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Publishing Statistics
This is a graph and pie chart on the changes seen on publishing in 1992 and 2007.
Everything has increased since 1992 but the Publishing Services has seen the least amount in increase. General Books, meaning books unintended for educational use, have increase the most. The market for books has increased and it is a good time to try to get books published.
The disappointing facts on publishing
Over 750,000 manuscripts are written each year but less than 3% are published through a publishing company.
Everything has increased since 1992 but the Publishing Services has seen the least amount in increase. General Books, meaning books unintended for educational use, have increase the most. The market for books has increased and it is a good time to try to get books published.
The disappointing facts on publishing
Over 750,000 manuscripts are written each year but less than 3% are published through a publishing company.
According to Jim Hines' survey of 246 authors most first time published authors either:
1. Hired an agent
2. Went straight to a publisher
1/3 of authors had an undergraduate degree in English
1. Hired an agent
2. Went straight to a publisher
1/3 of authors had an undergraduate degree in English
Important Tips
Contracts
Contracts should be easy to read and understandable. Good agents will be able to decipher contracts and if you decide to self-publish, a lawyer may be able to help put the contract in simpler terms. Avoid companies that have a time period for keeping your book with the publishing company. There should be no penalties for withdrawing your book whenever you desire.You should be able to leave without penalty at any time. Watch for companies that pay a single dollar for the rights to your book.If it doesn't seem right then it probably isn't.
The Book
It needs to be formatted and edited more than once.
Don't forget to include a table of contents, a dedication page, a summary like you see on the back or inside cover of books, an short author biography, and any other materials you want included.
Make sure to register it with the United States Copyright Office to prevent any problems that could occur with copyright infringement.
Avoid straying too far from the common fonts. Use something like or close to Times New Roman, Bookman, and New Century Schoolbook. Even though a font may look good, people still prefer to read the more common types.
Know your audience that will be reading your book.
Publishers and Reviewers
The first 4 months are important for sales when dealing with a publisher. It can determine how long your book is on the shelf for sale. Marketing should start before the book is available for sale.
Make sure that when you send a book to be reviewed, it gets stamped that it is a review book. It should be stamped on the top of the book and on the outside cover. This way it doesn't get returned to a bookstore or you for a refund later on.
An excellent resource for publishing is the Writer's Market. It has suggestions on writing letters to publishers as well as lists of publishers. If there is one book you should get, it is this one.