I wish for a publisher.
Dearest Readers,
It is my birthday today, May 5th and I was hoping to ask for a small gift from my readers. As some of you know, I have been wanting to write another book very, very badly. I self-published my first book, “You’re Grounded!” with my babysitting money and my allowance. It has done really well, it won a Mom’s Choice Award this Year and we have sold a few thousand copies.
I would love, love, love to write another parenting book or book for teens. I have many pitches written up. Yet, I am not quite sure how to go about approaching the traditional publishing industry. I thought I would start with my blog and ask for help.
Publishers?
First, if we have any publishers who are looking to acquire a blogger or want a very different perspective on parenting and someone with a built in audience and over 500 articles to peruse, I am your girl!
I would be happy to send you my write-ups or discuss my proposals.
Testimonials?
Second, I thought maybe it would help sway some publishers if I had a few more reader testimonials. I am humbly requesting any testimonials for the blog and/or my book, “You’re Grounded!” if you have read it.
We have just set-up a reader testimonial page and would love it if you have a few seconds, and like this blog to share your thoughts, comments or any way that our articles have helped you and if you would like to see more (especially if you would buy a book if it came out?)
Can you help me? I would greatly greatly appreciate it.
Truly yours,
Vanessa Van Petten and the Teen Team
Hi Vanessa, I hear you…and I sympathize so very much – I have also written a book…but I decided against self publishing and built a strategy to find a publisher…I assume you’ve tried contacting all of the publishers that produce similar literature to You’re Grounded? Get in touch with them – call them, email them, create submissions that meet their criteria…and believe that one will offer you something. I am now publishing with Longacre Press in New Zealand and they are just awesome!! Alternatively some great sites with hints are http://www.publishme.co.nz , lulu.com or get your book onto http://www.changethis.com so people can vote to get you published!! Good Luck! PS if you want somebody to write in a new Careers Section on your website let me know!
Vanessa,
I am not in the publishing business, but I will do what I can. We follow each other on Twitter and will RT your message and request as much as I can. Surely, with your audience and focus, there is someone out there looking for you!
To get into the big houses, like Simon & Schuster, you’ll need an agent. If you try the smaller presses, you won’t need an agent. Self-publishing is still considered to be a bad word in the publishing industry. Basically, if you haven’t been published traditionally, then you haven’t been “published”. If you decide to do the agent search, you’ll need to send a query letter first and they always ask about your publishing history. Mention the blog. Don’t mention the self-published book. Best place to start the agent search is AgentQuery.com. There are also quite a few literary agents that blog, like Nathan Bransford. It would probably be a good idea to check out an agent blog to get a feel for what they’re looking for.
As for pitches, publishers/editors/agents, etc prefer the work to either be completed, or close to being completed. Just to be safe, you should probably do one or the other first, before submitting.
The advantage for you, though, is your built-in platform and followers. At least this way, they’ll know you’ll be able to market/promote your book. Another thing to keep in mind is that whether you end up with a Big House or a Little House, you will do the majority of the marketing/promoting yourself. New authors don’t get a big publicity push. In fact, if you get an advance, expect to use part of that for publicity. Also, an advance is considered to be an “advance against royalties.” Meaning, if you get a $5,000 advance, you will have to sell $5,000 worth of your books before you see an actual royalty check.
I’m not trying to discourage you, but this is what I’ve learned from studying the industry and reading blogs of traditionally published authors. I’m a self-published author as well and have decided to go the traditional route–again–with my YA series, but will hit up the small presses directly this time. No agent.
Hope this helps.
One last thing…a good place to look for publishers is Wordhustler.com.
Kathryn
Thanks so much for this, yes now I am tapping everyone I know! Would be happy to talk to you about articles, just let me know, tomorrow I will be posting about my book idea….
Thanks for reading!
Vanessa
thank you!
tomorrow I am posting my book idea, maybe this will help, would love any suggestions or if i can help you let me know!
V
Hi Celise
This helps a lot. I know it is a bad thing to self publish in the traditional publishing houses. I probably should try some query letters and hope my blog and its following will help push me.
Tomorrow I am posting my book idea to start the proposal because I have heard that helps. I am going to start writing and researching now in earnest per your advice.
Thanks so much, keep me posted on your YA book!
V