Submitting to a publisher

[Colleen Thomas]

Well, the response to my nano project, the Furies has been unreal. Nearly 100 votes and a 4.95 average, with more feedback saying I should submit it to a publisher than any previous work. trouble is, I have no idea how to go about it.

I'd love to see it in print, but am just at a loss on how to go about trying to get it looked at. I know the Ah has been filled with posts about getting published, but I am going to ask if anyone here has any experience or ideas on what I need to do, besides get it throughly copy edited. Any help would be really appreciated as I have never before seriously entertained the idea of submitting anything.

-Colly

 

[rgraham666]

Yay Colleen.

Go for it!

 

[Whisky7up]

www.publishamerica.com

It's all free and at the very least you get two of your own copies. I have heard people say that some stores won't take their publications...and others here say the books stay 'on file' until ordered. But they tell me that my book is about to go to the printers...although I guess that could be for my two copies...but is that cost effective for them to produce only two?
I have no idea. But I have no dreams of making money. I'll be happy that a publishing company thought it good enough to publish and print me copies, without it costing me a cent.

 

[TheEarl]

My understanding goes that you send a covering letter that outlines the basic premise of the story and a short synopsis. You then include the first chapter of the story and send this off to lots of publishers. Research your market well; find out which person you're supposed to be sending it to and how they like their submissions to come (especially when submitting electronically; you must make sure it's not filtered as Junk). Find publishers that have already published things in similar genres or categories to your novel and don't be afraid to apply to big publishers. They may have more leeway to take a flyer on an unknown novelist.

Considering trying this myself when I finish editing my novel, so I read up.

The Earl

 

[sweetnpetite]

my suggestion

Well, the response to my nano project, the Furies has been unreal. Nearly 100 votes and a 4.95 average, with more feedback saying I should submit it to a publisher than any previous work. trouble is, I have no idea how to go about it.

I'd love to see it in print, but am just at a loss on how to go about trying to get it looked at. I know the Ah has been filled with posts about getting published, but I am going to ask if anyone here has any experience or ideas on what I need to do, besides get it throughly copy edited. Any help would be really appreciated as I have never before seriously entertained the idea of submitting anything.

-Colly

Go to the library and find the current Writer's Market. If it's an online version, pick a topic like 'romance' or whatever (depending on how bold you are) and ask the librarian how to access it from the libraries computers. (It's subscription based) I don't know how that works, but it's info you might need later when searching for yourself. Find the book topic index for 'erotica' (yes, they have one) there will be a list of publishers and page numbers. IF I were you, I'd xerox that for ease of use. Then look up the suggested book publishers (sometimes publishers who publish erotica won't be indexed that way for some reason, but I'm sure you'll have enough to start.) Another topic might be 'small presses' or 'literary' or 'lesbian' you get the idea.

Now look up each market and read it carefully. unless it says 'does not accept unsolicited/unagented material' you don't need an agent to send it. Make a list of markets that sound like they would be a good match, then send for guidelines and catalogue to see what their product looks like (or look them up online) You also may want to simply xerox a section or page so you can refer back to it later to answer questions like how much royalty is paid, what rights do they want, etc. Make special note of what they want sent. (often they want to see a synopsis and three chapters) and how they want it sent.

I've never tried this- but why not when you've made a list of several promising markets write to them, tell them you have a manuscript but you'd like to know a few things about them before you submit. Then ask about how much imput you'll have about things like cover art, and what sort of marketing a first novel is likely to get. And who is the best person to address your submission to. (I've heard that it's terrible to addrss a mss to a title without a name) At least then you won't be suprised later and you'll have made 'first contact.'

All that would be left after that is to submit it.

Now I'm off to read it before it gets pulled for publication. I'm poor and I can't afford the cover price

 

[matriarch]

Bella Books - previously Naiad Press

Bella's Manuscript
Submission Guidelines

Bella Books specializes in fiction by and about lesbians. We publish general lesbian fiction, romance, mystery / thriller, sci-fi / fantasy, and erotica. Bella is interested in novels with a solid plot and engaging, fully-realized characters. The main characters must be lesbians and the story must be credible. The manuscript should be between 50,000 and 80,000 words.

