You've written your manuscript and are ready to see it in print, but you don't know where to start looking for fiction publishers. With so many fiction publishing companies, it will take time to research the best markets.
Get your fingers ready, a notebook or note page handy, and start on the journey of discovery. Before you can start down the path of choosing a fiction house ready to publish, novel pointers include:
1. Focus on the traditional publishing route and target a large press.
2. Pursue small publishers: fiction houses that have a narrow focus and fewer clients.
3. Skip to the front of the line and self-publish through a vendor that focuses on fiction.
Search for fiction publishing companies
It would be nice to be able to go to one location, whether online, in a bookstore or at a library, and be able to find a list of publishing companies sorted by genre targeted to your needs. There are a couple of annual publications focused on fiction markets, but the data is outdated almost before it hits the shelves. The Web is a blessing in that data can be updated faster, but it still takes time to find what you need.
I recommend: The best resource to start your search for fiction publishers is
Duotrope's Digest. This free, donation-based resource is extensive, constantly growing, and current. It offers full details on small and large presses by genre including the length accepted, response time, and current needs of each press, among other details.
Piers Anthony's site is purely a labor of love to help writers who are seeking publication. He updates the site monthly.
Seek out small fiction presses
Small publishers of fiction are growing in number. Focus your efforts on small presses. Fiction writers who find a home with a small press have a great chance at a long publishing career. Because of their size and their inherent need to stay small, small fiction publishers may take more time to locate than a larger publisher, but responses are generally quick and more personal than from a big publishing house.
I recommend: eTreasures Publishing is a small press accepting manuscripts direct from the author. They publish in e-format and once sales reach over 100 books, they will print in traditional paperback if you aren't already under a print agreement.
Flux is a young adult fiction press accepting unsolicited and unagented manuscripts.
Consider an e-book fiction press
Book publishing isn't limited to paper-based books. E-books are as viable a market as traditional publishing, and some e-book presses can also print your novel traditionally. If you're seeking a faster route to publications, e-book publishing may be the answer for you.
I recommend: Wings ePress accepts fiction for children and adults. They work closely with authors and are quite supportive during the publication process. They publish e-books and traditional paperback.
Mundania Press publishes e-books and traditional books in genres such as mystery, young adult and science fiction. They accept submissions from new authors four months out of the year.
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