Who Should Publish Your Story? 7/26/2012 6:19:57 AM
Imagine that you have just completed your first children’s story. You’ve spent months, or perhaps even years, to make sure you’ve polished every detail. You’ve revised it until you’re practically cross-eyed from looking at it. What’s the next step? How do you know where to send your manuscript?
•Investigate the publishers thoroughly: Suppose you’re understandably excited about finding a publisher who says they will publish your story for free. Be careful because even though the publishing services may be free, they could have other charges that are not stated. For example you may be charged exorbitant fees for shipping. Or the price you pay for your books could be variable, depending on the promotion of the week.
•Check the company with the Better Business Bureau: One step that may be overlooked is checking with the BBB to see if the company is reputable. Do they have complaints? What are the complaints? Have they been resolved? If you see that the company has many complaints, it should be a red flag for you to look elsewhere.
•Read the guidelines carefully: Let’s say that you’ve been researching and you found a company that looks perfect for your project. But then you notice they don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. Or they don’t accept children’s stories. They may not accept stories with your particular subject. For example, if the company only accepts stories about Science, you wouldn’t want to submit one about combating bullying. Also, pay attention to the word count that they want so you’re within those limits.
I hope these hints will help you find the perfect home for your exceptional children’s story.
