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Finding book publishers can be a complicated task. Stay with me and I'll explain how the strategies for finding publishers work and valuable tips about publishing books. If this is the topic that interests you, follow me.
Before that, however, it must be said that it is good to take some time to read calmly and absorb the ideas. You might want to have a notebook or paper to take your notes. Step by step, I will give important explanations and help you learn more about the subject.
Traditional book publishers do not charge writers to publish them. If a publisher charges a fee or offers “partnerships”, this means that these publishers are actually service providers. Below I will explain the difference between the two and also I talk more about this here.
How Traditional Publishers Work
Publishing a book through a traditional publisher is a dream for many writers. This process, although complex, offers many benefits and support that can be essential to an author's success. Understand traditional publishers as those that do not charge the author a penny to publish them. These publishers pay for absolutely everything. These are some of the largest traditional publishers in Brazil, in no particular order:
- Company of Letters
- Record Editorial Group
- Rocco Publishing
- Intrinsic Publisher
- Harper Collings Brazil
- Planet of Books
- Darkside Books
- Faro Editorial
- FTD Education
- Editor Globo
Important: These publishers are not looking for new authors. You will never see ads on social media asking you to submit manuscripts or links on their websites telling you how to submit your text to them.
These publishers purposely make it difficult to send originals, since they have their own release schedule and, in general, look for authors who are already well-known, either in their areas of expertise or because they have previously published notable books. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to get published, even if you are just starting your literary career. Below I will give more details on how to send manuscripts to traditional publishers.
The Submission Process
Manuscript Submission: The first step to publishing with a traditional publisher is submitting the manuscript, either directly through the author or through a literary agent. Traditional publishers generally have specific guidelines for submission, which include the author noting which literary genre they publish, the specific means of submitting the original, the formatting of the manuscript, a cover letter and, often, a detailed synopsis.
Assessment and Selection: After submission, the manuscript goes through a rigorous evaluation process. Editors analyze several aspects, such as the quality of writing, originality, commercial potential and whether the book fits into the company's editorial line. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Hiring: If you approve the manuscript, the publisher offers a publishing contract. This contract details the rights and duties of both parties, including the percentage of royalties that the author will receive (generally between 8 and 10% of the sales price), the deadlines for delivering the final manuscript and the steps in the editorial process.
Stages of the Editorial Process
Editing and Review: After signing the contract, the manuscript goes through several editing stages. This includes content editing, where the editor, if necessary, works with the author to improve the structure, plot and characters. The text is then proofread for grammar and spelling to ensure it is free of errors.
Layout and Design: Once the text is finished, the publisher takes care of the layout of the book, which involves formatting the text for printing. At the same time, the design department works on creating the cover and internal layout, ensuring that the book has an attractive and professional look.
Printing and Distribution
Print: Once the book is completely laid out and the design is finalized, the publisher sends the file to print. Traditional publishers have partnerships with printers that guarantee high-quality book production.
Distribution: Traditional publishers have a wide distribution network, which includes physical bookstores, online stores and other points of sale. They ensure that books are available throughout the country and, in some cases, abroad. Additionally, many publishers have agreements with distributors that help get books into the hands of readers throughout Brazil.
Marketing and Promotion
Marketing campaign: One of the great benefits of working with a traditional publisher is marketing and promotional support.
Publishers invest in marketing campaigns that may include advertising in magazines and newspapers, digital marketing, launch events and autograph sessions.
Press office: Traditional publishers also have press officers who help promote the book in the media.
They send copies of the book to literary critics, blogs and influencers, seeking reviews and mentions in major media outlets.
Events and Fairs: Participating in literary events and book fairs is another promotion strategy used by publishers. These events help increase the book's visibility and connect the author with the public.
Benefits and Challenges
Benefits: Publishing with a traditional publisher offers numerous benefits, including the credibility associated with the publisher's name, guaranteed editorial quality, wide distribution, and marketing and promotional support. In addition, the publisher assumes the costs of production, printing and distribution, allowing the author to focus on writing.
