Now you are visiting my site – Hoxa Harrier Books, and you have a plan to publish a book, I hope you will find the following information on traditional and self-publishing useful.*

If you choose to go down the self-publishing route, I am currently building a small database of specialists you will need and Ican provide a referral service. Please also note I am not offering a publishing package. There are several companies offering those on the internet.

I am based in Dorset and the links I can provide tend to be Dorset-based specialists wherever possible. I have included one or two who are not but only because I have used them and found their expertise invaluable.

The two main routes are via a Literary Agent or through a direct submission to a recognised publisher.

Literary Agent: There are many Literary Agents who deal with different genre of books from Sci-fi, Fantasy, Crime, Sagas, historical fiction, Romance and Children’s books (there are others). Most deal with one or perhaps two genres so it is important to know where your manuscript fits before approaching an agent.

An agent generally will ask you to submit (1) a synopsis of your book, (2) the first two to three chapters and a little about what you have written and had published. Note their response could take a little time as there are many writers trying to get published. Try one or two and be patient. If an agent sees potential to create a book, they will work with you to get your manuscript to a publishable stage. Many agents have a background working in a publishing company so have contacts and after helping you to tidy up your book, they submit to a publisher.

Submitting direct to a Publisher: If you submit direct to a bona fide publisher, similar information is asked for (see above). It isn’t normal for a publisher to ask for a full manuscript. The main publishers – MacMillan, Penquin Random, Hachette, Harper Collins, fortunately have offshoots, some of whom have an open window for submissions at certain times of the year.

If you are lucky enough to be accepted by a traditional publisher, it takes several months before they start work on your book. When they do start editing, you may well be asked to make amendments, change aspects, strengthen your plots et cetera. The process takes time but at the end of it and your book is published, you will receive royalties on the sales.

Be aware that getting a book published by a large publishing house, does not mean your book will sell. You only need to look at the stock of low-priced books in garden centres, HMV stores and small independent shops to see what publishers haven’t sold. You would not want to see your book marked down below its worth.

Self-publishing is becoming very popular and for some, it saves waiting to be accepted by an agent or publisher. To self-publish will give you control of your book in its entirety and that certainly has its advantages. However, you may need a loan or a fluid bank account to get your book through the vary processes necessary before you will have a hard copy in your hands!

Well-known authors have been known to start by self-publishing their book and were then noticed by a publisher. You could be one of the lucky ones.

Now that self-publishing has become so popular, new publishing companies have set up and advertise full packages on the internet. We used to call them Vanity publishers by that I mean, if you simply want to see your hard work evolve as a finished book, they will do that for you – but at a price. Austen McCauley, Novum, Spiffing, Amazon, Ingram Sparks, Grosvenor House, and Lulu are prominent in their advertising.

The above companies will edit your book, proof it, create a soft or hard cover and eventually you will have a book in your hands with your name on it as the author. The companies may offer a one-price package which looks a good offer but how many words and pages does that price cover? How many sessions of editing are involved and included in the price? There are countless stories out there of people paying well over a £1000 to get their book published. Be aware of the small print. It is usual for those offering a self-publishing package to have another £50, £250 slipped in here and there, for extras. A standard novel is circa 100,000 to 125,000 words and packages start at £995.

Added to that the marketing they offer to sell your book is limited, unlike being with a traditional publisher.

If you are considering self-publishing, perhaps you could take control of the process yourself. The steps you will need to take are listed here.