advice on Publisher - Writers Forum

happy123 · 01-24-2006, 06:09 AM

Hi Folks,

just looking for some advice from some of the more experienced of you. After many attempts at writing, I have recently completed a book and sent this off to publishers, expecting the normal rejection

. However this time a publisher has come back to me and said that they enjoyed the sample chapters I sent and requested i send them the full manuscript so as they could read it in its entirety before presenting at a team meeting. Of course im delighted to have got a stage further than normal, but I am just wondering how much of a "positive" this actually is? Does anyone know? I dont want to get over excited if its just another stage but if its a really good sign then I would like to know. Any advice?

Nickie · 01-24-2006, 07:42 AM

This is definitely a good sign! It means your query really interested this publisher, and they want to read more.

But I advise you also to be careful. There are many publishers around who don't have the best interest of the author in mind. They tend to find every query 'interesting' in the hope that you will send on the rest, and then publish with them, often for a fee. Beware of that kind of publisher!

To check if your publisher is legit, go to the site of "Preditors and Editors" (just Google this and you'll find their website). They state which publishers/agents are to be trusted.

Nickie

happy123 · 01-24-2006, 08:19 AM

Thanks nickkie,

I appreciate that advice. it would seem that the publiser is one of the "trusted" ones at any rate so i guess thats a good sign.

Your advice is much appreciated

Mike C · 01-24-2006, 09:39 AM

If the publisher is reputable (do you feel inclined to mention them by name?) it's a good thing, but not a guaranteed thing. Unless they've asked for an exclusive view of it, treat it as fair game and keep submitting it elsewhere. Evn if they bite, they may not make the best offer and you lose nothing by querying others. This is standard practice and won't piss the publisher off.

maggie · 01-24-2006, 01:42 PM

Mike has given you great advice...I don't think there's much more to add to it, except to say good luck!

mammamaia · 01-24-2006, 07:26 PM

ditto above two posts!

heliosweb · 02-22-2006, 01:20 PM

I'm doing some research on POD companies, have read a bit about the potential pitfalls of going the POD route. For those of us who may see this as a viable avenue, does anyone have recommendations as to some good POD services, with a good reputation and customer feedback?

I'm particularly interested in POD services with online tools and resources.

Thanks for any help...

steve

mammamaia · 02-22-2006, 04:29 PM

why would you want to self-publish your book?... that won't be considered 'being published' in the literary world, you know... if all you want is a few copies for friends and family, and can afford the cost, it's ok... but if you want to become a real 'published author' some day, i wouldn't advise this...

if you do that anyway, i strongly advise you to use a nom de plume, so your own name won't be tarred with the vanity-published brush when you want to submit work to paying publishers later on... despite what those who've taken that route may say, it does make a difference!...

even the best pods don't turn out a competitive product quality-wise, and the prices they set on the books are not competitive either, till they're significantly discounted by amazon and b&n... at which point, potential book-buyers will wonder why they're 'giving them away'...

true/fair or not, the generally-accepted view is that self-published works weren't good enough to interest a paying publisher, so it won't help your reputation as a writer, to choose that option...

Mike C · 02-23-2006, 04:32 AM

Maia is, as usual, correct. POD should, in my opinion, only be used if no agent or publisher on earth will touch your manuscript; and if that happens, forget POD and rethink what you write.