Publishing
Talk: 10 things to consider when choosing a publisher
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Choosing the right publisher
is vital to the process of getting published, says Mindy
Gibbins-Klein.
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. To help shed some light on the process of finding a publisher,
I’ve put together a list of top tips from my 14 years of experience.
1. 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.
2. Know how traditional
publishing houses work. Usually they will look to to guarantee a good return on
investment and are looking for something that sounds new and innovative while
also being reliably marketable. Publishers look at trends in book sales to
establish whether there’s a market for your book. It is important to remember
that new markets are created all the time, and all it takes is a spark of
inspiration, a little research and lots of dedication.
3. Have specific targets
in mind. Know what you want go get out of the process in addition to
book sales.
4. Be open-minded about
your work. Strike a balance between the integrity of your work and the
potential for publishers and editors to improve it. Publishers have the
experience to turn a great idea into a commercial success with often minor
tweaks. After all, both of you want to produce the best book possible.
5. PR is the best way to
get news out and achieve media coverage. Research your
publisher’s PR department as a third party endorsing you will add a lot to
your credibility and means you don’t have to ‘sell yourself’. Some companies
use their marketing department for PR, the effectiveness of which depends on
the sort of relationships these departments can forge with key contacts in
the media. PR is a full time job which is best done by professionals.
6. Don’t waste too much
time chasing a book deal. It typically takes 12-18 months from signing the contract to
seeing a book in print. If your plan A is to secure a traditional publishing
deal, I recommend you consider your Plan B to be taking control of the process
and either self-publishing or using the services of a cooperative publisher.
7. Call in the
professionals. If you do invest in your own book, consider using a
full-service or a cooperative publishing partner, who can do a lot of the leg
work for you, managing the entire project and reaching more outlets and
readers than you could do on your own. Take the most professional path you
can afford; the best cooperative publishers launch your book to the media and
get it listed with hundreds of sites in addition to Amazon. They will
get your book into bricks and mortar stores and can even arrange translation
deals.
8. Edit your work. Whatever route you
take, make sure that you’re using a professional editor with plenty of
experience working on full-length books.
9. Get to know your
publishing team. You will be speaking to them on a regular basis, so it’s vital
that you get to know your publishing team and know how they work as a team.
Working with the right team is critical, so it’s important that you’re
compatible and get along. You’ll know straight away if the fit isn’t right
for you.
10. 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.
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