Four tips to finding a publisher

If you're an Aussie writer looking for a publisher, you might be feeling lost. There are so many options out there, but how do you know which one is right for you? Well, don't worry, I'm here to help. In this blog post, I'll share some tips on how to find a publisher for an Australian writer.

First, you need to decide what kind of publisher you want. Do you want a big-name publisher that has a lot of resources and reach, but might be harder to get into and more demanding? Or do you want a smaller, independent publisher that might be more flexible and supportive, but might have less exposure and marketing power? There's no right or wrong answer here. It depends on your goals and preferences.

Second, you need to do your research. Find out which publishers are accepting submissions in your genre and target audience. It used to be that you could use databases like The Australian Writers Marketplace however, these directories are no longer available which personally I find a shame because you would pay one price for the whole year and you would have a wealth of options in the one book which was great if you are a multi-genre or multi-format writer. However, your local writers centre may be able to help. For me, my state writers association would be the Queensland Writers Centre or the Australian Writers Centre for country wide coverage. There are also genre specific groups like Sisters in Crime, or Romance Writers of Australia. This does mean however that you need to be sure which group is best for you as most (not all) include a membership fee and unless you have the winning lottery tickets, or an unlimited budget, you probably can't afford to sign up for them all. Alternatively The Australian Literary Agents' Association can also help you identify publishers that suit your needs. Browsing bookstores and libraries to see which publishers are publishing books similar to yours is another great way to identify publishers and contributes to any research you may be doing on cover design if you are doing that yourself too.

Third, you need to follow the submission guidelines. Each publisher has their own rules and requirements for submitting your manuscript. Carefully following the submission guidelines is crucial, otherwise the publishers might reject your submission without even reading it. Make sure you format your manuscript properly, write a catchy cover letter and synopsis, and include any other documents or information the publisher asks for.

Finally, you need to be patient and persistent. Finding a publisher can take a long time, and you might face a lot of rejections along the way. Don't give up, keep improving your craft and sending out your submissions. Remember that every rejection is an opportunity to learn and grow. And don't forget to celebrate every achievement, no matter how small.

I hope this blog post has given you some useful tips on how to find a publisher for an Australian writer. Good luck with your publishing journey!

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