|
|
|
Publishing Q & A
Q.
I’ve written a book manuscript, but I’m not a
“real writer.” Can you help me get my book
published?
A.
I—or any number of other qualified editors—can help
you improve your chances of getting
published, but no editor or agent can guarantee your
manuscript will get published (unless you choose to
pay a “subsidy” publisher—see below).
Here’s the harsh truth about the publishing
industry (Christian as well as secular): Most
manuscript do not get published, so think carefully
before you pay me or any editor to edit your book.
I suggest you read
What Are Your Chances of Getting
Published?
by Laura
Backes
“The end result is that 1-2
percent of unsolicited submissions are actually
purchased for publication.”
Q.
Should I give up hope of getting my book
published?
A.
That depends on your determination—and the amount of
effort and money you are willing to spend. A
trained, experienced freelance editor probably will
charge you in the neighborhood of $30 to $50 per
hour to get your manuscript “publisher ready.” Then,
as mentioned above, unless you have major name
recognition, your chances of getting published
through a standard publisher are very slim. If you
do choose to try getting published through a
well-known publisher, then consider the following:
-
· Most
major publishers no longer accept unsolicited
manuscripts. In other words, “Don’t call us;
we’ll call you (if we’re interested—and if we
don’t know your name, then we’re not
interested).”
-
· Some
major publishers will accept unsolicited
manuscripts if they’re submitted through a
well-known literary agent (who likely will want
at least 15 percent of your royalties, if you
get published).
· Smaller
specialty publishers might be a good route to
consider. However they, too, will want a carefully
polished manuscript (sorry, no shortcuts). In
addition, many of these publishers do not want
simultaneous submissions. In other words, you submit
to one publisher at a time, and wait up to three
months (or even longer) to hear back. So this
process can take a lloonngg time.
· “Subsidy”
publishing (formerly referred to as “vanity”
publishing), can be a good choice, if you have the
money, and if you have a good marketing venue (for
example, if you do a lot of public speaking). A
subsidy publisher will charge you a fixed amount to
print your books (some include other services, such
as proofreading and marketing). But, once the books
are printed and delivered to you, they are yours
—and whatever you sell them for is yours.
To learn more about the Christian publishing
market, see
Sally Stuart’s
Christian Writers’ Market Guide.
Jerry
 |
