Finding a Publisher

How do you find a publisher for your book or an agent to represent you? Look through Writer's Market, published annually by Writer’s Digest Books. They offer several specific guides depending on whether you write nonfiction, novels, children's stories, or poetry. If you're searching for an agent, look through Writer's Market Guide to Literary Agents. Another good reference book is Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents.

They all include helpful articles on getting your book published and discuss issues important to writers. Each contain a comprehensive
list of publishers and the type of books they publish, the acquiring editor’s name, the address, phone number, email, website, and submission information. The listing may include the number of books they publish per year, a few current titles, the average advance and percentage of royalties, tips on what they’re looking for, and whether they accept submissions from una­gented writers.

Go through these reference guides and make a list of the publishers you think are perfect for your book that you’d like to submit your proposal to. After you’ve done this, visit their website to look through the titles they’ve published. Read through the online catalog carefully to be certain your book is appropriate for them. This gives you clearer information on whether they’re the right publisher for your book. Be sure to read and follow their author submission guidelines.

When you’ve found publishers and/or agents who you think would be perfect for your book, write a query letter and book proposal, and send it off with a hope and a prayer, on wings on optimism.

These reference books are available at your local library and bookstore. If you'd prefer to buy them online, click the links. Also check out the Writer's Bookstore on the sidebar, which offers these books and many others on writing book proposals and promoting your book.