Part One
Writing an excellent book is one thing; finding the right publisher for it is quite another. It helps to know a little bit about what the acquisitions process looks like. Here are some of the typical phases a nonfiction book project will pass through on the way to acquisition.
The Key Pieces of an Author’s Proposal
Navigating the Gatekeepers of the Acquisitions Process
5. The Publisher/CEO
The Stages of the Acquisitions Process
1. Finding an Agent – You work to find the agent who can best represent your work to potential publishers.
2. Polishing the Key Pieces – You work with your agent to prepare your work for submission to the publisher.
3. Submission to the Editor – You work with your agent to choose one or more publishers to whom you will submit your work.
4. Responding to the Editor’s Queries – If the acquisitions editor is interested, he or she may have additional questions or request revisions to the proposal.
5. Submission to the Publisher – If the acquisitions editor likes your proposal, he or she may submit a proposal to the publisher through a publishing board.
6. Responding to the Publisher’s Queries – If the publishing board likes your proposal, they too may have additional questions or revisions.
7. The Contract Offer and Negotiation – If the publishing board approves your proposal, they will initiate the process of contract negotiation.
Over the next several weeks, each Saturday, I’ll share some insights about the process outlined above.
Continue the series: Creating a One-Sheet Mini-Proposal