Challenges: However, there are also challenges. The selection process is highly competitive, with almost all manuscripts being rejected. The waiting time may be long, and the author may have to give up some creative control. Furthermore, royalties paid by traditional publishers are generally lower compared to self-publishing.
In the past, when they wanted to publish their books, authors used to look for literary agents or send their manuscripts to traditional publishers. And as is already widely known, large Brazilian publishers do not have the capacity to absorb the immense number of authors seeking to publish their books.
Over more than 6 years working within a publishing house, I have written more than 3.000 books for the main Brazilian publishers and independent authors. Therefore, I can say with certainty: for every thousand originals that reach traditional publishers, only two or three complete the entire selection process and are published.
And this happens for a variety of reasons, from the arrival of originals that do not have the publishing profile of a publishing house to great works that arrived at the right publisher, but at the wrong time.
You can greatly increase your chances of being published by a traditional publisher.
How to find book publishers
Just remember that many of these book publishers, and others that have the same operating method: they publish their books betting on those authors whose works are supposed to sell in large quantities. Therefore, the selection they make is very rigorous.
It is precisely to these publishers that most writers send their originals, believing that there are professionals there who have a lot of time to evaluate the works that arrive.
But I need to be realistic and tell you what happens: the majority of manuscripts that reach publishers are rejected. It doesn't take more than a few minutes for an editorial production intern or an editorial assistant to place your manuscripts in a rejected pile, leaving you ignored, with no chance.
Often, this happens because the originals that arrive do not have affinity with the editorial line of that house.
To considerably increase your chances of being published by a traditional publisher, learn about the course How to Find a Publishera, taught by Laura Bacellar, my partner on the site Ewrite your book.
Get access to the step-by-step guide that has already revealed to more than 2000 writers the secret to publishing books with a real publisher!
Service Provider Publishers: What They Are and How They Work
Publishing a book is an exciting step for any author. However, the path to publication can be complicated, especially when dealing with service publishers. Now I'm going to talk about how these publishers work, the types of services they offer, the benefits and pitfalls that can arise.
What Are Service Provider Publishers?
Service provider publishers are companies that offer a range of services to authors who wish to publish their books. Unlike traditional publishers, these companies do not select manuscripts based on their commercial potential. Instead, they work with any author willing to pay for the services they offer, such as proofreading, layout, cover design, printing and distribution. It doesn't matter the quality of the manuscript, it doesn't matter the literary genre, it doesn't matter the authority of the writer.
How do Service Provider Publishers Work?
Contracting Services: The process begins with the author hiring the publisher’s services. This can include everything from proofreading and layout to cover design and book printing. Some publishers offer complete packages, while others allow authors to choose individual services based on their needs.
Payment: A common feature of these publishers is payment for services. Costs can vary significantly from one to another. It is essential that authors understand all costs involved before signing any contract.
Book Production: Once the services have been contracted, the publisher begins working on producing the book. This includes editing and reviewing the text, layout, cover creation and printing. During this process, communication between the author and publisher is crucial to ensure the final product meets expectations.
Distribution and Sales: Publishers that provide services do not make an effort to distribute and sell the book. They can place it on online platforms (also called marketplaces).
There is no physical distribution of copies in bookstores and other points of sale. It's just a registration in some bookstores. If, eventually, a buyer arrives at the physical store and asks for your book, the store salesperson will have to ask the publisher to send the copy, to be picked up days later.
This is a very common siren song practiced by several publishing service providers. To sell your book publishing service, some will imply that your book will be available in stores.
In practice, this situation is very unlikely to happen.
Benefits of Service Provider Publishers
What a Traditional Publisher Looks Like: For people who don't know how the book market works. These publishers are quite confused with a traditional publisher.
Pitfalls and Challenges of Service Provider Publishers
High costs: Costs can be prohibitive, especially for indie authors. It is crucial to understand all the costs involved and assess whether the investment will be worth it. Often, if you need new copies, the cost per copy will be quite prohibitive, to the point of making it difficult to return on investment.
Exaggerated Promises: Many service publishers make exaggerated promises about the success of the book. It's important to be skeptical about promises of bestsellers or translations into multiple languages.
