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Get Published ~ Books

Agents & Agent Blogs Genre Specifics
Book Proposals Links: Writing & Publishing Information
Books on Publishing Books Promote Your Book
Common Mistakes Self Publishing
Copy Rights, etc. MARKET LINKS: Book Publishers
ISBN Numbers, etc. Job Offers
Publishing Options, definitions Manuscript requests (dated & undated)

(e-mail with “Get Published” in Subject line, to add or correct links)         Page Updated: 03/03/2010

  Agents (not endorsed by ICWF, merely listed)  (top)
 
CHECK FIRST
AGENTS
AGENT BLOGS
  Book Proposals (top)
 
Q. What is the difference between an outline and a synopsis?
A. An outline is longer. It has a brief description of each chapter to show what happens/why it is important. These are often used in a submission for a mystery or thriller that has many plot twists. A synopsis is shorter, more like a book report. It is a sales pitch that includes information about plot, theme, setting and characterization.

Q. What do I include (or leave out of) my book proposal?
A. Send the best excerpts. The publisher may ask for the first chapter or two, but you can take a section from a particularly stirring scene or a fast-paced segment. Make sure they see your best writing.
        Also include a summary of competing titles to show that your book has distinctive qualities but a bookseller will know what section it belongs in. Select books that are reasonably current, somehow connected with yours, and are selling well. Explain similarities and differences. For instance, one book is about identical triplets who can't do anything without consulting each other, but yours is about identical triplets who hate each other. You can find help in online library descriptions where books are categorized by keywords. After you find one book with a few keywords that suit your purposes, search for more titles with similarities to what you have written. Check it out and make sure the book works as a competing title in your synopsis.
        You can say in your proposal that your style is similar to a certain author but be careful you don't create any impressing that you have mimicked anyone. This gives the publisher an idea if you are a good fit for their line.
        Show them how you have connected with readers. Do you have a blog, or a column, or a speaking ministry, or a high-profile job or other connections? Also, would your book appeal to a special interest group?
        Publishers must know that you understand marketing. How will you sell your book? What kind of connections to you have that give you opportunity to promote this novel?
        Avoid being flippant but show your sense of humor. Publishers like to know if you will be easy to work with. Convey that. However, do not quote your financial expectations. You can negotiate this after they offer a contract. You can share your vision of how you see the book — in terms of number of words and in final format, such as a trade paperback or chapbook or other format.

Q. What do I do if I didn't write a proposal? My book is published but sales are lagging.
A.  (Note: this answer is from Patricia Fry) If you didn’t write a book proposal before writing your book, you missed a vital step in the process of successfully producing and marketing a book. Don’t let sagging sales determine your grim future in publishing. Write a post-publication book proposal and get back on track. Order Patricia Fry’s FREE report, The Post-Publication Book Proposal. 

  Books on Publishing Books (top)
 

  • Anderson, Suzanne. Self-Publishing in Canada: A Complete Guide to Designing, Printing and Selling Your Book (ISBN 1-894208-00-5)

  • Bowling, Anne. Ed. 2004 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market

  • Dils, Tracy E. You Can Write Children’s Books. The original instruction book, helpful for beginning children’s writers, includes ways to target the right age group, tips for attention-getting submissions.

  • Dils, Tracy E. You Can Write Children’s Books Workbook. Contains exercises, includes everything from creating unique story ideas to preparing professional submissions.

  • Feiertag, Joe & Cupito, Mary Carmen. The Writer's Market Companion.  Answers all your questions about the business of writing. Loaded with the latest statistics, trends, and news to help you understand how to successfully navigate the publishing industry. ISBN: 0-89879-930-9.

  • Herman, Jeff. Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 2003-2004.

  • Herman, Jeff & Deborah. Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition

  • Jenkins, Jerrold R. with Mardi Link. Inside the Best Sellers. Rhodes & Easton. 1997. ISBN 0-9649401-1-6. Authors' inspiring self-publishing stories Includes bibliographical references and index.

  • Larsen, Michael. How to Write a Book Proposal, 3rd Edition. 2004, Writers Digest Books; ISBN: 1582972516

  • Laufenberg, Cynthia ed. Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript. F & W Publications, 2004. ISBN: 1582972907 Newly revised with dozens of new submission examples.

