Publishers

Tiny Nell

I haven't submitted anything to a traditional publisher for some time, and now I've gone down the CreateSpace route I'm left wondering if there IS any purpose to approaching a publisher.
What more could they do that I haven't? They don't even promote for authors nowadays.

One of the things I was never entirely convinced about was going to a small publisher - just because I didn't know how much time and effort they would afford my book, whether their business was strong enough to compete with the larger houses and whether or not they would fold.
Those I tried were the big names and, though a little interested, they were not interested enough to take a manuscript through to full publication.

Can anyone confirm whether there is anything to be gained by getting accepted by a lesser-known publisher, or even a U.S. one? I'm wondering if I've been missing a trick all this time.

Phots Moll

If your publisher produces a print run, rather thn using POD then there's a chace of your books getting into book shops.

toothlight

Do not forget that the author of Life of Pi could not get one of the major publishers to take him on, but a small publisher in Scotland, Cannongate did!
AS you know that book won major awards and made Cannongate a lot of money, so the big boys do get it wrong. So my answer is: try the smaller publishers.

datco2014

I recently landed a deal with a small publisher after I self-published my first book due to a lack of interest from the big boys, (the medium and small boys weren't interested either actually) but I didn't give up - self-publishing is great BUT you won't get to see your book in Waterstones or in a pile of 'holiday reads' as you pass through the airport. You can't enter a lot of the book competitions without a publisher backing you and generally the care/art work and editing help you get from a publisher is second to none. Yes you still have to do a lot of your own publicity - but why not??

The above comment about Canongate is spot on - that's what the little publishers are looking for the one that slipped through the cracks - what you will get is individual attention - I regularly talk (Well 4 times anyway) to the Managing Director would that happen with Harpeer Collins? I think not.

Good luck with it - whatever you do.

(for a self-published phenomemon see RR Haywood - yeah I know it's zombies but he shifts thousands of books and gets to write for a living BUT he's still trying for proper representation!!)

Tiny Nell

OK, I think I'm convinced.

It's time to start rolling out all those submissions again. I wish I had a secretary...

By the way, hello, datco. Have you officially introduced yourself? Not everyone will know you've arrived here at TB Central. Why not start a new thread...

datco2014

Thanks Tiny Nell, I will do

Liz

The thing is - at the minute you are writing to please yourself. You'd be amazed at how to 'up your game' when you are writing for a specific person who you KNOW is going to read, especially if you have a relationship.

Soon as I am writing in competition with other poets I know I try so much harder, and longer, and don't just settle for 'i've written a poem I rather pleased with'. I look at it again and make it better again. And again.

And then you look back at what you were writing and it dawns on you how little you knew.

In fact - we read a poem (actually saw a film of him performing it) by the poet who was very ill, and in fact died while we were at the retreat on Monday. It is on this precise subject.

Without that focusing it is difficult to produce your best work.

Tiny Nell

Oh, he died. How sad.

Yes, every time I edit, I see something that can be improved, though I have always tried to give my best, no matter who the audience. I don't think I'd try any harder for a publisher than a reader.

Liz

But you don't know how much better you can be - you can't without specialist help.

Tiny Nell

Oh, yes, I agree with that, Liz. My earlier point was that my attitude to perfection wasn't any less serious just because a professional wasn't involved.

casey

I think there's for and against traditional publishing. With self-publishing you have total control and though you might not generate the world wide sales at least your book is out there.
Traditional publishing is hard to break into and can take up a lot of your time with no result.
By all means submit, but it takes a lot of luck and determination to go that route, plus a rhino hide when when it comes to rejections.

trishhaill

I've been lucky enough to get a publisher interested (advance and royalty basis) with my first non fiction book. I got the positive response only 12 days after I started sending out my proposal. So quick I was suspicious of it, but the SOA think the contract's a good one. I've probably got a lot to learn, and this may not make me a millionaire, but having the contract has certainly made me sharpen up my writing! I really don't know what to expect though, in terms of how it will be published and marketed.

ana s

I self-pubbed and kept putting off the promotional side. Now I'm republishing with a small press I'm energised by their faith in me. Also the children's market still leans towards print, so getting my books into shops is a big factor. I'll let you know the ups and downs of it.

You are a very good children's writer, TN. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you were picked up by a small or medium press. I'd go for it.

Tiny Nell

Thanks so much, ana. I shall have to scour the CW & A Yearbook. It's on my list of Things To Do and I'll turn my attention to it as soon as I've cleared a space in my brain.

Lou Treleaven

My list of UK children's publishers who accept unagented ms might be helpful.

http://loutreleaven.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/childrens-publishers-accepting-unsolicited-manuscripts/

Nefertari

TN are you going to write something new to send then?

Tiny Nell

No, Nefertari. I'll probably send something already written.