A finished manuscript is only the beginning of the often long and stressful process of having your work published. Once you complete your manuscript, you must then find a publisher who believes in you enough to invest the time and money into putting your work into publication. Getting a publisher to consider your work is a significant part of the publishing process and one that many authors find very challenging. Because publishers get inquiries from many authors looking to be published, you must find a way for your work to stand out against the rest. A good introduction to your work can help you show potential publishers why your work is worth consideration.
Do your research first
Choosing the right publisher is key to getting your manuscript published. Many publishers only deal in certain genres or may only publish already established authors. While it’s likely you’ll have to submit to multiple publishers before finding the right fit, it’s important to research publishers before submitting your manuscript so you don’t waste your time. Be sure to read a publisher’s requirements before submitting your work so you can meet those criteria; otherwise, they’re unlikely to consider your work for publication.
Write your query letter
A query letter introduces your work and yourself to potential publishers. A good query letter should be informative but brief. Publishers may receive many introductory letters from authors, so you must find a way to make your letter stand out. Your letter can include information about your past writing experience, an introduction to and/or a summary of your work, and reasons why you wish to work with that particular publisher. Be sure to understand in what format each publisher wishes to receive submissions so you can follow those requirements.
Finding the right publisher begins with research. Once you find publishers who work in your genre, you must first understand how they deal with new submissions before sending in your work for review. Craft an engaging query letter that shows what you offer and why you wish to work with that publisher. This introduction is the first step in finding a publisher who wishes to make your dream of publication to reality.
