Are you trying to land a contract with a traditional publisher? Or do you plan to do so once your book is a book? In the meantime, how much do you know about the publishing industry and what to expect?
Authors Have Unreasonable Expectations
Unfortunately, too many hopeful authors expect to receive at least some sort of feedback, if not a wonderful contract tied up in a pretty red bow, within the first few months (even weeks) of approaching a few publishers. When the publisher doesn’t respond to their query, book proposal or even the complete manuscript within what they consider a reasonable period of time, they get impatient. They either:
• Give up and pursue another avenue of publication.
• Start calling or emailing the publisher.
• Issue complaints about the publisher at their writers’ forums.
• Ask other publishers or their mentors how to get the publisher’s attention.
And these are good ways to ruin your chances of that publishing contract. So what’s an eager author to do?
Authors Need a Reality Check
What many first-time authors don’t understand is that it can take publishers a long time to respond to your proposal or manuscript. This is the norm in the world of publishing.
Authors, please study books and newsletters for authors—publications that help authors to understand the publishing industry and how to navigate within it. Read books such as my “Publish Your Book” for a reality check about the publishing industry. The number one thing most first-time authors need to know is that it isn’t all about the author. It isn’t even about your marvelous book. It’s about the publisher’s bottom line.
It’s also about competition—fierce competition for authors. The author is just one of hundreds of authors being considered by just about any publisher they approach.
What’s an Author to Do?
Authors, who are bent on landing a publishing contract, need to develop a thick skin and a huge measure of patience. Here’s a general scenario for the new author—the steps he or she should take when pursuing publishers:
1: Research publishers and note those that publish books in your book’s category/topic.
2: Study each publishers’ Submission Guidelines (usually posted at their website.) If you have trouble finding the publisher’s submission guidelines, contact me—I can help with that.
3: Follow the submission guidelines when submitting your material—does the publisher want to see a query letter first, a book proposal, only portions of a book proposal or the entire manuscript? Does he want to receive it via email as an attachment, in the body of an email or via regular mail? If you don’t know how to write an intriguing query letter or appropriate book proposal, contact someone who can help you with it.
4: Take note of the typical waiting period as noted on the Submission Guidelines. Some publishers say to wait anywhere from 2 to 4 months for a response to the query letter or book proposal. They may post a waiting time of 8 months or more for a manuscript. Yes, your project can be held up and halted for a very long time. Or not. Some publishers respond almost immediately. But don’t expect a quick turnaround in all situations—in fact, publishers are notoriously slow to respond. Some never respond.
5: Do not call, text or email the publisher asking about your project until a few weeks after the expected waiting period.
What if You Don’t Like the Publisher’s Response?
Let’s talk about what happens when the publisher does respond. You may eventually receive a letter, email or phone call requesting additional information. Or you might get a rejection letter. The one I hate most is the generic one saying, “This is not quite right for us.” Or “This does not fit our list.”
What does that mean? The publisher thought it was right when he requested it based on your representative query letter. He thought it might fit when he took a look at your book proposal, which probably included sample chapters. How is it that, all of a sudden, it isn’t at all what they want or what they typically publish?
Is the Alternative Worth the Cost?
If you want to feel like a non-person, start approaching traditional publishers with your manuscript. No wonder so many authors sign with self-publishing companies—in this environment, they are welcomed with open arms (as long as the pocketbook is also wide open). The acquisitions editor has nothing but praise for your project. (It’s likely he didn’t even take a look at it. He doesn’t care if the book is good or not—if it will sell or not—his money comes from the set-up fee and any add-ons you might sign up for, editing, marketing.) But at least you feel good about yourself and your project while you’re handing over money to these outfits. You can finally—after many months/years writing your book—call yourself a published author—but at what cost?
Publishing is NOT an Extension of Your Writing
Of course, this doesn’t describe all traditional publishers and self-publishing services. But there’s a lot of truth in these scenarios for many. And if you can shift from the creative mode of a writer and start thinking like a businessman/woman, you’ll understand what I’m trying to tell you. Publishing is nothing like writing. Writing is a craft and publishing is a business—a fiercely competitive business, and you must go into it using a business head, not a writer’s heart.
New Publishing/Marketing Newsletter
For more information, perspective and resources related to the publishing industry and book promotion, sign up for my new bi-monthly enewsletter. The next jam-packed issue will come out in October. http://www.patriciafry.com Email me for a copy of issue number one (August edition). plfry620@yahoo.com