Which publisher do I choose?

~ June, 2005 ~

by Winona Rasheed
Managing Editor
www.author-me.com

---

Now that you have finished adding the final touches to your manuscript and it is in tip top shape; ready to meet that publisher's eye, you may be overwhelmed to see the listings of publishers that you, the writer will have to sort through.

After spending weeks, months, or perhaps even years on your manuscript, fine tuning it to create a well written, finished product; you now have to make the big decision of where to send it. As writers, we also have to pay close attention and do the research in finding a publisher for our work.

There are many publishers out there, especially on the web, which are seeking manuscripts from new writers. There are Publishers which will tell you that they can and will publish your work, but for a small fee, guaranteeing that you will become a "published author." As a writer myself, I can truly say that it sounds good, after all, that's our goal, to become published, turning our manuscripts into books that sell.

But, WRITERS BEWARE, because you don't have to pay a publisher upfront to publish your work. They pay you!!!

My personal experience had led me to a publisher that was interested in my work, only to find out that in order for me to have my work published I would have to pay a third-party. The third-party consisted of an editor and an illustrator that I had to pay for; immediately, a red flag popped up, warning me.

WRITERS BEWARE, because the publishers that you are looking for do not charge for these services. It's part of the package deal when you receive your acceptance letter. Publishers have their own in-house editors and illustrators. If you present to them a well polished manuscript that they are interested in, they will pay you to publish it, taking your work through the entire publishing process without charging you a fee.

Do your research when you are looking for a publisher, read their editorial guidelines.

A very good reference book that every writer should have on their shelf, especially if they are trying to publish their work, is the "Writer's Market," a detailed catalog listings of book and magazine editors who "buy what you write."

Yes, getting your story published is a long, hard road to travel, but if you are patient and steadfast you will succeed. Just beware of those publishers who tell you, "We can publish your story for a small fee."