Just how DO I publish my book?

Are you looking to get into publishing but don’t know where to start? Are you wanting to submit your latest manuscript and are unsure what the role of a publisher really is?

We are here to help.

At Luath Press, we strive to un-blur the lines around the publishing industry. In this blog, we will answer some of your FAQs about publishing a book.

Please note that other publishers may differ. We have written this blog following our own guidelines, which you can also read here.

How do I get a book published?

There are primarily two routes: traditional publishing and self-publishing.

Traditional publishing is with a publishing house, like us, and/or with a literary agent who will represent your book and pitch it on your behalf to publishing houses. Traditional publishing offers the support of the publishing house including marketing, editing, printing and distribution services.

Self-publishing involves handling all aspects of publication yourself from typesetting to editing to distribution.

Both routes have their positives and negatives. At the end of the day, your decision will rely on your goals, resources and preferences.

How do I find a publisher?

Finding the right home for your book is crucial. Start by researching publishers who specialise in your chosen genre. You won’t sell your couch to a car dealership; books are no different. You may love a certain publishing house, but it turns out they only publish fantasy books, and you are trying to publish poetry. Look through a publisher's catalogue or website to get an idea of what they publish.

Your book is your pride and joy, you need to make sure you know where it is going.

Do you want to go with an indie publisher – a publisher who operates independently and is not part of a larger corporation? Or do you want to go with one of the bigger publishing houses (note, that you will probably need a literary agent to do so)?

Do I need a literary agent?

As we have now mentioned a couple of times, it is now time to address the elephant in the room. Whilst literary agents are not strictly necessary, having one can greatly increase your chances of getting traditionally published. They have industry connections and knowledge that could greatly help negotiate contracts and navigate the publishing process.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, research who represents your favourite authors or who represents key authors in the genre you are working in. You can find lots of resources online that list who is looking for new writers and who isn’t.

At Luath Press, whilst a couple of our authors do have literary agents, this is not a rule for you to submit with us. We welcome debut authors and those well-established in the industry.

What should I include in my submission?

READ A PUBLISHER’S SUBMISSION GUIDELINES!

You must look through the publisher’s website to know if:

1.      They are currently accepting submissions.

2.      If they are only accepting certain submissions.

3.      If you need a literary agent to submit to them.

4.      What they publishers are looking for with your manuscript (what do you have to send?)

At Luath Press, we only accept physical submissions. As an independent publisher, this allows us to efficiently work through the manuscripts easier than losing them to the online world.

 We ask that you please send:

·         A clear synopsis of up to 250 words

·         Which genre you would categorise it as (use our website as a guide)

·         Sample chapters or a full manuscript

·         A short biography

·         A pre-paid addressed envelope large enough for your manuscript to be returned, should it be unsuccessful.

For more information, see here.

How much does it cost to publish a book?

‘How much will it cost me to publish my book with you?’ Is a question we are commonly asked. Please note that traditional publishers should not be asking for upfront costs as we cover the editing, design, printing and distribution expenses. We have seen online complaints on forums of this, usually resulting in a scam. Always search who you are communicating with – do they have social media, what have they published before, do they have any Amazon reviews, how is their website on Trustpilot?

What is an ISBN and do I need one?

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier for your book. It’s required for print and digital books if you plan to distribute your book through channels such as bookstores or online retailers.

At Luath Press we buy in our ISBNs in batches and assign them to our upcoming titles as they come up.

Self-publishing platforms often provide ISBNs or allow you to purchase them.

How long does it take for a book to be published?

The timeline of a book getting published varies on the publishing path you chose and other factors, such as genre, market demand and the quality of your manuscript.

Traditional publishing can take anywhere from several months to several years. A good note to keep in mind is that if the publisher states on the submission guidelines how long it will take for them to get back to you – ie if you submit in February with a publication date in mind for May, but the publisher states it can take several months for them to decide on the status of your manuscript, it is unlikely that your May deadline will be met. It is also useful to note that we work on a 3-4 month notice with the bookselling industry – we must let them know of our new titles 3-4 months before they are published.

Self-publishing typically takes less time, as you have more control over the process, but it will still require you to do all the work yourself.

How do I market my book?

An important thing to remember is that whilst a publisher will market your book through their own channels, you should also be utilizing your tools. At the end of the day, this book should be something you are passionate about. You should want to be able to share it far and wide.

As a publisher who publishes 30-40 new titles a year, and with a current backlist of over 800 titles, you can understand that we may not be able to focus on your book every single day. However, we do work closely with our authors to come up with social media strategies, media outlets, events and other ways to get the book spread as far as possible.

We recommend setting up your author's website and social media handles – if you haven’t already. Since COVID, we have seen a massive increase in communities such as Bookstagram (Books on Instagram) and BookTok (Books on TikTok). Certain books may do better on certain websites – i.e. BookTok is currently obsessed with Romantasy and YA books, this means that your political biography may not be as easily picked up there as it would be on Twitter.

Creating these accounts also allows you to build a dedicated following who are not only interested in your writing but also you and will likely attend any book signing events, talks and even get excited for your next book.