Have you ever published a book? If not, have you ever thought about it? If so, you may be wondering what the next steps are. To get your book published, you need to find a publisher.
But how do you know which publisher is right for you when there are so many options? Here are a few questions you can ask a potential publisher to help you decide.
68 Questions you can ask a publisher:
- What type of books do you publish?
- What is your submission process?
- What are your guidelines for submissions?
- What is the process for submitting a book proposal?
- How often do you acquire new titles?
- How many books do you publish each year?
- What are your areas of interest?
- What type of books are you looking for?
- Do you have any upcoming titles that I might be interested in?
- Do you offer advances to authors?
- Do you charge any fees to authors?
- What type of marketing and publicity do you offer authors?
- Do you offer editorial feedback to authors?
- Do you have an editorial board or review committee that looks at submissions?
- Who will be reading my submission?
- How long will it take for you to get back to me about my submission?
- If my book is accepted, when can I expect it to be published?
- What are your terms and conditions for publication?
- Have you published any books like mine before?
- Who are some of your other authors?
- Can you tell me a little bit about your company’s history
- How long does it typically take for a decision to be made on a book proposal?
- What are the next steps if my book proposal is accepted?
- How much input will I have in the editing and publishing process?
- Will I be able to review the proofs of my book before it goes to print?
- How will my book be marketed and promoted?
- What are the royalties and other financial terms of the publishing contract?
- How long will it take for my book to be published once it is accepted?
- Are there any restrictions on what I can say or do during the promotion of my book?
- What are the rights that you acquire when you publish a book?
- How much does it cost to publish a book with you?
- How long does the publishing process take?
- Do you offer advances to authors?
- Do you provide editorial services?
- Do you design and print the covers for your books?
- Do you handle distribution and warehousing?
- Will my book be available in bookstores?
- Will my book be available online?
- Have any of your authors won awards or received other recognition?
- Can you provide me with a list of some of your recent titles?
- Can I speak with some of your authors to get their opinion on working with your company?
- Have you ever been sued by an author or had any other legal problems arise from one of your publications?
- What are the most important things that I should know about working with you?
- Do you have any imprints or divisions within your company?
- Are you currently accepting submissions?
- If so, what are you looking for?
- How many submissions do you receive per year?
- How many books do you publish per year?
- What is your acquisition process like?
- Do you work with agented authors?
- What is your publication schedule like?
- Are there any restrictions on the type of content you will consider for publication?
- Have you ever declined to publish a book because of its content?
- Will the author be able to approve cover art and marketing materials before they are finalized?
- How many copies will they print?
- What rights will I retain?
- What are the terms of the contract?
- Do you accept unsolicited submissions?
- What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
- How do you decide which books to publish?
- What role does marketability play in your decision to publish a book?
- What are some of the most successful books you’ve published?
- Can you tell me a little bit about your editorial team?
- Do you work with outside editors or reviewers before acquiring a book?
- What is the average advance you pay for a book?
- What are the standard royalty rates for hardcover, paperback, and e-book sales?
- Do you have a foreign rights department?
- re there certain times of the year when you are more likely to be open to submissions?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a book publisher do?
Book publishers are responsible for getting books from authors to the public. They work with authors to come up with a book proposal, help edit and market the book, and then handle printing and distribution. They may also help get the book into bookstores and other retail outlets.
What should I look for in a publisher?
When looking for a publisher, it is important that you find one that is a good fit for your work. Some things you may want to consider are the publisher’s size, distribution network, and marketing capabilities.
You should also look for a publisher that specializes in the genre of your book, and make sure the publisher has a good reputation and is reputable.
Conclusion
When deciding whether or not to publish with a particular publisher, there are many factors to consider. Weighing the pros and cons can be a difficult task, but hopefully, this list of questions gives you a good starting point. Ultimately, the decision is up to you!
