Writing can be fun, and nothing compares to the excitement of having a book published and getting royalty checks. Getting a publisher for your book requires a little research and preparation of material to submit to acquisitions editors.
Instructions
1. Search in your local library for books on similar topics as your proposed book. With a pencil and paper, write down the title, copyright date, author and publisher of each book. If given, also write down the publisher's mailing address.
2. Research each of the library's books that are about your subject, and write down how each book is different from yours. Write a quick synopsis of the book. You don't need to read each book in its entirety, but see how the subject is presented.
3. Go to a large bookstore, and again write down the title, author, and so on for any new books on the market that pertain to your subject. Note how your book would be different from these; perhaps your book is more up-to-date, covers the topic more thoroughly, looks at the subject from a different viewpoint or presents it in a more advanced or more tutorial style.
4. Prepare a proposal package to be mailed to the list of publishers whom you have found that publish books on your topic. This package will need to include a cover letter, a short explanation of the book and several points about how your book differs from those already on the market, a sample chapter from the book, a paragraph or two listing your credentials and experiences and a table of contents. It's not necessary to have the book's manuscript finished before beginning the process of approaching publishers, but a proposed table of contents and a representative chapter will help acquisitions editors better evaluate the type of writing and context of the book.
5. Insert these materials, along with a stamped, self-addressed return envelope, into 9-inch by 12-inch catalog envelopes, to prevent having to fold pages. Pages should be typed and double spaced and held together with a paper clip, not stapled.
6. Address the letters and envelopes to the acquisitions editor of each publisher. Mail the packets to as many publishers as you can. The more publishers you approach, the better the chance of finding one that is currently in the market for your material. If you do not have the mailing addresses for the editorial offices of all of the publishers, look them up in reference books for writers at your local library, such as "Writer's Digest." These types of reference books are often published annually and include the contact information for book, magazine and newspaper publishers.
7. Follow up with a phone call to the acquisitions editors after two or three months if you haven't heard back from them, asking if they have received your material. Often, letters will get no response, or publishers will simply respond with a stock rejection letter. But occasionally, publishers will include helpful suggestions as to how your book could be reworked to better fit their line. You can make those changes and resubmit your proposal. Best of all, some will show interest in your project, and will work with you to bring your book to market.
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