How does one present a book to a publisher?

Question

What steps does one take?

Do you have to complete it before submitting the concept?

Tell all, oh great Yahoo readers!

Answer 1

If your book is fiction it should be absolutely complete. If it's non-fiction you usually send in a book proposal

A novel should have been polished until it shines. All loose ends should have been tied, all grammar corrected.

As for the rest, here is copy of my previous answer on the same subject:-

In order to prevent your work been thrown onto the slush-pile it must be presented in the most professional way you can. See my bog http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com and look for 'submission guidelines' in the right-hand column 'search by category' to get the standard way to present.

There is no guarantee they will read it even then, but without, it will be dismissed out of hand.

It costs nothing to publish through conventional publishing houses. If anyone asks for money, it's a scam - back away.

You'll find a list of reputable publishers and agents in http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ Just pick one to suit your genre. Not all publishing houses in the UK require agented submissions, check the list to be sure. I understand publishers in the USA generally require you to use an agent.

When you've selected a publisher, send a short, polite, letter of enquiry.

Before you send the letter of inquiry, be absolutely certain you've tied all loose ends and make sure you've followed industry standards for presentation.

Edit out ALL unnecessary pronouns and adverbs - nothing screams amateur more than overblown descriptions. Most new writers feel they need to give full descriptions of everything in the book. DON'T. Sometimes what's left out says more than what's in....

When you've cut, cut, and cut; when you've polished it until it glistens, write the letter to your chosen publisher. Explain any experience you may have, the genre of the work, the word-count, and present a VERY short synopsis of about 100 words (see book blurbs for examples). Only present a full synopsis IF the publishing house asks you to submit the first three chapters.

In terms of an agent - it's almost as difficult to gain acceptance with a reputable agent as a publishing house. You must go through the same process.

Join a writers circle such as http://www.mywriterscircle.com/ to see what other professionals think of your work - it's free and helpful. The critiques are useful and generally honest - be warned. The forums are friendly and informative. I think you'll enjoy it.

Hope this covers the things you wanted.

Anthony James Barnett - author

Answer 2

I have nothing to add to the first two, the young woman and Anthonyj gave great advice.  I would stress GET AN AGENT!!!!! and make sure the if it's fiction as anthonyj said polish it until it shines!!!!!  an agent does two things once if he or she likes your work they would make suggestions on how to make it better.  You have a much better idea on how to proceed as a writer with an agent.

Answer 3

No, you don't have to complete it, but you should be close to completing it, since if the publisher buys it, you sign a contract where you promise to have it done in X number of months (usually a year or a year and a half.) If you're not done, most authors submit a book proposal--it has a specific format, which you can look up online.

If you're doing this without an agent, you're in for a tough time. Some publishers literally throw away unsolicited manuscripts. If not, it goes into the 'slush pile'--a pile of unsolicited manuscripts--which the assistant editors read when they have a chance. Statistically, it's very rare to get published from the slush pile.

Best bet: get an agent. Agents have special relationships with editors at publishing houses. If the agent sends in your manuscript, the editor will be much more likely to look at it.

If you do send it in unsolicited, my one piece of advice is to address it directly to a certain editor. This ups your chances of being read. It can be hard to find who editors are at certain houses, but you might be able to find it with some sleuthing (online, and also if you look in books in the acknowledgments section, the author often thanks their editor.)

Good luck!