What are publishers looking for in a fantasy novel?

Question

What are publishers looking for in a fantasy novel?

Answer 1

A creative and unique novel. You can get a book called the Writers Market 2008 that tells what publishing companies are looking for what kind of book.  

Answer 2

Number one of any editor's list of requirements is:  Competent writing.

Very few books are blockbusters or genre-defining.  DIfferent publishers also focus on different sub-types of fantasy, e.g. del Rey/Ballantine publishers different kinds of fantasy than TOR.

See which is publishing the kinds of fantasy you like to read, then sit down and learn to outline but outling at least 2 or 3 of the newest books by them that you like the most.