[Publisher] Penguin Group USA

Shadow Dragon · Nov 7, 2008

I know that they aren't a scam or anything really bad like that but I didn't see it on the index so I'm wondering if you guys have anything good, bad or indifferent to say about Penguin and its imprints. Here is the page that includes all of the publishers under their label:
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishers/index.html

JulieB · Nov 7, 2008

I've been published by Ace.

I can't say enough good things about the experience.

Kasey Mackenzie · Nov 7, 2008

Berkley, one of the Penguin imprints, just bought my book last week, so I can't give much firsthand impressions of them as a publisher yet. However, I read a TON of fantasy/urban fantasy from their Roc and Ace imprints and consider them absolutely top-notch. (They publish some of my faves like Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Rachel Caine, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews...I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton more.) At any rate, I may be a tad biased now, but I've always thought they were a wonderful publisher!

victoriastrauss · Nov 7, 2008

For Penguin, as with the other mega-publishing houses, most imprints won't accept unagented submissions--and even for those that say they do, you're better off approaching through an agent.

- Victoria

CaoPaux · Nov 10, 2008

For the sake of the search engine, Penguin Group's imprints:

Ace/Roc Science Fiction & Fantasy (Separate thread here)
Alpha Books
Avery
Berkley Books
Dial Books for Young Readers
Dutton Books
Dutton Children's Books
Firebird
Frederick Warne
Gotham Books
G.P. Putnam's Sons
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
G.P. Putnam's Sons for Young Readers
Grosset & Dunlap
HP Books
Hudson Street Press
Jove
NAL (New American Library) (Separate thread here.)
Penguin
The Penguin Press
Perigee Books
Philomel Books
Plume
Portfolio
Prentice Hall Press
Price Stern Sloane
Puffin Books
Razorbill
Riverhead
Sentinel
Speak
Tarcher
The Viking Press
Viking Books for Young Readers

Clio · Nov 10, 2008

IMHO Penguin has been a highly respected publisher worldwide since its creation as a paperback imprint back in the 30s. But I should imagine it's very difficult to get a deal with them. Which is precisely why we were all over the moon for Kasey!

Julie Worth · Feb 2, 2009

Razorbill is one imprint that accepts queries from the non-agented. Anyone know what their response time is?

Gillhoughly · Feb 2, 2009

Make sure your submission is POLISHED.

They accepted an early draft of one of my books, thinking it was what I intended to see in print. I only found out when they sent me the copy edited manuscript, and I had only two weeks to do a complete rewrite to make it publishable.

That was a couple decades ago, but I've never let that happen again.

They're good, and they pay promptly, or as promptly as any mega-publisher can.

JennaGlatzer · Feb 2, 2009

I've worked with Avery and Perigee. Both were very good experiences.

Tanya Egan Gibson · Feb 2, 2009

Dutton is publishing my novel in May. Everyone there has been wonderful!

Death Wizard · Feb 2, 2009

I guess I don't get the gist of the original question in this thread. Penguin is one of the largest publishers in the world.

astonwest · Feb 2, 2009

deathwizard said:
I guess I don't get the gist of the original question in this thread. Penguin is one of the largest publishers in the world.

My guess is they were just wanting first-hand comments from people who had worked with the various imprints.

Death Wizard · Feb 2, 2009

astonwest said:
My guess is they were just wanting first-hand comments from people who had worked with the various imprints.

Ah! Okay, that makes sense. Thanks.

[Publisher] Penguin Group USA

Shadow Dragon

JulieB

I grow my own catnip

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

Clio

In the mind warp pavilion

Julie Worth

What? I have a title?

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

JennaGlatzer

wishes you happiness

Tanya Egan Gibson

Death Wizard

Tumhe na koci puujetha

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment

Death Wizard

Tumhe na koci puujetha