Lots of people have asked me how they should go about finding a publisher for their own projects, and this is what I usually say. . . (Well, first I should note that I mentioned the self-publishing route a little while back. I meant to go into more detail, but didn’t.) Anyway, if you think you have a good book or two in you and you’d like to be published by a traditional house, here are my two cents.

First, you aren’t really looking for a publisher. What you actually need is an agent who will present your proposal to his or her stable of editors. The best way to find an agent who would fit well with your voice and content is to study books already on the market that are similar to your project in subject, tone, and presentation. Check out the authors’ acknowledgements sections for the names of their respective agents. Then find those agents and contact them directly with your credentials and book proposal.

Writing a good book proposal is its own animal altogether. 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published & 14 Reasons Why It Just Might and Think Like Your Editor are said to be good titles worth looking into, for what it’s worth.

 –S.