Bella Books does NOT accept unsolicited manuscripts. Your manuscript should be completed before sending your query to us. We are not interested in manuscripts that have been submitted simultaneously to multiple publishers.

To make sure that your manuscript is considered, please follow these instructions carefully.

Send a cover letter, précis, an excerpt from your manuscript (no more than 30 pages!) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Bella Books
P.O. Box 10543
Tallahassee, FL 32302

The cover letter should very briefly describe your book, including the title and word count. It should also include a brief biographical sketch of the author. If your author name is a pseudonym, please state this information up front! If you have published books under any name, please give us that information as well.

Make sure you include your address, phone numbers where you can be reached, and your email address. The précis should include an outline of the plot (please keep this to one or two pages) and a bit of information about the main characters.

If we are interested in reading the manuscript, we will contact you. Please understand that we receive many queries each day, and it is not unusual for 45 days or so to pass before we contact you.

If we ask to see your manuscript, please send it typed (double-spaced) with one-inch margins. Remember that you are trying to woo a publisher for your book. Make it as clean (no typos, pages in correct order, etc.) as you can to the best of your ability. We prefer that you bind the manuscript in some way so that pages are not easily lost or misplaced. Your manuscript must be available by email or on disk if we need it. (Microsoft Word preferred.)

For more information on Bella's Manuscript Formatting Mechanics, please click here

Thank you for your interest in Bella Books.

This is just one publisher that specialises in Lesbian Literature.....a quick google will show up others:

Alternative Women's Books

 

[sweetnpetite]

www.publishamerica.com

It's all free and at the very least you get two of your own copies. I have heard people say that some stores won't take their publications...and others here say the books stay 'on file' until ordered. But they tell me that my book is about to go to the printers...although I guess that could be for my two copies...but is that cost effective for them to produce only two?
I have no idea. But I have no dreams of making money. I'll be happy that a publishing company thought it good enough to publish and print me copies, without it costing me a cent.

I won't say never, but don't go to publishamerica without reading all the warnings about it and knowing exactly what you are getting.

Publish America is print on demand. I think it's great for what it is, but dispite what they claim they are *NOT* a 'traditional publisher.'

It may not be your best choice, and I don't think it should be your first.

 

[matriarch]

I won't say never, but don't go to publishamerica without reading all the warnings about it and knowing exactly what you are getting.

Publish America is print on demand. I think it's great for what it is, but dispite what they claim they are *NOT* a 'traditional publisher.'

It may not be your best choice, and I don't think it should be your first.

Couldn't agree more.
First stop should definitely be a traditional publisher.

 

[KarenAM]

PublishAmerica has gotten some pretty bad press lately for misrepresenting itself as a traditional publisher, and for holding rights that prevent their authors from going elsewhere with their work should they decide to.

I'd look first at traditional publishers, keeping in mind that it's really, really tough to publish a first novel, as you generally have to get an agent before they will even look at your work. If you decide to go with publishing it yourself, as I did, I'd suggest iUniverse or a similar company whose contract clearly states that you get to keep the rights to your work, and be prepared to do all the editing and copyediting and back-cover blurb writing yourself. I have some techniques for doing this that I'll get organized in my head and post, if y'all are interested.

 

[sweetnpetite]

Not that I'm saying it's *not* hard, but I think it's better if you push all of that out of your head and just go for it.

If you make sure to submit to the right market, submit the package requested, have it typed neetly without errors and submit it to a name and not just a title you are already ahead of about 85% of submitters.

And I don't understand all of the talk about no one looking at work without an agent. I see listings all the time that accept unagented work.

If, after a good fair shot your still waiting or you've been shot down by just about everyone, try entering into a (respected) contest for unpublished novels. Or- you could just do that now Winning a contest is a good selling point for publishers or agents. (or so I hear)

Some people send mss out to 'everybody' three times. keep an eye out for editorial changes (policies or people) or just get a list of different people who work there to send it to the second or third time around. Harry Potter is said to have been rejected by 'everybody' at least that many times.

 

[mismused]

PublishAmerica has gotten some pretty bad press lately for misrepresenting itself as a traditional publisher, and for holding rights that prevent their authors from going elsewhere with their work should they decide to.

