The routes to having a book accepted for publication by a small press can be distilled into the four categories which are summarized and discussed below:

1. Author Queries Publisher
2. Publisher Solicits Author
3. Literary Contests
4. Grants and Awards

Many small presses are "non profit," in fact if not in official tax classification. They are "labors of love" owned and run by a small staff or even a single person who acts as both publisher and editor. The two primary factors considered by a small press publisher when choosing a manuscript for publication are profit/loss and literary merit. Few are the publishers who can afford to base their decisions solely on merit (or what they like--merit being in the eye of the editor).

( 1.)  Author Queries Publisher--
This is the most common manner of seeking small press publication, though chances of acceptance are statistically low.  Most small presses have more books waiting to be published than their time or financial resources will allow.  In addition, small presses often have a narrow focus, either in interest or geography.  When the writer submits, without invitation, a query letter with a manuscript or writing sample to such a publisher, they become one of a throng who wait and hope with little chance of success.  However, should one adopt this route, there are several factors to be considered prior to approaching the publisher.
( A ) The author must be aware of what types of books particular presses are seeking and therefore must be a reader of these books. It makes little sense for authors to submit to a publisher who is not interested in their style or genre of writing.
( B ) The author must be aware of what is wanted or expected from publication and know what he is willing to negotiate or compromise. Among the negotiable points are payment, editorial work, production and printing, promotion and distribution, and rights and ownership. Payment varies widely and may consist of copies, money, royalties, or combinations thereof.  Considering the lack of profit to be realized in literary publishing, an author may have to ignore financial reward and settle for the honor of being published along with the possibility that publication furthers their career.

Query Letter--
In considering a manuscript a publisher will want to know several things; the author must address these points in any query letter.
( A ) "How large" and "what type" of audience does an author have? A poet, short story writer, or first-time author who wishes to have a book published ought to be familiar with literary magazines and have numerous publications in them. This provides vital information to the potential publisher: (1) the venue in which the writer has appeared lets the publisher know others' opinions of the writer's work, and (2), numerous magazine publications insure that the writer is known by the people who may purchase the published book.
( B ) The publisher will want to estimate the number of books he can expect to sell. Several factors can be used to make such an estimate:  (1) The author's past history of previous books published, the number sold. (2) The author's willingness and ability to make public appearances -- readings, book fairs, etc. (3) Is the author a "public figure," or perhaps a professor with students who will buy the book, or someone who conducts numerous literary workshops? Authors must be willing to assist in promoting their own work (endlessly and often shamelessly) -- the small presses have little of the time and financial resources required for extensive promotional efforts, thus sales depend mostly on the author's efforts and reputation.
( C )  Authors who have special credentials or are experts in the field in which they are writing should detail this for the editor.
( D ) Authors should tell an editor what aspects of their book are unique, or how the books approaches topics in a unique manner.
( E )  Authors should tell an editor why they think it is important for their work to reach the public, but should not hype its literary merit -- the editor will decide this upon reading it.

( 2.) Publisher Solicits Author
In my experience, this is a common avenue to small press book publication.  If one is lucky enough, and writes well enough, to have this happen no further comment is necessary.

OK, maybe a couple of comments. Authors can improve their chances of publication by this route by cultivating associations with small presses and their editors. And I certainly do not mean "brown nosing," but if you want to resort to that tactic, it's your business.  It will be painfully obvious what you're doing.  Small presses often publish literary magazines as well as books. One who subscribes to, and is published in, a particular  magazine stands a better chance of book publication with that press, simply because the press has grown to appreciate the writer's work.

( 3.) Literary Contests
Many small presses, literary magazines, or other organizations sponsor legitimate writing contests with awards of book publication and/or money.  A writer seeking publication should not neglect these; they may be the writer's best opportunity. Such contests generally benefit their sponsoring organization in several ways: ( A ) contest entry (or "handling") fees supply funds which pay the awards and may be applied to other literary projects. ( B ) Awards of money and publication insure that large numbers of high quality submissions from serious writers are received by the publisher.  ( C ) The fact that entry fees pay for book publication allows the publisher to focus his attention on literary merit rather than profit/loss. This is, of course, an advantage for the superior writer. Many legitimate contests have a small entry fee ($5 to $20 up front) and publish the contest winner or winners' books with no further investment from the author.
     
Beware of organizations or "publishers" who solicit you for money after you've entered their "free" contests -- the publishing (printing) cost may be wildly inflated. If you are going to pay to publish your own book, check out a few of your local print shops, or investigate print-on-demand printing services (which should charge you no more than about $3 each for a 100 page book).  Remember, if you are going to pay for the printing, then YOU are the publisher.
     
( 4.) Grants and Awards
A number of organizations or government arts agencies award funds to either authors or publishers for specific book projects. These awards may be based on literary merit or other factors.  (See the information in column 2)

Charlie Hughes is an analytical chemist, poet, writer of short stories, and editor/owner of  Wind Publications.

Where to Find Information on Contests, Grants and Awards, and Small Presses:

One of the best places to find information regarding legitimate competitions in fiction and poetry is Poets & Writers Magazine in their Grants & Awards and
Contest Deadlines , either the print or web versions.

Take a look at the books Poets Market, Writers Market, or Novel and Short Story Writer's Market where you'll find publishers' wants and needs, as well as a multitude of literary magazines to which you may submit your work.

  Don't fail to check out the Dustbooks' directories and reference books.

Nebraska Center for Writers maintains a valuable website with publication and awards information.

Or search the web with Yahoo or other search engines such as Google or Metacrawler for poetry, fiction, small press, and chapbooks.

Click here if you'd like to offer suggestions for additions to this list of references? Or if you have questions about anything stated here?




Copyright 1999 Wind Publications