  • Levinson, Jay Conrad; Frishman, Rick and Larsen, Michael. Guerilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons For Selling Your Work. Writer's Digest Books, 2001. ISBN 0-89879-983-X

  • Marshall, Evan. The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing. Getting down into the specifics of creating a novel.

  • Marshall, Evan. The Marshall Plan Workbook. Interactive workbook.

  • Marshall, Evan. The Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published.

  • Mayer, Bob. The Novel Writer's Toolkit. Writers Digest Books, 2003. ISBN 1582972613.

  • Mettee, Stephen Blake. The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal.

  • Mogilner, Alijandra. Children’s Writer's Word Book. Pick words that belong in your children's story, know seven reading levels, get into a child’s mind at various ages.

  • Orr, Alice. No More Rejections: 50 Secrets to Writing a Manuscript that Sells. Writer's Digest Books, 2004. ISBN: 1582972850.

  • Page, Susan. The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book.

  • Ross, Tom & Marilyn. Complete Guide to Self Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book.

  • Shepard, Aaron. The Business of Writing for Children.

  • Thomas, Suzanne P. Make Money Self-Publishing.

  • Whalin, Terry. Book Proposals that Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success. Buy it online

  • In Association with Amazon.ca - Amazon's Canadian online store has books about publishing. When you link from here InScribe receives a small bonus
  Common Mistakes (top)
 
NOT GETTING PUBLISHED AS YOU HOPED? Consider these common mistakes:

Out of the loop? Plan the best places to send your manuscripts. Be thorough with market research. Also keep up to speed with conditions in the marketplace. Know which publisher wants which topics and type of book.

Wordiness? Get to your point, and don’t take too long to say too much. Eliminate anything not vital to your article or story. Save what you take out for another story at another time.

Short, Straight Talk from the Editor by Terry Whalin, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission. Instant download available for 49 cents US from Amazon.

Forgetting about Market Research? "I was once told by an agent that the purpose of market research was so the publisher would know which shelf your book belonged on in the book store. Go on-line and see books that may be similar in setting, genre, theme, market audience, and list four or five that they can "compare" them too. Try Crossings or Amazon, or go through various publisher's front lists. You want to demonstrate you'll fit in the market without being a carbon copy of something that's already out there." – Val Coulman, InScribe member.
  Copy Rights (top)
  NOTE: The Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC) warns that the new CanWest contract is yet another thing for freelance writers to be aware of. Click here to read about it.
 
  ISBN Numbers, etc. (top)
 
  • Contact for ISBN numbers and information - Maryse Plouffe, ISBN Agency/Agence ISBN, Library & Archives Canada/Bibliothèque & Archives Canada. Tel.: (819) 994-6872 or 866 578 7777 (toll free). Fax: (819) 997-7517. Email.
  • For legal deposit

    NOTICE: Starting in 2007, ISBN numbers will have 13 digits, phasing out the current 10 digit system.  Find out more.
  Publishing Options (top)
 

Traditional Publishers: companies that purchase manuscripts from authors. Rights vary and are usually negotiable. Many publishing houses request a book proposal rather than a full manuscript. Some will work only through agents.

Subsidy Publishers: offer a range of publishing services such as editing and distribution, but all services require a fee from the author.

Self-publishers: authors who pay the full cost of publishing their books. The author is responsible for all editing, design, layout, printing, marketing, filing for ISBN, etc.

Print-on-Demand: these publishers use technology to produce one book at a time as customers demand, instead of a printing a large number of books. Unit cost is the same regardless of sales, but this is more affordable for writers wanting only a few books. These books are rarely stocked by bookstores because they are often non-returnable.

See our market listing for book publishers. Most are traditional.

See Preditors & Editors for information on any company whose options you are considering.
  Specific Genre  (top)
 
  Links to Writing & Publishing Information (top)
 
NOTE: BUYER BEWARE on all Self-Publishing companies. Do your homework. A listing here DOES NOT mean we endorse these pages.
  Promote Your Book Yourself (top)
 
FIRST STEPS

If you have not started one already, begin a database of all your contacts including family and friends. Use this list when announcing a new book, offering specials, and asking for prayer in the difficult spots!