Transparency: The lack of transparency and leonine contracts can be a problem. So make sure the contract is clear about copyright, costs and what is included in the services. Furthermore, read all the clauses carefully and, if possible, consult a lawyer specializing in the publishing market, as there are items that are harmful to writers that go unnoticed by those who are not in the publishing world.
Limited Distribution: Although some publishers offer distribution services, their effectiveness is often extremely limited. It is essential to understand exactly how and where the book will be distributed and what marketing efforts the publisher will undertake. As they make a living from selling services, after publication, almost nothing happens afterwards.
Tips for Choosing the Right Publishing Service Provider
Search Reputation: Before hiring any service, research the publisher’s reputation. Read reviews from other authors and see if there are complaints on Reclame Aqui or other review platforms. Although, lately, many of them are introducing confidentiality clauses precisely because of the high volume of complaints.
Clear Contracts: Make sure the contract is clear and detailed. Verify that the text and cover files will be yours after publication. Avoid publishers that do not provide these files, as this may limit your freedom to publish elsewhere in the future.
Sales Reports: If the publisher also handles distribution and sales of the book, demand regular, detailed sales reports. This helps ensure you are being paid correctly for your book sales.
Copyright: Check who owns the copyright to the book after publication. Ideally, you should retain all rights to your work.
Self-publishing: procedures and advantages
Publishing a book through a traditional publisher is, for most authors, a dream.
In fact, serious obstacles, such as the problem of not having any control over the direction of your book. Because everything is concentrated in the hands of the publisher, a procedure registered through the contract between the publisher and the author.
Especially for those of you who are looking for book publishers, I will now talk about an efficient strategy: self-publishing (or independent publishing). Maybe you've looked at traditional publishers and felt frustrated. For this reason, you don't want to give up on being a writer, you don't want to feel unmotivated or you don't have the patience to face this process, which is sometimes exhausting.
Have you gotten tired of having sent your writings and seeing them rejected and having gone through high doses of anxiety waiting for a response that brought you nothing favorable.
See below a video of Laura Bacellar, my friend and partner on the site Write your Book, which explains well what the experience of publishing an independent book is like:
Self-publishing offers a number of advantages:
- you will not be tied to a contract;
- you will be able to make the disclosure, according to your interest;
- the circulation (number of books) will be defined by you and you will be able to control sales;
- will launch it to your close group of readers, friends and family;
- interferences in the editing process can be monitored (preparation of originals; review; layout; selection of photos/images to be inserted; concept and choice of cover, etc.);
- There is, therefore, the possibility of a dialogue with the professional who works in this activity – he will seek to respond to your ideas and dedicate himself to doing his best to make your book as attractive as possible;
- And most importantly: all profits from sales of your work will be 100% yours!
Conclusion on book publishers and self-publishing
Publishing through a traditional publisher may be a possible path; however, it is a little difficult, as I reported to you in this article. Furthermore, in this publishing segment, whose business model is to produce books under very peculiar criteria, many originals are rejected.
Authors who are not celebrities and do not have a considerable readership, after one or more negative reviews, not only feel disillusioned. What else happens?
In some cases, the writer ends up giving up on a creative endeavor that could be a great collaboration in improving his ideas and that of the reading public, ending up losing the possibility of developing a path that would bring him enormous learning.
Therefore, a great alternative is to pursue self-publishing. Furthermore, it has a series of advantages compared to any publisher. Consequently, you won't face that general feeling of anxiety when waiting for a response, nor will you suffer from a refusal and feel disappointed.
Such experiences, therefore, cause discomfort, fatigue and demotivation.
If you have dedicated yourself to writing your originals so far, you know the effort it took and you need to take one more step: have your book published! So, what I showed you is that there is the possibility of making your dream come true.
Did you like this article and want to know more about self-publishing? I suggest you take a look at my work done for the main publishers in the Brazilian market and also for independent authors, visiting my portfolio: book covers, book layout e websites for authors.
If you have any questions, call me on WhatsApp ou contact directly with me.