Choices a Writer Must Address

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1. Pick a genre: adult fiction; adult nonfiction; children’s fiction and children’s nonfiction

2.     Length of manuscript
      Short stories: 30 double-spaced manuscript pages
      Novellas: 30 to 150 double-spaced manuscript pages
      Novels: 250 to 450 double-spaced manuscript pages
      Nonfiction: varies

3. Category/genre/niche
The Book Industry Study Group publishes what is known as a BISAC list of categories that are standard within the book industry. You can obtain this list (BISAC Subject Headings) from www.bisg.org.

4. After writing the book, hire an editor. This is recommended whether you are self-publishing or seeking an agent or publisher. There are many independent editors. If you sell the rights to your book to a publisher, the manuscript will also be edited in-house. Regardless, you should work with an editor before submitting your book to an agent or publisher.

5. After the manuscript is in tip-top shape the following must be addressed:

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SELF-PUBLISH:

1. What will be the name of your publishing company?

2. You will need to apply for an ISBN log so that you can sell your books through retailers.

3. How will your books be sold? By you; by a wholesaler; by a distributor?

4. You must develop a marketing plan to each of your markets: readers; wholesalers; bookstores; etc.

5. What price will your book be?

6. What discount will you offer?

7. How will you physically handle the ordering and shipping process?

8. What software will you use for bookkeeping and what will the terms be?

9. Will you accept returns?

10. Will you sell internationally, nationally, regionally, statewide or locally?

11. Who will you hire to design your book?

12. How will the book be printed? Web, sheetfed, digital, or print on demand. Or, as ebook only?

13. How many books will you print? 5,000; 3000; 1500; under 500 (known as a short run) or print on demand (known as POD)

14. How will you tell your market about your book?

15. What pub date will you establish for your book?

16. Will you be publishing books by other authors?

17. How will you address the issue of self-publication?

IF YOU ARE GOING TO SEEK PUBLICATION

1. The market for your manuscript will be, at this point, agents and/or publishers. Are you going to seek and agent or a publisher?

2. You will need to research who the most likely agents or publishers are for your book.

3. Will you send out multiple submissions?

4. You will need to assemble your materials for submission. This involves two stages:
Stage 1: A query letter; a synopsis; and, for non-fiction, your qualifications to write the book
Stage 2: after receiving the go-ahead.... a cover letter and the first chapter and two additional chapters, and the information found in the Author’s Marketing Input Sheet.
Note: For nonfiction, your manuscript does not need to be completed. For fiction, your manuscript must be completed.

What is manuscript form?

Double –space your work. It should be typed in 12-pt type, Times Roman typeface with one inch margins on each side. There must be a header on each page, with the title and your name in the top lef-hand corner and consecutive and continuous page numbering in the top right-hand corner.

Do not bind or staple your proposal. It is okay to put a rubber band around it.

Do not “typeset” it in MS Word.

Do not design a cover.

Do not send illustrations.

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A basic list of genres

FICTION

romance (gothic, traditional, Native American, Western, historical, time travel, futuristic, fantasy, vampire and paranormal)

mysteries and crime novels (feature an amateur sleuth or an experienced PI)

thrillers and suspense novels (The protagonist is constantly in danger)

horror (taking everyday things and magnifying them, exposing our fears)

science fiction and fantasy (including paranormal)

historical novels

literary fiction (characters are the focus here)

commercial fiction (plot-driven)

Children’s Books and Young Adult

NONFICTION

Narrative Nonfiction (character-driven nonfiction having a structure that echoes fiction)

Biography

Memoirs

How-to Books

Reference Books

Cookbooks

Travel Books

Pop Culture

Humor

Children’s Books and Young Adult

For further info consult “Writer’s Market” or Literary Market Place (LMP)