Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Small Publishers: 3 Steps to Finding the Perfect One For You


Last week WiDo Publishing's managing editor, Karen Gowen, busted some myths for us about small publishers. Check out the helpful interview here.

For many authors, small publishers are the perfect option. Perhaps an author doesn't want to work with a literary agent (not always necessary with a small pub), or pursue one of the Big 5. Maybe they don't want to go indie, or they want to be a hybrid author. If writers are looking for a publishing partner with a personal touch, small publishers can be a great way to pursue a traditional path.

But many authors haven't considered this option, or don't even know where to start. I haven't personally published with a small press, but my friends who've gone with small publishers have enjoyed their experiences. I've considered it and done a lot of research.

So how do you know which small publishers to pursue, and how do you know they'll be with you for the long haul? Hopefully this guide will help you.

1) Find out who they are.

  • If you write for children or teens, I highly recommend subscribing to Children's Writer Newsletter. It's $15 per year but worth every penny. Each issue has excellent articles about the writing craft. It lists publisher's names--the biggies and the small--along with editor names. There are SO many reputable publishers out there that many authors haven't heard of. Plus, they list publishers that might cater to niche markets. Niche markets might be a perfect place for your book.
  • Visit Agent Query for their long list of small presses.
  • Find the publisher's name of the books you're reading. It's possible it's a small publisher. 
  • Since you're reading this blog, it's likely you're a blogger. Many of our author friends, like Anne R. Allen and Alex J. Cavanaugh, have worked well with small presses. Start keeping a list of publishers you've heard about in the blogging community, especially those that match the genre you write in.
  • Google it. Run a search such as small presses for YA books, etc. See what pops up. Add more names to your list.
2) Research, research, research.
  • Visit their web site. Are they still in business? If so, how long have they been in business? Does the site look professional? Does it seem as if your manuscript would fit well with their list? Are their covers eye-catching?
  • Check them out on Preditors and Editors. Most presses are listed there, along with comments such as vanity press, recommended, not recommended, etc.
  • Search for the publisher's name in the Absolute Write forums. What are other authors saying about them? If there's negative chatter, make sure it's legit and not just bitterness being splashed on the web.
  • Contact the small publisher's authors. Most sites will list the books they've published. Google the author's name and send them a message via their contact page. Ask about their overall experience with the publisher. Was the publisher fair? Was the author allowed any creative input? Did the small press pay royalties when promised?
3) Submit.
  • Check each publisher's web site for their submission guidelines.
  • Follow those guidelines exactly.
  • Keep a log of your submissions. My submissions tracking sheets listed the date of submission, the publishing company, the editor's name, what I sent them (according to their guidelines), and a spot for results.
Once you've found the perfect small press, researched the heck out of them, and submitted your work, the best advice is to...you guessed it, write the next book!

Friends, have you submitted to small presses? Published with one? Any advice you'd like to add? Please share!

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for the mention!
    That's a great check list. There are a lot of small publishers out there when you start looking. And I have had an author contact me about my publisher before. So that's a smart thing to do.

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    1. Alex, I've contacted authors from small presses as well. In some cases the news was good. Others not so good. It's an important step in the research process.

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  2. Great suggestions, Julie. if I ever decide to go with a small press, I'm going to refer back to this post.

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    1. Natalie...it's amazing how many small presses are out there. I honestly had no idea. And you write YA, right? Lots and lots of them that might work well for you :)

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  3. Thanks, Julie. I'm subscribing to Children's Writers Newsletter today. When we lived in Kenya, I wrote a children's story about my cat that I'd like to do something with.

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    1. Kittie, wow you lived in Kenya? That's so cool. I swear, Children's Writer is such a great investment. Plus it's a tax write off :) They'll write an article about a topic and interview agents and editors. Then they'll list the information about those agents and editors. I have a feeling you'll find a treasure trove of small presses that might work for you and your story. Good luck!

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  4. There truly are numerous ways to guide our work to the light of publishing. Each writer has a path. Recently I've discovered that it's much easier if we accept our individual paths instead of comparing ours to others. :) (Sorry I haven't responded to your email yet. Getting on that now.)

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    1. Sheri, it's so true. Our path is our own for a reason. Some authors have been burned by small presses, and others have had wild success (like Alex). As Karen mentioned in her interview last week, if we work with small presses, it's important to make sure the contract states the rights will be reverted to the author if the press goes out of business. Then the author can indie publish the book or re-submit to other publishers.

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  5. My book is coming out with Pelican Book group, a small publisher. I feel it's a good step, it gets my work out there and they have been very helpful. What I do like about them is they distribute through Ingram where many bookstores purchase their books. That was important to me.

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    1. Terri, that's wonderful! Plus this gave you the experience of working with a publisher, meeting deadlines, and holding your baby in your arms. Nothing better!

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  6. I work with three different small presses and they're all really different but I love working with them. I highly recommend small presses to anyone trying to break in.

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    1. Susan, I love that you're not only working with one publisher, you're working with three! Just goes to show us that one press is not for all.

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  7. I think small press would be an awesome step!!

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    1. Traci, I agree. And if writers do their research, they'll likely have a wonderful experience.

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  8. Good tips! There's nothing in the world that replaces research! :)

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    1. Jemi, so true! I think that's where some of the "issues" with small publishers have popped up. No path is perfect, but if we do enough research, we can find the path that's right for us.

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  9. As a teacher and grad student, I second that research is the key. I have gone the self-publish route myself. May your Christmas be healing and special! I miss you at my blog! :-)

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    1. Roland! It's so nice to hear from you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday :)

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  10. I spend a lot of time researching, so you're list is perfect, Julie.

    I like small presses so far. I'm too impatient to slog through the big press system. I could be dead a long time before they read my manuscript and it would be my luck to have them accept something after I'm deep sixed.

    Here's to more pleasant thoughts. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.

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  11. I think you could write a post on any topic and it should show up first in all google searches. You're that amazing, Julie. I hope your holidays are wonderful. You're such a beautiful person and I'm so lucky to know you. <3

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