"Look at small presses."
- Identify your market.
- Research publishers who specialize in your kind of book.
- It is more difficult than ever to break into orthodox publishing, so look at small presses that print to order and e-book companies here and in the US. These independents can be flexible and may take on new writers.
- Try to get an agent – and make sure that they are interested in you and what you are doing.
- Find out which publishers charge reading fees, which will give you commercial advice and which will not accept unsolicited work.
- Send off a concise synopsis of your novel, two to three chapters (first chapter recommended), a brief covering letter and a short C.V. Present it all in a manner that makes life easy for the recipient.
- When writing a letter to a publishing house, make sure that you address it to a person- get someone’s name from the Writers and Artist’s Yearbook.
- Be patient – it can take up to six months to get a response.
- If your idea is accepted, have an expert look at your contract.
- Negotiation is tricky – it gets easier the more you establish yourself and if your sales increase. A first timer can expect anything between £5000 and £50,000 and royalties are usually seven percent with ten percent for hardbacks. Having a series in mind makes you a safer bet for a publisher.
- Having an agent makes negotiation easier. British are best since it is easier to have continual, direct contact with them. They can arrange for sub editors in the USA if this proves necessary. Again watch their terms. Dismiss any with reading fees and consider 10% commission as usual, increasing up to 20% if translating.
- Never sell your copyright- this means that the publisher owns your work.
- Be wary of clauses that take in account future technologies.
- Once you have been published or have a contract, join the Society of Authors for guidance and support on legal and contractual matters.
