Publisher Of Book
5 Steps to the Perfect Christian Book Publisher
By Andrew Collier
Laboring a manuscript to its last word consumes much of a writer’s time, that is, time for himself, and even for his family sometimes. That is why it is never easy for many of them to receive sweeping rejection notices from publishers. However, authors must also understand that a Christian book publisher takes risks when investing in an author’s work. For a manuscript to be palatable to publishers, writers only need to keep in mind the following five steps.
As the first course of action, writers may visit some bookstores within the area and ask around for schedules of book fairs, as these events are one-stop shop of publishing houses. If possible, requesting for a listing of participating book companies is highly recommended. Bookstores will often have another list that may be of interest-the bestsellers list. It gives a practical insight into the kind of content and genre that sell to most number of people, and provides information on the companies that publish them.
Next is to show up at book fair, signing, and launching events. Interacting with publishers in person is most effective in finding out what they are looking for in a manuscript. If budget allows, writers should print their own business cards, as these will help them gain better leverage and exposure among the publishers. Preparing a set of questions to ask companies is also advised, since book fairs are busy affairs for publishers.
The third step is to do some research on the publishers present during the event, starting with the ones that are likely to consider one’s book project. Visiting the Internet is one cost-effective way to do this. Information about a publisher’s profile and requirements for manuscript submission are often exhaustive in its website. Notwithstanding, the Internet also provides resources for writers to be familiar with the ins and outs of the publishing industry.
Then, writers should begin packaging their manuscript or book project according to the criteria of their desired Christian book publisher. It includes a cover letter that gives a background of the author and overall purpose for writing the book. The second part of the package is the synopsis of the book with chapter summaries. Lastly, it should also include a sample chapter or a brief excerpt of the book. Such a package is designed to wet the publisher’s appetite.
The last step is submitting the manuscript. There is little value in handing over one’s book to a publisher in person, because chief editors need some days to pour over it before coming to a decision. Increasing one’s chances of getting published is possible with the help of a literary agent, who has connections and influence in the industry, but it will entail sharing a portion of the royalty pie.
But if the budget cannot accommodate the services of a literary agent, the writer can still get up close and personal to these companies by attending conferences and training opportunities that gather the major and minor players in publishing. When coming to these affairs, it is good to prepare the manuscript package in two or three sets for possible submission right then and there.
The five steps above are in no way exhaustive and there are plenty of other, more creative methods of selling a book project. For one, there is the “Book Publishing Mini-Course”, which is a free training opportunity that Trinity Living Today gives to writers who want to be more persuasive in convincing publishers.
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Possibly the Lord of the Rings & Hobbit, Shakespear plays, or the Kabala. I didn’t even think people could sell the bible. I always thought people just gave them out for free. You know like the Giddeons who go around and give out bibles to hotels.
What is the worlds biggest selling single publisher book?
IE The Bible is the worlds biggest selling book but it is sold by multiple publishers. What is the biggest selling book to be sold under one publisher? My guess is one of the Harry Potters (but which one) or maybe one publisher has sold enough copies of its bible that its the biggest?
Bloomsbury publishes a lot of fantasy stuff. They’re the ones that publish Harry Potter books, as well as quite a few fairy tale retellings (my favorite type of book ^_^) and HarperCollins publishes a lot of Gail Carson Levine’s fantasy.
Also, there’s always lulu.com to self-publish.
What is a good fantasy book publisher that will get a lot of readers?
I just wrote a book and I need a publisher for it. Its a kids book so please don’t make one they won’t put in like a school library.
First, Lulu knuckled under to Amazon in the first couple days. Their books will still have buy buttons. No advantage there.
Second, publishers offload a WHOLE lot of their marketing on the author. Marketing is NOT one of the things I count on my publisher for. Unless you’re one of the few, the proud, the six-figure advance deals, you’re going to arrange your own reviews, book your own signings, suss out your own interviews and appearances. The publisher isn’t going to do it. You’ll be lucky if they send out review copies and write a press release that doesn’t s*ck.
What DO you get from a publisher?
Distribution: a publisher will very likely have a distributor in place. A distributor is not just a wholesaler (using LSI–not Lulu AND the prime target of Amazon’s ill will–will get you into Ingram’s catalog, but it won’t get your book ordered or stocked). A distributor will actively push your book to stores.
Reputation: Getting a book into any given store is an uphill battle. Getting reviewed is just as hard. Lulu is a negative in reputation points since everyone in the industry knows it’s a vanity publisher–granted, a less abusive one than others, it’s still a vanity. With a real, known, publisher’s name on your book, you get the cachet that goes with knowing that someone with some sense–and some money invested–thought your book would sell.
Professionals: A good publisher will handle copyediting, cover art and design, interior design, PR, marketing, distribution, the whole enchilada. Unless you have all these skills yourself, even if you offload some of them to an author service (read “vanity publisher”) or other indie pros, you still have to learn the industry. Learning the industry takes time, effort and study. It’s a lot of work. The publisher does handle some of that.
In short, a book publisher provides a LOT of value.
However, if you’ve already tried to sell your book all over, queried hundreds of agents and editors, and still failed to sell your book, maybe it’s time to self-publish, use a book packager, or an author service and get on with writing the next book.
Good writing and good luck.
What is the procedure of a book publisher?
Let’s say I got an offer from a publisher (Fingers crossed), what exactly happens with regards to advertising and sales?
I mean, do the publishers advertise and spread the word, or do you have to rely solely on friends and relatives to buy as many copies as they can to give the book some recognition?
I often wondered this….as there has to be some unfortunate people out there with no friends to rely on for such a thing. Cheers.
It depends. First, it depends on how large of a publisher you’re talking about. If it’s a huge one like Random House, they’ll handle all the publicity and you’ll actually be contractually bound NOT to do publicity on your own. A mid-size publisher will do most of it but not have access to major outlets. Small publishers will maybe get out an article or two, with maybe some local TV spots and encourage you to do as much marketing as you can. And it also depends on your particular book. Many books are published with the hopes it’ll do something but not necessarily the expectation that it will. In other words, if they think you’re the next J.K. Rowling, they’ll do everything they can to promote you. But if they’re not sure, they’ll try publicity and see if they can get any momentum. The publishers I’ve known, the general rule is they put 80% of the marketing dollars behind 20% of the books they bring out that year. But, if your book starts to take off, it’ll get bumped up by the publisher and they’ll do more marketing.
Bear:
Try putting Canadian or USA in front of book publishers.
I have written and self published two books. Browse to Publishers & Agents. Many publishers out there. They will tell you how to send your manuscript and also what kind of stories they handle. I sent out many, many and got three answers to the negative. One took three years to answer. This is why I went the self publish route. Be very carefull, there are bad guys out there trying to get as many of your $$ as they can for nothing. Check (Warnings & Cautions for Writers.) Also, my books are listed on the net in Amazon and others and in three years I have sold not one book this way. The only way to sell books is with Book Signings. If you decied to go self publish, contact me and I will help for no charge.
Wayne Russell, The Vagabond Writer
How do I find a Book Publisher that I don’t have to pay to publish?
I have searched all the engines listing “Book Publisher” and all of them are you have to pay to get published. Can someone help me?
How much value does a book publisher provide?
This might seem like a loaded question, but in reality, with today’s ability to publish on demand books with LuLu, and the ability to find designers and copy-editors online, and the ability to easily sell on Amazon, does a professional book publisher really “earn” their part of the commision of the book price?