Getting a publisher to accept your manuscript might feel next to impossible, but you can do it with the right strategy. First, you must know how to find a publisher. Then, you’ll have to look at how that publisher decides which manuscripts to accept and edit accordingly. In this blog, you’ll discover how publishers decide which children’s book manuscripts to accept so you can boost your chances of getting a publishing deal.
How Publishers Decide Which Children’s Book Manuscripts to Accept
Project Availability
Before you can even consider submitting to a traditional publisher, you must ensure manuscript submissions are open. Since traditional publishing is a big time and financial investment for the publisher, they can only accept a limited number of submissions. This is why the first step in how publishers decide which manuscripts to accept is knowing whether they can accept any from the start.
Adherence to Submission Requirements
Publishers have specific criteria that manuscripts must meet to be considered for publication. These criteria may include word count, genre specifications, and adherence to submission guidelines (e.g., document formatting). Another method of how publishers decide which submissions to accept is to evaluate whether the manuscript aligns with these requirements. Adhering to these rules will ensure your story stands a better chance of making it through the initial screening process.
Matching Their Niche
Every publishing house has its unique identity and caters to a specific readership. Manuscripts that align with the publisher's niche and target audience are more likely to be well-received, which is a huge part of how publishers decide which stories to publish. They’ll often seek manuscripts that fit seamlessly into their catalogue, complementing their existing titles and reflecting their brand.
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Anticipated Sales
Publishing is a business, and like any business, profitability is a part of how publishers decide which book to take on. Before a publisher chooses to work on your book, they’ll weigh factors such as genre trends, target audience appeal, and potential sales projections. Assessing whether the book will sell allows the publisher to get an vague idea of whether they can recoup their investment and turn a profit.
Author’s Following
With social media being more influential than ever before, an author's platform and following play a significant role in how publishers decide who to work with. Publishers are more likely to consider manuscripts from authors with a consistent online presence and a sizable following. A prepared audience can contribute to the book's success through pre-release buzz, word-of-mouth marketing, and increased visibility.
And since you don’t need a manuscript to create a social media presence, this is something you can get started on before your manuscript is even written. Check out the marketing section of my blog for more info.
The journey from manuscript submission to book publication involves lots of decisions on both the author’s and the publisher’s behalf. Understanding how publishers decide which submissions to accept sheds light on the secretive world of manuscript selection and goes to show how much publishers consider their audience’s best interests throughout the entire publishing process.