I'd look first at traditional publishers, keeping in mind that it's really, really tough to publish a first novel, as you generally have to get an agent before they will even look at your work. If you decide to go with publishing it yourself, as I did, I'd suggest iUniverse or a similar company whose contract clearly states that you get to keep the rights to your work, and be prepared to do all the editing and copyediting and back-cover blurb writing yourself. I have some techniques for doing this that I'll get organized in my head and post, if y'all are interested.

=======================================================

Colly,

About a year or more ago, I tried to have one of my novesl published. As a last resort, I tried to find more women's oriented sites, and came across Seal Press,

http://sealpress.com/
which specializes in women authors only books.

Also a publisher of great note is Cleis Press, which publishes lesbian stories. I know I tried them too, but can't find their submission guidlines. Here's their site:

http://cleispress.com/

If you can't get how to's about the "query" letter, PM me, and I'll get whatever you need to you, including my own query letters.

My story, while good, I now recognize as not of publishable quality. I may be trying again sometime soon with a couple more stories, but here's some more of what I've gleamed in my first efforts:

Agents: Many, on their websites, said that they took on lesbian stories, but when sent my story, their letters invariably said "we don't do those." IOW, you can't really trust what their website says.

Also, just about all large publishers accept from agents only, and do the agents ever know their power now. Sheesh! They're almost tryannicla.

After I burned myself out temporarily, I thought to go to women's/lesbian publishers, but was too out of it by then.

Also, try googling "lesbian book publishers," and you can get an idea of others.

One last thing: make a listing of all the PC's you've gotten, the e mails praising your work, and the awards you've won. One author did something like that, and got the attention s/he deserved, and got published (can't remember who, or where I saw that not too long ago.

Hope this helps. If I can be of any assistance to you, I'd be more than tickled to help you cause you rock, Colly, and we all know it. Best to you, babe,

mismused

 

[impressive]

Also a publisher of great note is Cleis Press, which publishes lesbian stories. I know I tried them too, but can't find their submission guidlines. Here's their site:

http://cleispress.com/

http://cleispress.com/submission.html

Good luck, Colly!

 

[sweetnpetite]

PS- I see that "The Furies" did win a contest here on lit! That is fabulous. Be sure to note that in your cover letter. You might also note that you've won contests here (and anywere else you may have won anything for writing) for short stories as well. You are a four time literotica contest winner and you also have two editor's pics. Don't be shy about selling yourself

Before going to POD (Print on Demand, ie. Publish America) I'd also look into e-publishing like Elora's Cove and stuff like that. I have no idea but online might be the way to go for sci-fi lesbian erotica And talk to Doc. I think he's got some experience in E-publishing.

 

[mismused]

More sources for you

Hope we're not overloading you. Here's more:



In Yahoo, "lesbian publishers" give long list of sources.

Firebrand Books (no URL, just enter in address box)

Lesbian.com (magazine and book publishers)

The University of Wisconsin has "FEMINIST BOOKSTORES, PUBLISHERS, REVIEWS, LISTS AND ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF WOMEN'S STUDIES BOOKS" A nice listing of publishers, etc.

Here's a listing of who?s not right, and who possibly is right in book publishing, agenting. Many use this, if I?m not mistaken:

http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealk.htm

Literary Leaps: http://www.literaryleaps.com/index.cfm
has erotica, and Gay and Lesbian sections.

mismused

 

[silverwhisper]

colleen:

writer's marketplace is your friend. :> several companies deliberately obfuscate the difference b/n printing & publishing. you do not want to do printing: you want to be published. cleis press is the publisher of susie bright's more recent work; in the past, she was published by touchstone books, which IIRC is an imprint of pocket books.

use amazon to find the publishers of erotica that you've enjoyed. if you liked their work and your work is similar, you will have a greater chance of success. then research those publishers' webpages and look for their submission guidelines. i think it goes w/out saying that you should never submit anything that is not consistent w/ the guidelines. :>

i'm assuming that this is novel-length, rather than short story or novella? short stories are a hard sell, b/c the only way to sell a short story is in part of an anthology, unless you submit to magazines.

good luck!

ed

 

[carsonshepherd]

http://www.ellorascave.com/writing.asp

Might want to check out Ellora's Cave... they have a (admittedly pathetic) gay/lesbian section. When I get my novel edited, I'm thinking about submitting it there for consideration.

