How to find a publisher

Once a book is written, the desire to see it published often takes over. Although there are many publishing houses, the likelihood of seeing your manuscript transformed into a book sold in the shelves of bookstores is slim. What can you do to put all the chances on your side and succeed in this initially complicated task? Here are some tips on how to find a publisher.

1)     How to find a publisher: know your audience

It is essential to know the genre of your story to know which houses to address. If you want your story to be published, read and appreciated, it is very important to know who to send it to and to do this, you must know the genre of your book and the target (or estimated) audience:  you don’t send a young adult novel to a publisher that only publishes for adults.

2)     Spend money to make money

Surround yourself with the right skills. Hire a professional proofreader to proofread your book, a graphic designer to create your covers, a photographer to take your author portrait, a webmaster to build your website and manage your social networks, an agent to register you for book fairs, book signings and other meetings.

3)     How to find a publisher: be personal

Before sending a manuscript, to avoid an unpleasant return-to-sender, make sure the publisher’s address is correct, if necessary, by phoning them directly. If you can get a recipient’s name, that’s even better. This will personalize your mailing.  But don’t dream too much, this is especially true for small self-publishing companies.  Take advantage of this call to ask if they would like to receive your manuscript by mail or by email, but usually this is indicated on the publisher’s website.

4)     Visit book fairs

It’s been said before, but book fairs are a wonderful place to find publishers. Walk around, get business cards, and then contact them. Don’t hand in your manuscript to the publisher at the fair, there’s too much risk that it will get lost. Oh, and buy a book, it won’t be money wasted!

5) Insist

You will certainly receive rejection letters. This is normal and there are many justifications. Don’t be discouraged. Keep sending your manuscript.

Finding publishers who are willing to accept our manuscripts is not an easy task. However, do not consider this chore as a sprint: it is more of a long-distance race.