Question: How Do I Find a Legit Small Press?
A novelist wrote in wondering how to find a legit small press to publish her book: "I don't want to self-publish; I want a real publishing company to publish my book and help me promote it. I have been reading about publishing companies and came across one site that listed publishing companies they felt were no good. Another site suggested going to the library and looking at what kind of books a press publishes. I have also googled publishing companies online. Is there a directory for reputable publishing companies?"
Answer: You might start with Writer's Market, which is the best source I know of for publishing information. However, if you're interested in publishing with a major press, or at least starting there, you might consider getting an agent first. (For more on this, read an interview with a
HarperCollins editor.) If you mainly want a respectable press and don't care about the size (or suspect your book might fit better at a small press), independent presses are a great option. Some good are profiled here, but you can also find them in Writer's Market. Poets and Writers Magazine also publishes regular articles on small and indie presses. Back issues should be available at your library. And I agree that it's a good idea to check out their site and their books before you submit, to make sure you'll be proud of the result.
Do you have other ideas for researching presses? What has worked for you? Do you have an opinion about self-publishing? Share your experiences and advice in the comments section.
