June 10, 2004

The process of getting published takes a thick skin (there's a lot of rejection), a bunch of money (mailing manuscripts requires postage) and a wagonload of patience.

But don't let that discourage you. I'll always remember getting published for the first time by a cool 'zine called Lobster Tendencies, which I bought at City Lights bookstore. It's a rare thrill to see one's work in print, and even more fun to see it for sale in a cool bookstore. Here are a few hopefully helpful publishing tips from a slightly cranky literary publisher.

Getting published
Always read a publication first before submitting your work. Learn about the editorial viewpoint and specific areas of interest. Guidebooks like the "CLMP Directory of Literary Magazines and Presses" and magazines like Poets & Writers list calls for submission, grants, awards, and contests (which usually charge a $15-$25 "reading fee" to enter). Websites with good information include www.pw.org/ and www.writenews.com/.

If you're set on being published by the major New York commercial houses, you'll need an agent. Unless your work has appeared in the New Yorker, major book publishers have no interest in unsolicited poetry manuscripts or unagented, unsolicited fiction. It may be years before you find an agent for your work, another several years before you find out if anyone's interested in publishing it, and then another couple of years before it sees print. Agents usually take 15 percent of the manuscript's selling price. First books often garner a $5,000-$10,000 advance against royalties from NY houses, more if there's a bidding war. Get the biggest advance you can, because often that's all that you'll get paid, unless sub-rights like translations or film options are sold.

Literary agents are listed in the gargantuan industry tome Literary Market Place (www.literarymarketplace.com/). The Association of Authors' Representatives website has a downloadable agent directory at www.aar-online.org/. Smaller indie presses offer advances of $1,000 or less, but may pay royalties of six to eight percent based on actual sales. Often they pay in free copies. On the positive side, indie presses may keep your title in print far longer than major houses that will have your beloved book on the $2.98 table at Barnes & Noble within two years of its publication. Learn more about all this and more (copyrights, contracts, etc.) from the National Writers Union, www.nwu.org/, and the Authors Guild, www.authorsguild.org/.

Regardless of who you're sending writing to, follow these handy rules:

• Get -- and follow -- the publisher's writers' guidelines (by mail or online).
• Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of work and/or reply.
• Make clear to editors whether or not the manuscript should be returned.
• Run the spellcheck -- and have someone else do quick proofread before mailing.
• Never send the only copy of your work.
• Include a cover letter about yourself, your publishing history and any marketing ideas. Mention if you've read the publication.
• Include contact info on every page, unless otherwise stated in the guidelines.
• Check policies on simultaneous submissions to other publishers, and whether submissions via email or fax are acceptable.
• Do not call or email the publication regarding your submission. Be patient.
• Never pay a publisher to print your books. But do pay a printer -- preferably a book manufacturer -- to print your books.