Advice Page

Distributors are interested in publishing programs, not individual books.

Publishers with only one or two books or one or two authors generally don’t interest us. We like publishers who can develop a publishing program that can sustain a loyal base of readers who will keep coming back for more but who are not tied to a single author.

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The books should have a cohesive theme.

You should be able to describe this theme in 20 words or less. You have to know who you are before a distributor can know. Consortium recently issued a press release seeking publishers that specialise in very specific areas: Socially Conscious and Non-Traditional Business and Management... Titles Published for or Concerning Communities and People of Colour... Non-Traditional Cooking and Lifestyles.

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Your theme should be carefully thought out and well supported over time.

You and/or your authors should be prepared to spend money on marketing and publicity and should have a platform for helping to get the books out into the marketplace. A good book publicity firm can help package an author’s message in an innovative way, but even an ’amateur’ with good writing skills and relentless dedication can keep a message in front of the press.

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Your authors must be deeply involved in marketing their books.

Obviously, you, the publisher, cannot be expected to do it all. Seek out authors who are committed to getting their books in the hands of readers. If an author is unwilling or unable to do his or her part or seems unenthusiastic about it think twice before you align with him or her.

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Your books must be high quality in every respect.

Clichés aside, book buyers and readers do judge books by their covers. Make sure yours are eye-catching and professionally designed. And it goes without saying that what’s inside must be compelling, well written, and well edited. The price, the look, the 'feel'... all are important. Trust your gut, but do the research to find out what works and what doesn’t.

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Be sure you have the financial and other resources necessary to play in the big leagues.

You must be organized to work with a distributor, paying attention to tight timetables, industry-wide publishing seasons, data management, and a host of other details. If you publish well-written, well-designed, salable titles, you can practice your craft and succeed financially.

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