How do I contact a publisher?
Most publishing houses will have a website and include information specific to their company.
The VWC offers general guidelines for submitting your manuscript.
Read the latest edition of The Australian Writers' Marketplace to find relevant publishers for your genre. The AWM includes the contact details and submission information for most publishing houses in Australia.
When contacting a publisher make sure they have a history of publishing similar titles. Do some research on their recent titles, including the titles length and style.
Publishers may wish to know who your writing is comparable to, or your manuscript. It is a good idea to have an idea of perhaps three titles your manuscript would sit next to in a bookstore, or on a website (in the "customers who bought this book also bought" section of an online bookstore).
Most publishers publish works from writers they already know or after approaches made by literary agents. Only a small number of authors get found in the 'slush pile' of unsolicited manuscripts. Even if a publisher does accept unsolicited manuscripts (and many don't), they might have a pile of hundreds and very little time to read them. Therefore, you must plan your attack on a publisher like a military assault (or a well-planned peace protest).
You must first research which publishers are publishing books like yours, whether they accept unsolicited manuscripts and in what form. It would be advisable to contact an editor at the appropriate publishing house to brief them about your idea and ask if they'd like to see your manuscript. Usually they will want to see an introductory letter, a CV, a synopsis and a few chapters of the book, but check first. Also, remember that your synopsis and covering letter must be some of your finest writing. Most publishers are businesses with a profit motive (sometimes balanced against literary goals); you will have to convince them that your work is not only fantastic, but that there is a market for it too.
Publishers like dealing with writers who have a track record, so build up your writing CV by entering competitions (and hopefully winning), sending your work to literary (and other) magazines, and making connections across the literary community. Some publishers may consider manuscripts which have been favourably appraised by the Victorian Writers' Centre's Manuscript Assessment Service.
Good Reading
- Australian Writers' Marketplace 2009-10 Queensland Writers' Centre
- A Decent Proposal Sheila Hollingworth
- Getting Published. A free ASA paper that includes advice on who to approach, how to contact a publisher, what to include with your submission and how to present your manuscript.
- Getting Published. Advice for poets from the Australian Poetry Centre, written by Ron Pretty.