The Publishing Process

The following information is what I send to people who ask me about getting published and how the publishing process works.

How to Get Published

Publishing fiction is done in a different way to non-fiction generally. With non-fiction, it is done via a proposal to a publishing company outlining the proposed project and potential market, along with the writer’s expertise. It is important to research the publisher before sending a proposal, to make sure that they are a match for the type of book you are proposing.

There is no need for an agent when approaching companies about a non-fiction project. Most publishers simply require a query or precis.

When it comes to fiction, the first thing you need to do is write 90-100% of the book. Then, I would recommend getting an assessment of the manuscript from a professional (see http://www.authors.org.nz for a list of assessors.) There is a fee for this. Assessors can look at marketability and general writing and also make suggestions or critique the work.

Know your market

Before you write something, if your goal is to be published, you should research the market for similar types of books. For example, the market might be full of books looking at global warming but you might have a unique angle on the topic. Keep up with current affairs and news.

It is best to make sure there is a market for it before you undertake a project, to avoid disappointment, especially if the market is already saturated e.g. young girls series involving horses, princesses etc., unless you have a fresh and relevant take on these topics, which could put you ahead of your game, as the same topics are often perennial and popular for a reason.  Maybe also researching what kids today are into would be a good idea, to remain relevant.  When writing the manuscript, it is important to keep the target audience in mind, so that it can be honed to fit this.

Who are you?

As a writer, credibility and expertise are vital. You will need to create a writer’s platform, like a C.V., which outlines your relevant experience and background, any prizes won, poems or stories published etc. This is what you will use to approach an agent or to support a query and give it weight. The agent will work on pitching your manuscript to various publishers.

Sometimes publishers will put out lists of project briefs for writers to submit to, which don’t require an agent e.g. a series for reluctant readers. You would need to contact the various publishers to find this out.

Agents will generally need to see your background and read a completed or near complete manuscript before they take you on and would want you to know what market you are pitching your work to. Then, they can work at selling it to the publishers, either here or overseas.

Some agents require you to have a previous publishing track record before they will take you on. Often, agents take on only one or two clients in any given period, so it is highly competitive.

Self-Publishing

Alternatively, there is the self-publishing route, which requires you to outlay for all printing and publishing costs, and to manage all publicity, distribution and marketing of the book.

Try http://www.publishme.co.nz/publishme/index.php.

Generally, this route requires knowledge of design, publication and all of the other facets of being a publisher, as you take on the role of the publishing company. With this option, you get to keep all the profits.

Self-publishing is a good option if you want to have full control over every aspect of the process. Most publishing companies have an in-house designer and they choose their illustrators from a pool. The writer’s illustrations are not generally used. If you do your own, I would recommend self-publishing, unless you have a relationship with a publisher .

Payments

Fiction authors are sometimes paid an advance cheque, which is written out of future royalties from the sale of the book. Royalties for all books for writers are usually in the domain of 5-15% depending on the project.

When any manuscript is taken on, there will always be a legal contract. You can find information about these on the previously mentioned NZSA website, including a sample contract. Contracts state how the publisher will sell the book and how much royalty the writer will receive. (This is usually a standard figure that all their writer’s receive). Payments are usually distributed to the author every 3/6 months with a breakdown of sales.

Rights to the book can be bought from the publisher after the contract expires, meaning they can be re-sold to another publisher and reprinted.

In summary, I think one of the best things you can do is to know your market inside out. Then, work on your writer’s platform.

Phew!

Any questions, let me know. I will be more than happy to help.