And now…the continuation of that publishing research
Let’s forge ahead with tips on finding that right publishing company for your work.
If you decide to query, pay special attention to the response you receive if it’s via e-mail. Is correct grammar and punctuation used? Are the sentences clear and concise?
What type of distribution is offered for its books? Are the book only sold through its website? If it’s a paperback book, is distribution available through national wholesalers like Ingram or Baker & Taylor? Have you seen any of their books on bookstore shelves? If not, can you place an order for one in a major chain bookstore?
Purchase two or three of the publisher’s books in different genres and inspect for quality. (Alternatively, if the books are in paperback, you should be able to check them out from your local library.) Are the covers clear and crisp? Are they error-free? Is the alignment consistent within the pages of the book? Is this a book you would be proud to have your name on?
What about the prices? Are they reasonable? Are they competitive in today’s market? Do keep in mind that non-fiction books are generally higher-priced than fiction.
Has the publisher lost many authors over the past six months to a year? In case of a smaller publisher, if authors are leaving the company like rats off a sinking ship, there is definite cause for concern. While a company cannot possibly please all of its authors, it should certainly not be losing authors left and right. The right kind of publishing company will attempt to resolve any issues and to make the author want to stay.
You can discover this information, though, it might take some more in-depth research. For larger publishers, this probably won’t be too big of a concern, but for smaller publishers, you need to know, if there is a mass exodus, why it’s happening.
You might also want to check the county in which the company is located for current lawsuits. All lawsuits are matters of public record and are usually accessible by county records. First, you will need to locate the company address which should be available on the website. It’s easy enough to find the county after that. Then a quick search of the county Clerk of Court’s website or a call will provide the answer to this question. Also check the Secretary of State if the company is an LLC or incorporated. You also might want to check the Better Business Bureau as well. Not all publishers are listed with the BBB, but it never hurts to double-check.
How does the company market itself? You should know, in advance, what the company does to market itself. A quick way is to Google its name. Has the company been interviewed? Do they advertise? Hold sales? Have any of their books been reviewed by reputable review sites? What does the company do to promote both its authors and its books? Though it is not the publisher’s sole responsibility to promote one single author, it should actively market its entire catalog. Another question you can ask their authors: How much participation does the publisher give you in your marketing endeavors? Do they offer tips? Provide avenues you might not be aware of? What do they do to help you promote?
Have there been many customer service complaints? This is especially 
important if the company is an e-publisher. Again, this is another bit of information which might take some research, but the last thing you want is to tie yourself to a publisher which clearly has no customer service skills. If you’re members of any groups, you can post a question asking if anyone has purchased a book from that publisher and his/her comments about the purchase.
Customer complaints can range from editing to inability to purchase the book. Weigh the complaints carefully. Another option is to buy a copy of the book yourself to see how smoothly the transaction goes if it’s an online publisher.
These are just few of the many ways to make sure you find the right publisher. Just pay attention, do your homework, and enter into any publishing relationship armed with knowledge!
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