Regardless of how ground
breaking your novel may be - there is more to what a publisher considers than
just your manuscript. You may be the next J.K. Rowling, but if you're missing
one of these items on the checklist, it's likely that you won't get picked up
for traditional publishing. While writing is an art, publishing is a business and
has to be treated as such. For a publisher, entering into a contract with an
author is no different than signing a deal with a fortune 500 company - it has
to be profitable or everyone involved loses.
So what exactly do
publishers consider before signing a contract with an author?
- The Book - obviously, the book is
a large contribution to the publisher's consideration. While it is not the
only decision maker, the publisher will not bother looking at any of the
other items on the checklist if the manuscript is no good. Competition
(other books within the genre) and Market (is there a great enough
interest to support this book?) are also items that the publisher will
research before deciding on your manuscript.
- The Author - If you don't hook a
publisher with your pre-promotion of your manuscript, you won't be able to
hook readers. A publisher will want to see that you can put as much
promotion into your book as they will. You are an investment, and they
will want to see a guaranteed return on that investment. When considering
an author, a publisher will look at several factors: your credentials,
enthusiasm, and social media platform. You need to start promoting long
before you start submitting - to a publisher, a combined social media
following of 3,000 people is a pool of built-in readers. If only 30% of
those followers purchase your book, it's a great start right out of the
gate.
- The Promotion - A publisher will
want to hear all about your promotion plans for the book. You'll want to
explain a concrete plan to use your pre-established platform to help sell
your work. Be creative and extensive - the more in-depth, unique, and long
term your plan is, the more likely the publisher is to be interested. Do
not just focus on the first month after release - think beyond... 3
months, 12 months, two years...
- Follow-Ups - Are you a one trick
pony or do you have more up your sleeve? Signing an author is an
investment, so a publisher wants to see that you can produce more than one
work. Whether it is a sequel or just more in that genre, a publisher will
want to see a brand in you.
Publishing
is a business, just like any other, and for that business to be successful, it
depends on the validity of the partner. Publishers want to find authors who are
great business people. Your work is your product, so learn to push, sell, and
promote it and yourself. These are the first steps you can take in securing
your first publishing contract.
Elisha Neubauer
European Geeks Publishing & Eleventh Hour Literary Press
European Geeks Publishing & Eleventh Hour Literary Press
