Can anyone recommend a good publisher and agent

[WaulML6]

I am looking for a good publisher, reputable who does not charge you for your book but instead will read and decide if it's good enough for them to accept and publish.  It is an inspirational mystery novel based on true events that have been turned around and names have been changed and maybe 15% fictional.  But listing it as fictional.  I have had some publishers contact me that want money.  I know that this is not right.  A good publisher who wants your book is not going to charge you.  Also looking for the same with an agent. 

[lbeery]

Congrats on completing your book.  Christian fiction is really popular at our library.  I know finding an agent and publisher can be difficult but don't give up.  You may want to try looking in christion fiction books at the library and read the authors "thank you's" and acknowledgements for the names of the agents they use.  Then send a proposal or request to them.  The writers market handbooks can help you with this format.
Anyway, I hope you are successful in finding an agent.  We need more good authors.

[bessie1111]

I have only self-published one book through Kindle.  I know you can self-publish, but have to pay for that.  You can also self-publish through Kindle and Amazon as I did.  To have a publisher decide to publish your book, you will have to submit your manuscript to publishing companies.  There are writers manuals that list addresses for these publishers and the correct format you need to submit a manuscript.  It is much more difficult to publish that way.  I would equate it to a musician struggling to get discovered or an actor looking for his or her first big break.  Sometimes, it's who you know.  It took years for J.K.Rowling to get published; now look at her success.  Best of luck and blessings to you.

[southernhorizons]

I think the Writer's Market book would be your best bet. It's a big thick book published every year, that tells how and where to get your work published. You can also visit their website at writersmarket dot com.

[Delphyne]

I think the Writer's Market book would be your best bet. It's a big thick book published every year, that tells how and where to get your work published. You can also visit their website at writersmarket dot com.

I have to agree with this poster.  The Writer's Market is an excellent tool when wanting to look for a publisher.  My publisher handles poetry and short stories mostly.  Funky stuff.  I was fortunate to find him.  A friend referred me.  So, both of my poetry books are published by the same company and I did not pay anything.  Granted it is a small company and I have yet to make money from them.  Having them in print is what was most important.

There are publishers who charge.  This is called subsidiary publishing.  Basically, the publisher does not feel confident that the book will sell, so they charge the author fees to help cover the cost. 


L. Frank Baum wrote the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  Believe it or not, he himself paid to have the book published because NO publisher wanted it.  Every single publisher turned him down.  He coughed up the money to pay for publishing costs, and the rest is history.

He is not the only one.  Many authors of the past had to pay to have their works published, and later became famous. 


It also helps considerably if you have minor publications elsewhere, this way you can present your work with a type of "writer's resume".  I have several poems in magazines, poems in anthologies, an article in a periodical, and two photographs published, plus the two books I have.  I have not written much since my second book (it took the winds out of me), but I am thinking of starting a newsletter.  (I probably would be doing that now, but my printer is on the fritz.)


Finding a publisher can take a heck of a lot of time. 

So...get the Writer's Market;

Join a writer's community forum and maybe let a member read an excerpt of your book.  You never know, someone may refer you to a publisher.

You might consider picking up the Writer's Digest Magazine.  It often lists contest and publishers looking for work.  I know there are many contests for first time writers.  You may qualify for some.

Always include a cover letter with a synopsis and some of your past writing experience.

Always make sure the manuscript is in proper form.  If it is not, it will be turned down.


I hope you find someone!  Good luck!

[WaulML6]

Thanks for the info.  Interesting. 

[twelton]

Writer's Market is a great tool for writer's to keep. It is full of information that will help you to find what you need. Be sure to look for the right one though, there are different ones. I have some of the writer's market but I learned more from the courses that I have taken at home. I took several courses both for writing for adult style literature and also children's. I have taken courses from short stories for both, a work shop for both, I've completed the course for learning to write novels for the adult literature and now I'm on my final lesson for the children's novel. When I'm finished I'll receive another diploma that counts for 7 credits at a University. Check the web there are places that give free lessons or there are some that are reasonably priced. I plan to take more if I can. Good luck on your book.

[WaulML6]

Thank you all.

[Delphyne]

Thank you all.

Have you had any luck?  If you like I could contact my publisher and ask him if anyone he knowns publishes that particular genre.  Would you like me to ask?