Book publishing: how to get a book published

Research the book publishing market

Before writing a book, the most important thing to find out is whether there is likely to be a market for it. The book publishing industry favours novels over poetry and short stories for example, while in non-fiction, biographies are always popular in the UK market.

It's important to find out if any book publishing companies have recently released a book on a subject similar to the one you want to write. This may suggest market interest—if you have something new to say about a popular topic—or it may mean that the subject is exhausted.

Target book publishing companies and agents

Before you contact any potential book publishing houses, make sure you identify the ones which are most likely to be interested in your type of book. Finding the right book publishing outlet could be the key to getting your work published.

Consider approaching a literary agent with your book idea. Agents will have contacts at most book publishing companies and know who best to approach. If they think you have a good chance of getting published, they'll take you on and do the work of selling the book into book publishing companies for you. Like publishers, agents often specialise in particular styles and genres.

There are several handbooks and directories available which list all the publishers and agents, and give you a good idea of what they're looking for. Ask in your library or bookshop.

Get your submission right

Book publishing houses and agents aren't interested in receiving a whole manuscript from an unknown writer.

It's much more likely that someone will consider your work if you send them a few sample chapters, along with a synopsis of the whole book. Be sure to include a brief biography, telling the book publishing company who you are and why they should consider your book.

Many book publishing houses have writers' guidelines which they will send out on request. These will give you a very clear idea of how they want to receive submissions, and should be followed to the letter.

Do-it-yourself book publishing

If you want to arrange to have your book published yourself, there are several options. Self-publishing companies (also known as "vanity publishing" companies) will prepare and print your work for a fee. You set the number of copies.

There are also a range of companies, many web-based, which promote your book and only print off copies as they are ordered. This means you can recoup the production costs out of sales as you go. Such companies usually charge a commission on sales.

Writer's tip:

Don't take no for an answer. Many top authors got rejected by dozens of book publishing houses before their book finally got published. If you have something to say, and you know how to say it, you'll get there in the end!