Welcome to our very first Writing Show Q&A. I’m your host, Paula B.

I was inspired to put together this podcast by an inquiry from Steve Tupper, a 2005 NaNoWriMo participant. Steve wrote and said:

Suppose that an author has self-published through Lulu, etc. but the author still wants the validation of being published by a major publisher. Does the fact that the author has self-published the book (print, e-book, etc.) that the author is submitting turn off publishers who might otherwise consider picking up the book? Would the author be sticking his thumb in the eye of a major publisher by submitting a copy of the Lulu-published hardcover instead of the 8.5? x 11? manuscript? Even if the author submits his manuscript on 8.5? x 11? paper like everybody else, does professional courtesy require that the author tell the publisher up front that the book has been self-published and marketed on a small scale (and I suspect that it would, being that the publisher wouldn’t be getting the actual first distribution of the book and probably deserves to know that).

This is a great question, Steve. I took it to three publishers. Here are their answers.

The first comes from John Bryans, editor-in-chief and publisher at the Book Publishing Division of Information Today Books and Plexus Publishing. John says:

Thanks, Paula. I’ll be glad to address this.

First, though, I want to remind the author that publishers typically don’t want to receive an unsolicited manuscript OR a self-published book: Editors generally prefer initial contact to take the form of a well-written query letter that explains the concept briefly, along with a synopsis and the first 3 chapters. (Emphasis on the word “first”!) A brief bio of the author is worth including, as well, if it’s relevant. If this material catches the editor’s attention he/she may then ask for the balance but it’s rarely productive to send a complete work without an invitation. The author should refer to the ms/proposal guidelines for each publisher he submits to, as they vary somewhat from publisher to publisher. An SASE with sufficient postage is always a good idea: the author is unlikely to get the material back, or any explanation as to why the submission was rejected, without one. (In respect to the latter, we know that most publishers use form-letter style rejections that offer little or no insight, but there are exceptions–usually when you are dealing with small to mid-size publishers who will take the time to respond, especially when a submission has merit but may be off-target for a particular publishing program.)

All of this pretty much negates the question of desirable format for submission of a full-length work. The answer is, neither, unless you’ve been asked to. Assuming the author IS invited to submit a complete copy of the work, submit the self-published book IF IT ISN’T AN EMBARRASSMENT.

Publishers understand that authors have new options in the digital age, and that they can and do self-publish, and prejudice against so-called vanity publishing (a phrase we hear less frequently all the time) is overstated and fading away. In any event, would the author want to work with an editor who is so narrow-minded that he can’t accept the possibility that a self-published book has value and commercial potential? (I think not.) If you do submit a self-published book, to achieve the best possible outcome the writer should provide sales numbers, and explain why things (apparently) didn’t work out and why he believes the work deserves a chance to be widely read. Be honest about all of this, but address the situation as briefly as possible and don’t be defensive about it, ever.

Transcript continues....

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