Word of mouth is a great sales tool. Talk about your book!

Express thankfulness to booksellers. Go overboard. You need them!

LINKS FOR MARKETING YOUR BOOK (be cautious, these are not tested for integrity, just listed here)

  • Artist First Radio - seeking authors for interviews!

  • Book Marketing

  • Book Promotion Newsletter -  a biweekly newsletter with tips, reviews and interviews, place to sound off on issues. Fee for new editions, but each is archived three months after publication and then freely accessible.

  • Brady Magazine - Looking for advice on the business side of writing? Brady Magazine has tips on marketing and publicity, along with a free markets newsletter.

  • Christian Storyteller -  As advertised, it’s a nonprofit website of Christian authors for Christian authors by Christian authors. The site highlights up-and-coming authors and books, and offers marketing seminars on cruises—what’s not to like about that?

  • Market It Right - site connects clients with vendors

  • Outcry Magazine - book promotion and reviews

WHERE CAN I GET MY BOOK REVIEWED ONLINE?

GETTING YOUR BOOK IN LIBRARIES

The Public Lending Right (PLR) Commission - distributes annual payments to Canadian authors for the presence of their books in Canadian public libraries. Registration period is 15 February to 1 May. Registrations postmarked later than the deadline will NOT be accepted. Go to this site to get a registration form during this period. If you are not already registered, you can request an e-mail notice when the registration forms are available on this website.

Contact a Library Services Centre to register the books. For the Canadian Library Service Centre, click here. Ask you local librarian for the name of others that they use, such as a provincial service.

Visit libraries everywhere you can. Prepare some publicity to leave with them, such as a "one sheet" that describes your book(s). Try to contact the main librarian. They might want a copy on the spot, so have some with you, but most need to go through their system to order books.

Remember who is interested. Re-visit them when your next book comes out.

Try sending promotional information to denominational church libraries, and don't forget the university or schools. if you are a published alumni, they may be very interested. It not, try sending an email and perhaps a copy to the professor who works in whatever discipline relates to your book.

OTHER HELP
  Self Publishing (top)
 
  • Check out the interest in the market for your topic. If so, what does your book offer that no other book offers?
  • Know what you are writing about. Be an expert in your topic.
  • Unless you are trained in design and layout, have a professional design your book. It will be worth it.
  • Pay someone to edit it. This will also be worth it.
  • When it comes to getting it published, decide if print-on-demand is the route to take. Can you afford to have boxes of books sitting in your basement?
  • Show around for a publisher. Check references. Look at books each company has already done. Be picky. See our publisher links.
  • Be prepared to do almost 100% of the marketing. Learn how.
  • Make it available through wholesale distributors, online bookstores, and any other way that will work for you. Be creative and aggressive.

Tips from an InScribe Member

  • Don't do it unless you have a ready-made platform - that is, if you speak, have a regular column or some other audience that already knows your work and will be willing to buy your book. Fiction is much harder to sell than nonfiction.
  • Be very careful about the company you choose and especially about having it done in the US. Books can be tricky to get across the border and shipping if very expensive. Some companies are not very ethical and you have to read the fine print carefully.
  • Depending on the project, I would almost always choose type set rather than POD. The quality is just a lot better. Even then, know that a lot of bookstores will not handle them unless you have a distributor and that's hard to find, especially in Canada.
  • Be prepared to do everything yourself. As has been said, make sure the ms. has been well edited before it's sent in. Have a marketing strategy and be prepared to work at it.
  • Make sure you spend the money on a good cover - the cover of my first book is really poor and I regretted jumping too fast to get it out before Christmas.  – Marcia Laycock
OTHER RESOURCES FOR SELF-PUBLISHING

  • A Book of One's Own: Turning your family history, children's story, cookbook, poetry, diary or novel into a book, Susan Yates and Greg Ioannou. McClelland & Stewart, 1999. ISBN 0-7710-9063-3

  • Pod-dy Mouth: blog about POD and self-publishing
   
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