Damn Good Advice from a Damm Good Publisher


Damn Good Advice from a Damm GoodPublisher

By Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Managing Editor, Kegedonce Press

First Printed in Spirit Magazine, Spring 2007

 

  1. Research before you approach any publisher to ensure that your manuscript fits their publishing mandate. If you don’t, you’ll waste a LOT of time – yours and the publisher’s too. We hate that.
  2. Get your manuscript in the best possible shape. When you finish it, set it aside for at least a week then go back and edit.
  3. Edit – revise. Edit – revise. Repeat.
  4. When you’ve finished editing it, proofread it.
  5. When you’ve finished proofreading it, get someone else to proofread it. Often a fresh set of eyes will notice mistakes and typos that you missed.
  6. Prepare a brief description and synopsis of the manuscript.
  7. Select your top 3 publishers and find out as much as you can about their mandates, check their publishing lists to see who and what they’re publishing, and go to the library or bookstore to look at samples of their books.
  8. After careful consideration, select the publisher you believe is best suited to your manuscript and most likely to publish it.
  9. Prepare a query letter introducing yourself and your manuscript. Gear it to that publisher.
  10. Select a short sample of your work that will best demonstrate your abilities, the style of the manuscript, and that will capture the interest of the editor.
  11. Prepare a short, relevant bio. Again, gear it to the publisher’s mandate and don’t include irrelevant information. For example, don’t include your qualifications as a tracker unless your manuscript is about tracking or wilderness survival or your main characters is a tracker.
  12. Send a professional looking package that includes the query letter, description/synopsis, excerpt, bio, and a SASE.
  13. No unsolicited manuscripts! This means do not send a complete manuscript to any publisher unless you are asked to do so.
  14. Remember: simultaneous submissions are unacceptable! (“Simultaneous submissions” means sending the manuscript to more than one publisher at a time. Publishers will stop looking at your manuscript if they find out you’ve also submitted it elsewhere or are talking to other publishers – and they won’t be happy about it since they have to devote a lot of time and precious resources to reviewing and considering a manuscript.)
  15. After 3 or 4 months it’s acceptable to contact the publisher for a response. Before that, you’re basically being a pest and will diminish interest in the manuscript because the publisher may be concerned (rightly) that you don’t understand the process. This could make them fear (rightly or wrongly) that you will be high maintenance. If they do, your manuscript will quickly hit the slush pile.
  16. If you feel that the publisher is taking too long, contact them to inquire. If you’re still not satisfied, officially withdraw the manuscript from their consideration. Then send it to the next publisher on your list. Keep in mind that most publishers take 3-6 months to respond.
  17. Read your publishing contract and be sure you understand it before you sign it. I generally advise authors not to give up copyright to any of their work. Also, pay attention to clauses about online postings, e-publishing, and new formats. Make sure you’re being adequately compensated for your work in all of its forms.
  18. If your manuscript is accepted, be open to the editing process. Be willing to think about and make well considered changes but never forget that you know your manuscript better than anyone. It’s your job to maintain the integrity of the piece.
  19. Be prepared to get out there actively promoting your book. Take the initiative. Your publisher can’t, and won’t, do it all. Books don’t fly off the shelves while you sit at home.
  20. Have fun, work hard, keep a sense of humour, and above all, write because you love it.