Yesterday, we talked about landing a publisher for a self-published book. I explained that it does happen, but only if the author has done his homework. To start with, it has to be a well-written book with a large audience. The author must offer up proof that the book is a viable product—that it has done well in the marketplace. But how do you approach a publisher?
First, you need to research publishers in your genre/topic. Locate publishers through publisher directories such as the Writer’s Market. Here’s an online directory you might check out, as well: http://www.publishersglobal.com. Also research publishers by locating books similar to yours online and/or in bookstores. Who published those books? Contact some of those publishers.
Check each publisher’s submission guidelines. Generally, however, you will send a query letter introducing your project. Tell the publisher when you first produced this book and let him know that you are interested in turning it over to a traditional publisher at this time. Give sales figures and offer to send a copy of the book. Publishers are always interested in sales figures.
If your book is accepted, be prepared to do a rewrite, to have your cover and title changed. A publisher might ask for minimal changes or he may require a major revision.
Do you have a book that you think might do better under the control of a publisher? Have you gone just about as far as you can promoting it alone? If it is a promising book with a wide audience base and if you have done relatively well selling it yourself, perhaps it’s time to start approaching publishers with it.
It’s sometimes a tough decision to make. Your profit per book will diminish considerably. However, in partnership with a publisher, you might sell more books, thus rake in more money. If your profit is $5.00 per self-published book and you’re selling 300 per year, that’s $1,500 per year. Your royalty percentage with a publisher might only compute to $1.50 per book. But if you’re selling 2,000 copies per year, your earnings will be $3,000.
I’d like to hear from those of you who have landed a publisher for a self-published or pay-to-published book. Of if you’ve attempted to find a publisher for a book that was doing well and it didn’t happen—contact me. Let’s see if we can figure out why.
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http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com