Does Anyone Know Of A Good Publisher

[Sutcliffe Simone]

Who is willing to look at new work - A friend of mine has just finished
a book and doesn't know where to send her work to get an opinion, any
help would be much appreciated

[Bill]

Get the Writers and Artists Year Book and it will tell you everything.
Unless the book is from an established author you will find very few
publishers who will even look at it. Get an agent who specialises in the
book subject who will be able to advise you on your prospects and submit the
manuscript to the most promising place. A good agent will also be able to
steer you through contracts (an absolute minefield). Agents can be found in
the above book, available in most libraries, or an aspiring author should
have her own copy.

Be VERY cautious about companies who are effusive in their praise, and offer
to publish if your friend puts some money up front. These companies are a
total rip off, and it's known as vanity publishing. You pay handsomely for
the privilege of seeing your work in print. If the work has merit, you
don't pay anything, except to your agent. The publisher will finance the
whole operation. Walk away from anyone who asks for money up front.

Good luck

Bill

Sutcliffe Simone <simone.s...@marshalls.co.uk> wrote in message
news:BA903CEDDC41D311BB5...@postoffice.localnet...

[abby]

Hey Bill
Does that mean you're a writer then?
I was told to stay away form agents, until the very last minute, when you've
had no luck. What's you opinion on that?
"Bill" <bil...@wpreston.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8k4rka$o9d$1...@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...

[Bill]

Some agents are not very nice, I admit. Some agents are superb. Agents
charge you money which is not very nice, no-one likes paying money.
Unfortunately, unless your friends book is absolutely something spectacular,
an agent is the best way of getting an honest opinion of her chances of
publication, and of placing it with the best publisher.

Put it this way. How many publishers are there in the UK? In what subjects
do they specialise in? Which publishers are seeking new works? Which
publishers will consider an unknown quantity? How do you negotiate the best
contract to cover reprints, film rights (just in case), worldwide rights,
magazines etc? If you or your friend can answer all these questions then
you don't need an agent. If you can't answer the questions, you do.

It's your choice. I could be wrong, and the book will get published at the
first try, it has been known. It has been known rarely. Get the Yearbook
and study it carefully before even thinking about submitting the work. It is
the best investment after a pen an aspiring writer can make.

Bill

abby <abby...@hudsonf.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8k4rqi$p5d$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...

[abby]

Well, I know Simone was talking about another friend, but my book, is
absolutley spectacular...........well........my mum says so anyway......

"Bill" <bil...@wpreston.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message

news:8k4sqt$oqv$1...@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...

[Bill]

I look forward to reading it.

Bill

abby <abby...@hudsonf.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message

news:8k4t5t$pqo$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...