Publishing Writers
Book Publishing – How I Got Into Book Publishing
By Deanna Mascle
As a published author and creative writing teacher I often get asked how writers can get published. One of the simplest ways to answer that question is tell the story of my publishing contracts with two different publishers.
Like many other writers, I have always wanted to write a book and started scribbling stories as a child. I have also always been an avid reader. When I started my first book I did not know what I was doing. It was a learning experience and I was not sure I could even write an entire book, but at last I did have a completed manuscript. I then began my search for a publisher.
As I knew no other authors or writers I started with the only place I knew. The Writers Market book. I came up with a list of publishers and started sending out queries. I had some interest from some of the big houses but as time went on I collected a pretty impressive list of rejections. I worked my way through all the major publishing houses and then started on the smaller houses. Then came the exciting day when I got the call that a small house was willing to publish my novel.
Now in hindsight I’m not so sure I should have leaped at the offer. Small publishing houses can offer opportunities that the bigger houses cannot. They are often more willing to take a risk on an unknown author or a manuscript that does not fit cleanly into a niche. But they are riskier ventures. Many small publishing houses do not have a long life span. My first publisher did print my first book and contracted with me for my second but went out of business before the second book even came out. Smaller publishers also have lower distribution. It was up to me to arrange distribution in my regional book stores as well as arrange my own book signings and promotion. However the biggest drawback for me was the lack of editorial support and guidance. Remember, this was my first book and I wasn’t even working with a critique group. I could have used more editing than I received from that publisher. While getting my first book published was a confidence booster and an education, it was not a financial boon. I received only one royalty check before the publisher went under.
After that experience, I then became even more determined to learn about publishing. I sought out writing groups, attended writers conferences, and joined a critique group. As I gained more confidence in my writing I started entering writing contests and placed in the top three in several writing competitions. One of my first place prizes included being read by a senior editor at Kensington. The editor liked my manuscript and offered me a two-book contract.
This experience was dramatically different from my first. A major publishing house meant a standard contract, a standard advance, and regular royalty payments as well as good distribution. However I also lost a great deal of control over my book. Both covers are bodice rippers and the title of the first book was chosen by the marketing department and I was not even given the right to approve it. Even worse for my writing career though was the fact that the editor who bought me quickly passed me off to another editor and then when that editor left I was handed to yet a third editor. As an orphaned author my second book received little support and I was not offered a new contract.
I would be lax if I did not mention agents during this article. Many unpublished authors ask if agents are important. Obviously as my story points out you can get published without an agent. In fact, I might have gotten published sooner the second time around if I wasn’t working with an agent who did not take advantage of some of my previous contest wins. The problem is that the type of agent who is willing to take on an unproven author is not likely to do you much good. If you can make a contact with an agent through a conference or contest or the like then definitely do so but I would not recommend spending a lot of time trying to get an agent before you are published. After I had my contract with Kensington I did work with a higher quality agent for a time but nothing came of that experience although the fault probably lies with me as well as with the agent.
I wish you luck in your pursuit of book publishing and hope me story is informative and helpful.
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How has the current economic crisis affected new aspiring writers and the publishing industry?
To sum it up, how has the economy effected the publishing industry? Are they not accepting as many new writers now due to the slowdown?
I’m only afraid that this collapse is going to get worse, btw, the media is now admitting this not to be a recession but a full fledged depression. So in that case no writing for me and just prepare for the full fledge collapse.
The effect of this seemingly never-ending recession has been bad bad bad bad…well, you get the idea. The publishing industry is reeling, from what I can get from reading Publisher’s Weekly, sort of a bible of the industry. Bookstores across the country are closing, mainstream publishers are facing financial collapse, and new writer…well, this is not a good time to be a new writer. With people losing their jobs and homes, how many of them are going to buy books? Right. So, publishers are desperate for titles that will bring in enough $$$ to keep them going. But the chances of them taking on a new, unproven author in the present circumstances — well, if you were one of those desperate publishers, would you? Yeah, me either. I run a small press, and some of my best writers have been out of their day job for so long they are too depressed to write. So sad. My press is so small, nobody is getting a living out of it, so we’re not on the brink of ruin, but the bigger ones are in sad shape. I’ve advised some of my writers to just put their novel in the drawer until this @#$%$ recession eases, because their chances with houses bigger than mine are not even as good as “slim to none.”
Sigh.
Where are the good,reputable publishing companies for new writers at?
Looking for a good, not a rip off, reputable long standing publishing company for new writers of all genres. Prefer in the states.Please be detailed in your answers, with adequate information with weblinks,physical addresses or phone numbers. All companies must be real, with a physical address, nothing with bad reviews. Not interested in authorhouse, or expensive publishing companies. Please no spam. All serious replies please.
Not sure if you’re looking for a self-publisher like http://www.lulu.com where you pay to have your books printed. Or if you’re looking for a publisher to accept your book and pay you. In which case, you should buy a copy of Writer’s Market and research which publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts of your genre.
Self Publishing is tricky. There are many scams out there and people have been burned.
Then there’s your book. If you can’t find buyers, what are YOU going to do with them?
Plus, self-publishers have to do ALL their own leg work and sometimes bookstores are reluctant to carry them.
Still if you are willing to work REALLY hard and have others help you, self publishing can be the way to go.
You need to target your market and focus on people interested in this style of writing. It seems to be a new style and concept when focusing on life on the streets. Sure many have been there but how many have written it from a fictional point of view?
I am a writer and I can tell you that we are fussy people. You need to show how submitting their work can benefit THEM and their portfolios, not just your mother’s company. Find this and find your target market and you will find your writers.
Why do some writers see traditional publishing as the only way to go these days?
Is it a lack of credibility, insecurity, or just ego–which drives some writers to believe that the only way we can be taken seriously enough with their writing–we all have to traditionally publish our works?
Okay. Some of you are COMPLETELY missing the point of the question. I wasn’t *asking* about self-publishing or if my books were up to par, I am simply trying to understand the base mentality of some of these writers.
Stop taking things so seriously!
How can I recruit more writers for my publishing company?
My mom and I started a publishing company for Urban Lit. And we are having trouble recruiting writers. I am 16 and I just started writing my first novel. How can I influence others or people to come and join or movement?
normitapublishing.com <
Are there any published writers that I can chat with about the process of publishing a first time novel?
I have written and rewritten my first novel and I would really like to talk to someone who has been published. My email address is starbrazer101@yahoo.com. Thank you…
I’m about 5 years away myself. But the process is time-consuming and a burn out sometimes.
I am managing just fine on my own though.
But if you’re looking for any “edge” in the publishing world, you won’t find it.
Publishing a first-time author is just as difficult, if not tedious. And not many of the big gun publishers will take you without agent representation. (80%)
But if you would like to chat with me, my e-mail is: starchildalphal@yahoo.com
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