 

[Edward Teach]

Can't offer any decent advice, Colly but I can offer a ton of best wishes.



Ed

 

[minsue]

Can't offer any decent advice, Colly but I can offer a ton of best wishes.



Ed

Ditto. I'm so glad you're looking into it, beautiful.

 

[Dar~]

never had any difficulty submitting to anyone . . .would a publisher be any diferent?

 

[Omni]

Colly


I've been around these parts for a while. You won't know me because I rarely post, however I have read here for years. I know your writing well. It is extremely sell worthy.

I am a small publisher of erotica and an author of it as well. I considered at one time querying you to sell some of your work for a newer lesbian imprint in my company, which sells mostly straight for now. Unfortunately I did one lesbian novella, then because of promotion costs I had to turn my sights elsewhere. So in the end I did not feel there was enough promotional money to be put behind the new imprint for a while. Therefore I never queried you.

That is just a tad of background so you understand where I am coming from. I think you are good enough that any publishers of lesbian erotica will want your work. SO take your time and pick the best you can find, BUT do it! lol

On the suggestion of Publish America, they are not a good publishing company and have a bad reputation. It would not matter though because they would not accept erotica, thank god, for the writers of erotica out there not getting screwed by them too.

Anyway, you have a lot of good suggestions here on this thread for places to look. I have seen quite a bit of market movement from Torque Press. But I have not investigated them so this is not a professional recommendation. Just a place you might look into.

I also found another publisher at Erotic Readers and Writers, that link is below.

Investigate any publishers you are interested in as much as you can. Ask lots of questions of them. I believe in self publishing but you do not need to, because your work is the quality that a publisher will pick up.

One other place to find info on publishers and markets is Absolute Write.com...look in their forums.




Torque Press

Alice Publications


I hope we all encouraged you to go forth and do it!

Omni

 

[Seattle Zack]

POD is a loser's market ... for erotica, what you need is brand recognition.

Check out the "submission guidelines": at http://www.erotica-readers.com/ERA/index.htm. Writer's Digest has them too, but that's much broader. Sell a few stories or novels, then hit up the big publishers with inquiry letters and such.

Besides, nothing beats that first check you get for your work. Even if it's only a hundred bucks or so.

 

[TheEarl]

I am a small publisher of erotica and an author of it as well.

Omni: the bravest publisher in the world, surrounded by hundreds of slavering authors. I would've thought that one sentence would be invitation for hundreds of PMs of people touting their work.

JOI: Have you posted on the AH before? Your name rings a bell.

The Earl

 

[sweetnpetite]

Omni: the bravest publisher in the world, surrounded by hundreds of slavering authors. I would've thought that one sentence would be invitation for hundreds of PMs of people touting their work.



The Earl

LOL, I had the same thought.:O

 

[KarenAM]

POD is a loser's market ... for erotica, what you need is brand recognition.

Have to disagree with you there, SZ. While brand recognition is good, and will help you sell books, POD has the advantage of allowing the author to innovate without worrying so much about the market. Since my novel is neither traditional erotica, nor traditional romance nor traditional science fiction it is unlikely that I, as an unknown writer, could have placed it with a traditional publisher.

Has publishing it as POD worked? Well, I've gotten a favorable national review for it, and several times this past month the sales of the e-book at Amazon have broken the top 100,000 for books. People are reading it and appreciating it, and that's what I've hoped for.

There's nothing wrong with the traditional publishing market, and Colly is more than good enough to be published there. But one should never turn one's back on all the options, and she is also talented enough to do the extra editorial work to publish herself, should she choose to do so.

 

[Omni]

Omni: the bravest publisher in the world, surrounded by hundreds of slavering authors. I would've thought that one sentence would be invitation for hundreds of PMs of people touting their work.

JOI: Have you posted on the AH before? Your name rings a bell.

The Earl

I have scattered posts on the AH through the years. I have just never mentioned my job before. I did so this time to encourage a damn good writer.


Omni