Finding the right book publisher

Step 1 in my ‘Demystifying the publishing process’ series for academics

If you’re an academic and you’re thinking about publishing your work, it’s never too early to start looking for a publisher. There’s no single right way to identify a ‘good fit’ press for your book, but there is one golden rule. You need to be clear about who you are writing for and why.

If you attempt to write a book for everyone, you’re writing for no one.  Define your ideal reader, and start from there.

Once you’ve established your goals, don’t wait until the last minute to identify a publishing route. Give yourself as much time as possible, especially if you need to publish your book to a given timeline (for example, to coincide with a job application or the anniversary of a historical event).

Contracts take time to secure and the most rapid turnaround for book production will be 12-18 months. In practice, timelines can be much longer and unpredictable.

Researching potential presses

One of the most productive places to start is to consider the books that you are already reading or citing in your own work. Focus particularly on texts that have been published recently, or form part of an active book series. Where are these books being published? Be aware that anything published five years ago is probably irrelevant to your search. Given the slow nature of academic publishing, the author may have been commissioned to write that book up to five years prior to that (i.e. a decade ago). These ‘older’ titles provide no indication that the press is still active in your research area.

There is one great way of finding out if publishers have an investment in your field, and that is if they’re attending your conference circuit. This is a clear sign that they are allocating resources in your area. It demonstrates they are likely to have a relevant catalogue (or are in a building phase for one), and they are willing to take on new titles. Don’t be shy about approaching acquisition or commissioning editors at these events – that is why they are there! They want to meet authors, so prepare a quick pitch of your idea in advance.

You can also make contact with series editors. As academics working in your field, they will be able to advise you regarding your proposal and champion your book with the commissioning editor at the press.

You can start discussions with more than one press at a time (and even submit formal proposals to more than one, if their guidelines allow and if you’re transparent about your actions). However, a press may require exclusivity before moving to the next stage,

It’s also very helpful to talk to your colleagues and peers about their publishing experiences, particularly if they have published work recently. But do bear in mind that personnel and processes can change rapidly, so your encounter with a publisher may turn out to be quite different from theirs.

Taking care of your own needs

Publishing is an intense and time-consuming process, requiring a good deal of emotional and intellectual energy. Before embarking on a project, be clear on your goals. Maximise the benefits and practicality for you and for your career.

It’s important to think about what you need to prioritise, and whether the target publisher can meet those priorities. Most importantly, can they reach your intended audience? Key factors in this respect include the available book formats (eBook, hardback, paperback, or audiobook); the price points and open access options; and the way the book is marketed.

From a production perspective, there are further elements to consider. For example, is design a key issue for you? Consider the quality and appearance of the publisher’s books. Maybe you’re interested in developing a strong relationship with the editor? Think about your interactions with them, and how you feel about working with them. You may also want to check whether copyediting is included within the contract, and to what extent – what kind of practical support will you receive, if any, in terms of getting the manuscript into shape?

Finally, it’s important to understand what expectations are being placed on you as an author. Will you be subject to any contractual obligations, and are you expected to heavily invest your time in promoting the book? Contracts tend not to be negotiable, but you can usually negotiate the delivery date of the manuscript, the number of free copies you’ll receive, and when or whether the foreign language rights revert back to you.

Investing time in this process, at an early stage, will help you not only refine your vision for the book but also develop a strategy to achieve it.

In my next post, I’ll be discussing the next big step: submitting a formal book proposal.

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I‘m publishing a series of blog posts to help demystify the publication process for academic authors. Many of the basic principles will also apply to non-fiction authors working outside the academy. The series will form a practical step-by-step guide for anyone who is considering publishing for the first time – or is still learning about this magical and weird process.

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If you have a specific issue that you’d like me to cover, or a burning question about publishing or editing, I’d also love to hear from you. Please get in touch with your questions or request a free consultation to find out how I can help you with your project.

Publication date: 25 July 2027