Finding the perfect publisher.

Trying to find a publisher for your work, that meets your needs, can be a full time job in it self. Every publisher has its own set of criteria for submitting a manuscript and many will not accept unsolicited works. So it is important to review any potential publisher's requirements before you send anything out. This also leaves you with two choices. One, find an agent to represent you or two, try to find a publisher that will accept unsolicited manuscripts. Neither choice is easy. I have found that my best resource throughout this process has been Google. There are many, many publishers out there to pick from and that is the beauty of a free market, but it also can make things very confusing.

After you find a publisher that you think will be a good fit for your book it is important to check them out further. Again, Google is a great resource for this. When you type in the name of any publisher it will spit back all sorts of information such as other authors reviews on how it is to work with that publisher and business practices that that publisher may engage in. Author be wear is also a good site to check out information on potential publishers. Get all the information you can and if you still make a mistake just remember, as I said, it is a free market and you can always switch publishers for your next book if you have not signed a multi book deal, but that is highly unlikely if this is your first book.

I cannot stress enough how Important it is to research and get all the information you can before signing any contract. It would also be a good idea to have a third party review any contract you are offered before signing it. I know that if a publisher offers to produce your book that feeling of excitement and elation can override your business sense, but stop, take a breath and reground yourself. Most important be smart, take off your artist’s hat and get fitted for a business one. 

Never stop learning and good luck.