proofreaders/Gamma readers

Traditional publishers provide editors. But, if you want to self-publish, you'll need to hire professional book editors.

Designers and Illustrators

These are crucial in the book publishing process. They help you create visually appealing book cover designs and also format your book's interior for print or digital formats.

Moreover, if you're planning to publish a children's book that requires illustrations, be aware most traditional publishers prefer to select the illustrator.

Book Sellers

They are responsible for distributing and retailing your book online and in physical bookstores worldwide. Some examples include the following:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble Press
• Baker & Taylor
• IngramSpark, etc.

Marketing & Publicity Teams
Helps promote the book through advertising, media outreach, book tours, book marketing campaigns, and more.

Authors, especially in self-publishing, often handle their own marketing.

Rights & Licensing Professionals
They handle the legal aspects of the process, such as translation rights, copyrights, film/TV adaptations, audiobook production, and international distribution.

How to Find The Right Publisher?

Now that you have a knowhow of the publishing industry, let us help you find a publisher for your first-ever book.

Identify And Research Your Genre

First and foremost, always determine the genre of your book. As an author, you must look out for what people are into lately and the hot-selling genres. After that, thoroughly research the market for available publishers in your genre.

This approach will help you learn about the publishers like:

• What are they looking/acquiring in a book?
• How well will your book fit into that space?

Complete Your Book and Acquire Feedback

Now that you have figured out the genre of your book, complete your book and seek feedback on your manuscript. Get honest feedback from trusted sources. Also, be open to their suggestions and edit your manuscript accordingly. It is crucial to make your book well-versed for the literary agent.

Build A Strong Author Platform

The next and most crucial step is to build an online author platform. It is necessary to connect with your target audience. Thus, if you haven’t made one, you are far behind in the publishing process. Most publishers value authors with an existing audience. Therefore, create:

• Author’s website
• Social media handles

Also, to build a strong network and get in touch with various publishers and agents, you must:

• Attend writing conferences and book events.
• Connect with other writers in your genre.
• Create relationships with industry professionals.

These strategies will help you build a strong community around your work and will help you find a publisher for your book easily.

Search Potential Publishers

Look out for publishers that align well with your goals, and make a list of them. Check whether they have a positive track record of publishing books similar to yours. By doing so, the chances of your manuscript getting accepted and published are increased.

This strategy applies to every publishing route. Be it self-publishers, traditional publishers, or hybrid publishers.

However, if you need detailed insights on each publisher, you can read the following:

• The 20 BEST Self-Publishing Companies
• Traditional Publishers Accepting Submissions for New Authors

Do You Know?

There are five big traditional publishing houses named “THE BIG FIVE”. It includes the following:

• Hachette Book Group
• HarperCollins
• Macmillan Publishers
• Penguin Random House
• Simon & Schuster

Try to target these publishers because it will increase the credibility and visibility of your work.

Now, from here, the steps follow the traditional publishing process. However, for the self-publishing process, continue reading till the end.

Seek Literary Agent

Many traditional publishers require submissions through a representative or agent. Therefore, research literary agents that represent your genre well and have good connections with various publishers. In addition to that, look closely at their guidelines and tailor your submissions accordingly.

For more information, read How to Get a Literary Agent for Your Book?

Send Query Letters

When you have done researching a literary agent for your book, it’s time to submit your query letter. A query letter is a short document that typically includes the following:

• Your short bio and credentials as an author.
• Book’s genre and your target audience.
• Manuscript synopsis (including the end).
• The reason why you want to work with them.

However, every agent has different submission guidelines. So read them thoroughly before submitting your query letter.

Key Tip:

 Make sure to correctly format your query letter before submitting.

Send a Book Proposal

Along with a query letter, another document is also sent to the publishers, a book proposal.  It is a crucial document when seeking a publisher, especially if you writing a non-fiction book.

A book proposal provides publishers an insight into a book's marketability, audience, and potential success. The following are the things that need to be added to an engaging book proposal:

• Book title, author name, and contact details.
• About your target audience.
• A summary of your book and its unique selling points.
• Competitive analysis on how your book will stand out in the market.
• Your book marketing plan.
• Chapter breakdown.

A strong proposal boosts your chances of getting published by proving your book's potential. Therefore, follow submission guidelines, keep it clear, and proofread for professionalism.

Submit Your Manuscript

Okay, so if your proposal intrigues the agent, they will request your manuscript. Make sure to properly read the submission guidelines before submitting.

After you submit your manuscript your agent will pitch your book to publishers. When they'll get a deal they will come back to you and provide you details.

Remember that this whole process can take a few months to a year. So, be patient and follow up professionally.

If you don't have enough time, no worries! You can directly submit your manuscript to publishers, without a literary agent as well.

