How much to send to publishers?

Question: How much to send to publishers!?

I'm not trying to get published right now or anything but I am just curious, when I do try sending my novel to publishers, will it be the first chapter or two I will have to send or the whole thing!? Does it depend on the publisher and if so do you know which publishing houses request which!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

First, find a publisher within your genre!. I recommend the Writer's Market, a book that should be available at your local library!. If not, you can purchase the newest version for about $20, or you can go to their website (www!.writersmarket!.com), but there is a fee!.

Each publisher has a strict list of guidelines, including whether they take unsolicited (unasked for) manuscripts!. Some publishers only take manuscripts from agents!. For the ones who accept manuscripts, give them only what they ask for!. This will include a query letter, plus some number of pages!. If they ask for 20 pages, they want the first 20 pages, not the 'best' 20 pages!.

If you don't have a query letter, there are books and websites that describe how to write one!. Writer's Digest (www!.writersdigest!.com) usually has some good articles on that!.

If you can't find any good publishers who are accepting manuscripts, look at getting an agent instead!. They have the same kind of guidelines (must be in your genre, will still need query letter, etc), and usually ask for 15% of any book sales!.

If you are getting a lot of rejections, consider these options:
1!. Join a writer's group or attend a writer's conference where you can share your writing with other authors and get their advice on how to improve it!.
2!. Hire a professional editor to strengthen your work!.

Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

From my research on the topic I found that publishers want to get the gist of your story before they read it!. So it's recommend that you come up with a brief summary of your story, kinda like the ones on the back or novels, and send that to them and if they are interested they will inquire further!.

But I would recommend for you to find an agent to do all that for you because an agent already has connections and will be able to better fight for you to get published if they believe in your book!. That's much better odds than hoping that some publisher person finds your stuff among hundreds of other people's submissionsWww@QuestionHome@Com

That will depend on the publisher!. They will all have guidelines!. You will need to reseach which publishers to send on bassed on the genre of your book-- eg, don't send an action novel to Mills and Boon or Harlequin!. Some places will not take unsolicited submissions!.

You'll need to usually give a good synopsis, possibly an outline, a sample chapter or two!. You'll need to have a clear picture of the story in mind, and your first paragraph had better totally enthrall them, thrill them, keep them gripped, because otherwise it goes back in the pile!.

Good luck when the time comes!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Find some writing groups to connect with!. Your state probably has a state-wide writers organization!. Search the internet, ask at your local library, bookstores, etc!. Network with some other writers, and you can share hints and information about writing/publishing!. Most publishers do not read unsolicited manuscripts!. Most will accept submissions only through agents!. Who do you find an agent!? Often agents participate in writers conferences, and that's your best chance to find someone who will represent your work!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You need to send them your pitch and your outline!. there are some great books about getting published that would probably really help you!. They'll also tell you which publishing houses will accept unsolicited manuscripts and which won't!. You'll probably want to look for an agent to send the book in for you!.

Check out "Getting Published for Dummies" and other books in that area!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It varies widely depending on the publisher or agent you are querying!.

Some will want just a letter and a brief plot synopsis or outline!. Others will want something in the range of your first 50 pages!. Others will want something in between!.

When you start looking for an agent/publisher, be very careful to follow their submission guidelines exactly!. It will require research and organization on your part!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Always query first!. Explain your work, length and your qualifications in a respectful one page letter!.
If the publisher is interested, she'll ask for a sample!. The first three chapters is good!. Each publishing house has guidelines, which you can find online!.Make sure you submit to the right publisher!. If horror, don't submit to a Christian market, and vice versa!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, you submit to an agent!. Publishing houses rarely if ever take submissions!. Good way for book to end up in the trash!.
Find an agent or self publish!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You have to be careful!. There are so-called vanity publishers out there that will produce a few copies of your book for an awful lot of money!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

$1 bob, $1Www@QuestionHome@Com

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