Q&A for How to Send a Book to a Publisher

The cost of self-publishing can vary greatly depending on presentation, length, editing, formatting, and promotion, among other factors. Generally speaking, however, it is certainly possible to self-publish for under $1,000.

The primary job of a literary agent is to find an editor who wants to buy your book (and to negotiate the best deal for you). A good literary agent will have a wide network of connections in the publishing industry and can help connect you with editors and publishers interested in your book. A literary agent might also help you revise your book to make it more marketable.

First and foremost, you need to craft a book proposal, the process of which is outlined in this article. After you've created your proposal, you can send it to publishers directly or, if you are interested in the larger publishers, solicit the help of a literary agent.

No, although hiring a literary agent can help you get your book to the right people and can make the difficult process of finding a publisher a bit easier, there are no guarantees. Moreover, it is possible to do this work yourself, especially if you are open to small publishers. Self-publishing is an increasingly popular option among writers.

Age does not matter, quality does. If you have a great manuscript, then you can get it published regardless.

Most publishing houses and agents understand writers will submit simultaneously when it comes to things like proposals and manuscripts. However, check guidelines. If a publishing house or agent has a rule against unsolicited submissions, it's best to wait to hear back until you submit to a different place.

You can attach your manuscript to an email document and send. Most publishers prefer PDFs as they open on all computers and retain the original formatting. However, check with the publishing house's requirements. If they would prefer a Word document, send that instead.

It's a good idea to have a second pair of eyes look over a manuscript. Writers tend to get "typo blind" if they've been working on something for a long time. However, you do not need to hire a professional. Ask a friend, family member, or colleague to read over your manuscript.

It's a good idea to get your book copyright protection before sending it out, although it is not required. Read over guidelines provided by a publisher or agent. Some agents and publishing houses take electronic submissions, while others do not.

This all depends on the specific publishing house. Check to see if you can include photography in your manuscript when sending your work out.

Wait for the editor's response. You usually only include a synopsis and the first 40 pages of your manuscript.

It depends on the submission guidelines. Read these over carefully to see how that particular publisher wants works submitted.

Find lists of publishers online and through recent books that list agents and publishers. Some work with authors publishing for very young age groups and some do not. You will want to send your book to an agent or publisher that works within your genre.

Read over submission guidelines. It depends on the requirements of the publisher or agent.

Yes. Aside from the actual readability of the manuscript, typing it is also a far more professional medium of submission.

You can register with the U.S copyright office. There, you can fill out an application, pay a reasonable fee and send in your manuscript. You should hear back from them within a few weeks.

Most credible writers will not do this, as it indicates that you are not organized and not confident in your writing ability.

While previous experience may open more doors for you, all authors face starting out unpublished. As long as your work can stand on its own merit, the right publisher will be willing to take a chance on your work. You may want to hire an editor prior to submitting your work to ensure it's as polished as possible.

Do not bind or staple your manuscript. Do not use ring binders, clamp binders, comb binders, string, or any other thing that cannot be removed with ease. Paper clips or rubber bands are acceptable. Always include a SASE (AKA a self-addressed, stamped envelope) that is large enough and has enough postage.