Book publishers are a strange and secretive breed. As a writer looking to get published it is your job to try and work out just what book publishers are looking for when taking on new books. The good news is that book publishers are also simple folk and this guide will help you understand the workings of their minds.
The first thing book publishers want your book to be:
Well Written – Books get rejected by book publishers for many reasons but the most common is simply that they are not well written enough. It is true that a book publisher will work with a writer to improve their book but the text has to be of the highest standard at the start. If a book publisher thinks a book needs too much work it will be rejected.
The second thing book publishers want your book to be:
Appropriate – I am not talking about appropriate language here, instead that your book needs to be appropriate to the book publisher’s business model. Book publishers and their imprints all have a different focus. Angry Robot publishes ‘the best in brand new genre fiction’, whilst Northern Eye Books publish ‘walking, scrambling and outdoors books for Wales and Northwest England.’ Clearly pitching a SF novel to Northern Eye books is a waste of time. This is a clear example but sometimes a book publisher’s specialist interest is not so easy to spot. Book publishers are ONLY interested in books that fit their publishing mandate. It is your job as a writer to find the book publisher that fits your book.
The third thing book publishers want your book to be:
Commercial - Here I am not talking best seller, but I am saying your book needs to have a large enough market to cover the expense needed to get the book on the book shelves. Book publishers will have different expectations for the number of books they expect a title to sell and will fit their budget around these estimates. Book publishers will only take on books they think will sell enough books to at least break even.
The fourth thing book publishers want your book to be:
Differently different – Book publishers are looking for books that are different enough from their current list to be interesting to readers, book sellers, marketing departments and sales teams. The trick is to pitch your book so it falls firmly within an established genre, yet is differently different enough to generate a buzz. Not easy…
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You could do that, but at what price? BE YOU! WRITE THE BOOK YOU WANT! WRITE FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU! Then publish it yourself. This is the model I have successfully followed.
I think as long as you are realistic and understand that your book may never have an audience, writing what you want is fine. Unfortunately a lot of wannabe writers write the book they want to write and then expect commercial publishers to fall over themselves to get hold of it. Commercial publishing–and thus being read by people who are not family members–is all about compromise; usually, it has to be said, on the part of the writer.
What Chris said, with bells on.
And as an addendum to Mr DNA – surely you can write what you want and still find a publisher to suit. The breadth of stories available and the variety of imprints and sub-genres says to me that there will be a match for everyone.
If you’re writing for a limited audience, certainly consider self-publishing. But also be aware that you can BE yourself, write what you want and find a niche in the bookstore.
Also, thank you Gary for a well thought out post.
Cheers to Indie Publishing: The way of the future!
- Jeff Emmerson
Self publishing is certainly an option for any writer. However, I wanted this article to try and dispel some of the myths that surround the publishing world. Many writers dream of being picked up by a publishing house.
Thanks Chris – wise words.
It comes from bitter experience and many years of pitching and talking to publishers. Just hoping I can stop writers making some ‘silly’ mistakes.
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