How to Find the Best Publisher For Your Book or Novel

You're ready to publish your first book. You want to find the best publisher. You can find hundreds of publishers -- big and small. The possibilities seem endless, so choose your book publisher carefully.

The advantages and disadvantages of choosing a publisher make the process complicated and confusing. Selling your book to a publisher usually means they do most of the grunt work to ensure your book's success. Publishers have industry contacts as well as the finances to produce and market your book. You can also look forward to a larger advance with a publisher.

Disadvantages also abound. Big publishers won't take on a new author unless you already have a book published. Publishers also share in the royalties and advances. This adds to additional expenses on your part.

To find the best publisher, market your book to major publishers that have a proven track record with your type of book. This will require legwork on your part, but this method is fulfilling. Although not all publishers will consider un-agented work, you can still find many publishers who accept unsolicited proposals and book manuscripts.

If you have money to self-publish, then self-publish. Self-publishing also has pros and cons. The pros include: full control over your manuscript; publishers or editors will not request revisions; and you keep all royalties.. You can earn some money in the long run -- if you know how to market your book. The cons include: lack of guidance from editors and publishers; you are responsible to market your book; and upfront fees may be large to produce and distribute your book. The worst case is reviewers and bookstores won't take you or your self-published book seriously.

Online publishers provide you with different formats in which to publish your book, such as paperback, hard cover, pocket size, or digital. Online publishers charge equivalent fees based on page quantity, sizes or paper stock. Many online publishers offer publishing services, such as layout, graphic design and editing.

If you are serious about publishing your book, then do a lot of research to make the best choice. Many publishers are looking for new and fresh materials. This can be your passport to your writing career.

OTHER WAYS TO PUBLISH YOUR BOOK

Every writer dreams to publish his or her own book. Traditionally, to get your work into print you had to submit your manuscript to dozens of publishers or literary agents. Then you had to wait...and wait...and wait to get a response. This response was either an acceptance or -- usually -- a rejection. Antagonizing, isn't it?

Today's publishing trends have vastly changed in the last ten years in favor of helping aspiring authors self-publish their books with little or no cost. Book authors have more options, thanks to the Internet, and such online publishing services offered by Lulu.com and CreateSpace.com. Online services and new printing technology empowers authors to publish and market their own books, even if the financial return is nominal. Let's learn about different alternatives to publish your own book.

THE INDIE MOVEMENT

If you are unable to sign with a well-known publisher to print your book, do not give up. Many authors successfully publish their books without the help of an agent or a famous New York publisher. Many trade paperback publishers are willing to gamble on new and unknown writers. Trade paperback publishers have smaller print demands than mainstream publishers.

A growing trend for trade paperback publishers is using new technology and printing techniques called Print on Demand. This new technology allows an author to place a small print order or publish just a single copy without any high costs. There is no longer a need for a huge press run. Print on Demand is a growing market for books and independent products, and this just may be your ticket to get your book published.

THE EBOOK REVOLUTION

Electronic publishing is a viable alternative to publish your book. Since the Internet is a vast world to distribute information without boundaries and with little cost, small and large electronic publishers are interested in a huge variety of genre -- from self-help books, to romance, mystery, science fiction and fantasy.

Signing up with an e-book publisher is practical and a fast way to market your work as an e-book. A growing trend of people enjoy buying e-books online and reading them on laptops, computers, handheld readers, cell phones and other electronic devices.

SELF-PUBLISHING

New technologies have paved the way to make self-publishing a viable option to publish your book. Self-publishing no longer costs you six to seven thousand dollars; you can now self-publish at a fraction of the cost.

Printers using new technology can publish a book for a few hundred dollars, sometimes less. Plus, you can contact and pay a printer to produce your book for a certain fee. After this, you can use your own network of people and marketing skills to sell your book.

Self-publishing gives you total control -- you call all the shots. You do not have to wait for a literary agent or an editor to discover you; instead, you can take things into your own hands by investing your own money. If your book becomes a hit, then you can enjoy the returns and rights for yourself.

Like any business venture, self-publishing may have more potential for upside, but it may also have a greater chance for failure since you are responsible for marketing and selling your book. Make sure you are diligent during the distribution process; and market your book aggressively to generate steady sales.

Publishing trends have changed rapidly in the past few years. Today's book authors are empowered with new alternatives to publish their books. They make their own decisions and retain all creative rights.

Gone are the days you waited 4-8 weeks to hear back from a major publisher about your book proposal or manuscript. Self-publishing banishes the annoying rejection slip. You have better alternatives to publish your book your way.