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Finding a publisher

1. Pick the right publishers

   Read their catalogues: do they publish your genre? Do they accept manuscripts? Many big publishers only read through literary agents.

2. Prepare the material

   A short query letter (who you are, the book in three lines, why them), a 1–2 page synopsis WITH the ending, the first chapters or the full manuscript if asked (from Mitros: PDF or Word).

3. Follow their rules

   Every publisher and agent says how they want submissions: follow them to the letter. Keep a list of submissions with dates and answers; it can take weeks or months.

4. Beware of vanity presses

   A real publisher never asks you to pay to be published, to buy copies or to pay for editing. If they do, it is a paid service, not a publisher.

5. Read the contract carefully

   Term, rights granted (ebook, audiobook, translations, film), royalties, advance, statements. Have an expert or an authors' association read it before you sign.

6. Writing contests

   Serious contests are free or cheap and have known juries; some offer publication as a prize.

Prices, percentages and rules change: always check the official pages. Guide updated in October 2026.

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