However, direct submissions require thorough research about the publishers because not all publishers accept unagented manuscripts.

Always remember that when you submit your manuscript (with or without an agent) edit and format your manuscript correctly. You can either do it yourself or with the help of professional formatters.

One more thing to remember is that rejection is part of the process. So, accept rejections gracefully and work more on your manuscript rather than getting disappointed.

Make The Deal

If you are fortunate enough to get an offer from the publishers that fits your terms best, make a deal. But first, thoroughly read the guidelines and other legal aspects of the contract. It is crucial to safeguard your rights and ensure fair compensation for your work.

In a publishing contract, check out the following:

• Royalty Percentages – How much percent royalties will you get?
• Intellectual Property Rights – Will your manuscript be your intellect or the publisher’s?
• International Distribution Rights – Are foreign and filmmaking rights given to you or not?
• Copyright Ownership – Who is going to have the copyrights and how your work will be protected against illegal use?

Once you have signed the contract, your publisher will typically handle the whole thing to help prepare your manuscript for publication. From editing to book cover designing and marketing, everything is their responsibility.

Therefore, when making a deal, ensure you and your chosen publishers are on the same page. Communicate with them efficiently so your book reaches a larger audience and gets better sales.

Read also: How to Get a Book Deal Without An Agent

For Self-publishing

When we talk about publishing, this aspect also needs to be discussed because it’s now very famous among authors.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but finding a traditional publisher for first-time authors is as difficult as finding Nemo in the lost sea! Yes, that is quite a harsh truth. This is one of the reasons behind the rise of authors who choose to self-publish a book.

Many authors researching how to find a publisher eventually decide that self-publishing is the best route for them because this path has immense advantages and “EVERYTHING IS IN YOUR CONTROL”

Some major benefits of self-publishing are as follows:

• Full authority over content, cover design, pricing, and book marketing strategies.
• A larger percentage of royalties per sale compared to traditional publishing.
• Quick publication process without the need for agents or publishers.
• Instant access to a global audience through online platforms.
• Complete ownership of rights, allowing flexibility to adapt or republish.

As mentioned earlier, self-publishing means everything is in your hands. This means you are free to edit and format your book. Also, you can DIY your book cover design and market your book according to your goals. We'll help you streamline this DIY process by providing you with some essential tips:

Tips for Book Cover Design

• Match the genre of your book to attract the right readers.
• Use clear fonts and appropriate font size for easy readability.
• Follow size & format guidelines for print and digital versions.
• Hire a professional cover designer for a polished book front.

Tips for Editing and Proofreading

• Proofread manually or hire certified proofreaders.
• Seek help from beta readers for early feedback.
• Ensure proper formatting for both digital and print versions.

Tips for Book Marketing

• Build an online presence through a website and social media platforms.
• Make an email list and send author newsletters to connect with readers.
• Run paid book advertisements to increase visibility and sales.

Tips for Book Promotion

• Reach out to book bloggers for reviews and features.
• Host virtual & in-person events for book launches.
• Start a podcast to share your story.

However, if you are unable to find a publisher for your book, don't worry. Every problem has a solution! You can hire experts from Authors Breeze, that too at budget-friendly prices. So, leverage the advantages of self-publishing and achieve your publishing goal right away!

Latest Trends In the Book Publishing Industry

If you are unsure about how to find a publisher then take a look at some of the latest developments made in the publishing industry that are widely implemented to get a suitable book publisher.

Audiobook Explosion

Audiobooks are rapidly growing, with platforms like Audible and Spotify driving demand. Their on-the-go convenience has led to increased investment in high-quality audiobook production, including multi-voice narrations.

Self-Publishing and Indie Authors Growth

Platforms like Amazon KDP empower authors with creative control and higher earnings. They allow many indie writers to achieve bestseller status, especially in genres like romance and fantasy.

Social Media Influence (BookTok & Bookstagram)

TikTok and Instagram have become vital marketing tools. They can help skyrocket your book's sales overnight.

E-Book Growth

E-books thrive in genres like romance, sci-fi, and self-help, with subscription services like Kindle Unlimited and Scribd attracting readers who prefer digital libraries.

AI and Automation

AI tools are streamlining many tasks like editing, cover design, and writing assistance. Thus, speeding up the publishing process and cutting costs.

Conclusion

When you get on the publishing journey, don’t forget that finding the right publisher is crucial among many others. While dealing with the complexity of book publishing, remember that it’s also an encouraging experience that can lead to a lifetime of success.

With the help of this guide, you can get the right publishers for your book. Whether you’re going with traditional publishing or exploring some self-publishing platforms like Authors Breeze, it’s essential to understand the type of your book.

Frequently Asked Questions