The Best Small Publishers

Midnight92 · Jun 13, 2009

I'm new here and I would very much appreciate any help from anyone. I would like to know which are the best small publishers that do not require an author to have an agent. If there is a link to a publisher you know of that fits this criteria, please go ahead and include it as well.

Thank you all in advance.

Christine N. · Jun 13, 2009

Well, we need more information. What do you write? Not all small presses accept every genre. Many of them are speculative fiction only, some Romance, some will take a variety but might have a word count limit.

So, tell us what you wrote, maybe we can help you find what you're looking for.

RoccoMom · Jun 13, 2009

Here are two I know of:

www.echelonpress.com

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Midnight92 · Jun 13, 2009

Thank you both. What I've written is a fantasy for 9-14 yr olds, although from what some (not family..LOL) have read, they agree that it can easily satisfy both YA, and adults as well.

Sorry I forgot to include that tidbit.

frandavea · Jun 13, 2009

Toni1953 said:
Here are two I know of:

www.echelonpress.com

www.whiskeycreekpress.com

I submitted to an Echelon imprint, Quake, which handles YA fiction. I received a request for the full manuscript a month later. That was over a year ago, and I never heard back, despite multiple inquiries. So either they are waaaaaaay behind, or they don't reply if they don't like it. If it's the latter, I would think they'd respond out of plain courtesy, since they requested the manuscript.

Thomas Scot · Jun 13, 2009

Midnight92 said:
I'm new here and I would very much appreciate any help from anyone. I would like to know which are the best small publishers that do not require an author to have an agent. If there is a link to a publisher you know of that fits this criteria, please go ahead and include it as well.

Thank you all in advance.

You might try http://www.writersmarket.com

It's the online version of the Writer's Market, only better because it updates continuously, has links to agents and publishers who have an on line presence and you can filter by the type of publisher who wants your kind of fiction, filter by small press, accepts unagented subs, etc.

It's pretty handy.

The caveat is that you do have to 'purchase' access. Although one year of access is equivalent to buying the book.

Best of luck, Thom.

Christine N. · Jun 14, 2009

I'd also cruise through the Preditors and Editors (google it) publisher's list.

Be aware, however, that there aren't a lot of small publishers that do YA, but there are a few, and not too many that have bookstore distribution. So if you can live with that, have at it.

Michael Davis · Jun 15, 2009

I think Predators and Editors is a great source. They also attempt to evaluate their suitability from other author inputs. That's how I found my publisher and I am very happy with them (they don't do YA).

veinglory · Jun 15, 2009

Perhaps try duotrope.com

EchelonPress · Jun 17, 2009

frandavea said:
I submitted to an Echelon imprint, Quake, which handles YA fiction. I received a request for the full manuscript a month later. That was over a year ago, and I never heard back, despite multiple inquiries. So either they are waaaaaaay behind, or they don't reply if they don't like it. If it's the latter, I would think they'd respond out of plain courtesy, since they requested the manuscript.

Careful what you say in public, someone might be reading it.

We have been posting notes all over looking for you because we have wanted to offer you a contract, but your cover letter never made it with the rest of the manuscript as it got passed from editor to editor, so we have been looking for nearly 4 months. There was no contact information on your actual manuscript so we had no idea how to get int ouch with you, and we never received any of the e-mails unless they went to editors who have come and gone...and there have been a few, but your book got passed along and we want to buy it.

So stop talking smack about us...heehee...and get back to me.

Karen Syed
[email protected]

A publisher should never have to work this hard to find an author...commitment? I got it!

ishtar'sgate · Jun 17, 2009

Midnight92 said:
Thank you both. What I've written is a fantasy for 9-14 yr olds, although from what some (not family..LOL) have read, they agree that it can easily satisfy both YA, and adults as well.

Sorry I forgot to include that tidbit.

Your profile doesn't say where you live but if you're interested in a Canadian publisher I'd recommend Thistledown Press in Saskatchewan. They were great to work with and accept YA.

Midnight92 · Jun 17, 2009

Ishtar's Gate: thank you for your recommendation. I checked out their website before, and found that they only publish Canadian authors, from what I read in their About Us section.

But thank you just the same.

NeuroFizz · Jun 17, 2009

EchelonPress said:
Careful what you say in public, someone might be reading it.

We have been posting notes all over looking for you because we have wanted to offer you a contract, but your cover letter never made it with the rest of the manuscript as it got passed from editor to editor, so we have been looking for nearly 4 months. There was no contact information on your actual manuscript so we had no idea how to get int ouch with you, and we never received any of the e-mails unless they went to editors who have come and gone...and there have been a few, but your book got passed along and we want to buy it.

So stop talking smack about us...heehee...and get back to me.

Karen Syed

A publisher should never have to work this hard to find an author...commitment? I got it!

Kudos, Karen, for sticking with it. And welcome to AW.

