For authors considering submitting their manuscript to a publishing house, there are a few things to consider. For instance, some publishers might only publish romance, while others only publish nonfiction history. Maybe one wants to see your entire manuscript immediately, while others prefer a synopsis and a sample chapter. Still others (vanity presses, especially) might charge a fee.
Here is a list of things to consider and research as you select what publishing houses to which you might submit your manuscript:
Do they publish your genre?
Your success of having your manuscript considered will go up if they publish books like yours. Psychological thriller fiction is not the same as a self-help psychology book!
Do they accept manuscripts directly from you, or do they require an agent?
Many publishers like to work directly with the author. Others prefer to work with a literary agent as a go-between.
Are they currently accepting manuscripts?
Some have been so inundated with manuscripts or requests that they are not receiving any. If you submit something to them, it will be trashed immediately. So don’t waste your time or effort if they are not currently accepting manuscripts. With diligent research, their website WILL let you know if they are. Some have “windows” of when they accept manuscripts, and a few have “contests” during which you would submit a manuscript. Be on the lookout, and make sure your book fits their criteria.
What are their submission guidelines?
It is STRONGLY ADVISED that you do NOT just select a publisher, bundle up your manuscript, and send it off. Every publishing house has its own criteria. Some want an email, while others want you to complete an online form. Some want a comprehensive book proposal, and others want the entire manuscript.
Following the submission guidelines described on their website will yield better results for you. For example, I am working with an author on a nonfiction black history book who selected UNC Press as her top choice to submit her manuscript. An outline of their submission guidelines is as follows:
- Select an appropriate editor from their roster.
- Send an introductory email describing the project (no attachments). You might get a response within 2-3 weeks.
- If they are interested, they will then request a book proposal that also includes a cover letter, a resume of the author, and two chapters from the book. Their review of the book proposal could take 6-8 weeks. I advise that the book proposal be complete and ready to go when you first send the introductory email. Once you submit the requested book proposal, make sure the manuscript and materials are prepared to their specifications so that they are ready to go if and when they request it.
- If they are still interested after reviewing the book proposal, they then have a form for you to complete and ask that you send in the entire manuscript for review.
This recap is an example of one type of submission guidelines each publisher has. Follow them precisely as the publisher wants, and your chances of success increase.
Is there a fee for you to use their services?
Vanity presses ask for exorbitant fees for you to use their publishing services. I have also discovered a few publishers that charge a “submission” fee for you to submit your manuscript, which, frankly, is weird. Don’t pay large amounts of money for these services. I have heard of authors paying tens of thousands of dollars that yielded minimal results.
A traditional publisher does NOT charge any fees for their services.
If a traditional publishing house does not accept your manuscript, self-publish! You might need to invest a little bit of money and a lot more time, but you won’t go into debt doing it, and you will still become a published author. There are plenty of free resources or services like BookLayoutPro.com that charge reasonable fees to help guide you through the process.
You, the author, are in charge of your publishing destiny. Wishing you the greatest of success.