Parametric · Jun 18, 2009

EchelonPress said:
We have been posting notes all over looking for you because we have wanted to offer you a contract, but your cover letter never made it with the rest of the manuscript as it got passed from editor to editor, so we have been looking for nearly 4 months. There was no contact information on your actual manuscript so we had no idea how to get int ouch with you, and we never received any of the e-mails unless they went to editors who have come and gone...and there have been a few, but your book got passed along and we want to buy it.

Note to self: the header with my name and contact details is important.

NeuroFizz · Jun 18, 2009

If anyone is interested in a high-quality mid-sized publisher of traditional print books (hardcover, mass market paperback, and trade paperback), take a look at Medallion Press. They are selective but this data is from their current webpage:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]27% of all Medallion authors are award winners[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]42% of all Medallion authors have been nominated for awards[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]65% of Medallion authors who have been nominated have won awards[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]16% of Medallion authors are multiple award winners[/FONT]

frandavea · Jun 18, 2009

EchelonPress said:
Careful what you say in public, someone might be reading it.

We have been posting notes all over looking for you because we have wanted to offer you a contract, but your cover letter never made it with the rest of the manuscript as it got passed from editor to editor, so we have been looking for nearly 4 months. There was no contact information on your actual manuscript so we had no idea how to get int ouch with you, and we never received any of the e-mails unless they went to editors who have come and gone...and there have been a few, but your book got passed along and we want to buy it.

So stop talking smack about us...heehee...and get back to me.

Karen Syed
[email protected]

A publisher should never have to work this hard to find an author...commitment? I got it!

Yeah, commitment you got! The smack stops here. Glad to finally know you.

Tika · Jun 18, 2009

OMG, that's too funny!

Tika

Tallent · Jun 18, 2009

Oh, please tell me this is a joke. For some reason I just can't tell.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EchelonPress

Careful what you say in public, someone might be reading it.

We have been posting notes all over looking for you because we have wanted to offer you a contract, but your cover letter never made it with the rest of the manuscript as it got passed from editor to editor, so we have been looking for nearly 4 months. There was no contact information on your actual manuscript so we had no idea how to get int ouch with you, and we never received any of the e-mails unless they went to editors who have come and gone...and there have been a few, but your book got passed along and we want to buy it.

So stop talking smack about us...heehee...and get back to me.

Karen Syed
[email protected]

A publisher should never have to work this hard to find an author...commitment? I got it!

Yeah, commitment you got! The smack stops here. Glad to finally know you.

EchelonPress · Jul 20, 2009

No joking matter

Definitely not a joke. I was looking, he is found and now has a contract with us to publish Killer Cows. Why would you tink it was a joke?

Tallent said:
Oh, please tell me this is a joke. For some reason I just can't tell.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EchelonPress
Careful what you say in public, someone might be reading it.

We have been posting notes all over looking for you because we have wanted to offer you a contract, but your cover letter never made it with the rest of the manuscript as it got passed from editor to editor, so we have been looking for nearly 4 months. There was no contact information on your actual manuscript so we had no idea how to get int ouch with you, and we never received any of the e-mails unless they went to editors who have come and gone...and there have been a few, but your book got passed along and we want to buy it.

So stop talking smack about us...heehee...and get back to me.

Karen Syed
[email protected]

A publisher should never have to work this hard to find an author...commitment? I got it!

Yeah, commitment you got! The smack stops here. Glad to finally know you.

Red-Green · Jul 21, 2009

I am crying-laughing over this thread. What a delightful conclusion despite an initial stumble. (And a great reminder to always triple-check your submission packet materials.

Congrats, Frandavea!

WendyNYC · Jul 21, 2009

Ha! That's awesome. Congrats, frandeva!

Little Red Barn · Jul 21, 2009

Too sahweet!!
Congrats on both ends!

stormie · Jul 21, 2009

Amazing. Congrats, Frandevea! And Midnight--hope you find a great publisher.

Tallent · Jul 21, 2009

EchelonPress said:
Definitely not a joke. I was looking, he is found and now has a contract with us to publish Killer Cows. Why would you tink it was a joke?

It seems to me that tracking down an author is a lot of work for a publisher. So, I thought it was another AW member playing a joke. But, wow, congratulations to you both.

trocadero · Jul 21, 2009

What a great story! Congrats Frandavea

The Best Small Publishers

Midnight92

Christine N.

haz a shiny new book cover

RoccoMom

Midnight92

frandavea

Thomas Scot

Christine N.

haz a shiny new book cover

Michael Davis

veinglory

volitare nequeo

EchelonPress

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Midnight92

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

Parametric

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

frandavea

Tika

Old kid, be gentle!

Tallent

EchelonPress

Red-Green

KoalaKoalaKoala!

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Little Red Barn

haz own threads

stormie

storm central

Tallent

trocadero