Pardon me if I'm posting this in the wrong place, or if my questions seem redundant. I just joined Absolute Write today, and here I am just jumping in with what's on my mind, without doing a whole lot of searching around in all the threads I see...
What I'm trying to find out more about represents, to me, an exercise in filling in some gaps in my own experience as a publisher, editor and writer (see "In the beginning...", my introduction in the Newbie section). To briefly explain, I have connections with many artists and illustrators, one of whom (who lives in Brazil and speaks no English) would like me to represent his work in North America and get it published (ink on paper). This artist has produced (among other things) a collection of caricatures of celebrities which I believe would have good commercial potential (and in fact, there are numerous artists in South America whose work I think could be sold here).
Now, I know my way around printing and bindery and have lots of local connections in the graphic arts trade and with paper suppliers; I know how to prepare pages and files for press; I also know all about conventional printing vs digital printing. Basically, I have the means and know-how to produce and publish this book myself. But what I'm missing is a connection to the retail market.
Who am I looking for if I want to take this book to the U.S. market (I'm in Canada)? An agent? A publishing house? A distributor? I have had dealings in the past with Ingram Periodicals (who used to distribute my magazine) and a couple of Canadian distributors (LMPI and Disticor), but I don't think that will help me with selling books.
How does the "food chain" of book publishing work, and what route would you suggest I take with marketing this book and others which I plan to produce? I've only ever been a magazine publisher, producing a controlled circulation publication within Canada only, so I'm not familiar with the world of general publishing.
Is there anyone out there who might be looking to partner with me on publishing projects? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
What I'm trying to find out more about represents, to me, an exercise in filling in some gaps in my own experience as a publisher, editor and writer (see "In the beginning...", my introduction in the Newbie section). To briefly explain, I have connections with many artists and illustrators, one of whom (who lives in Brazil and speaks no English) would like me to represent his work in North America and get it published (ink on paper). This artist has produced (among other things) a collection of caricatures of celebrities which I believe would have good commercial potential (and in fact, there are numerous artists in South America whose work I think could be sold here).
Now, I know my way around printing and bindery and have lots of local connections in the graphic arts trade and with paper suppliers; I know how to prepare pages and files for press; I also know all about conventional printing vs digital printing. Basically, I have the means and know-how to produce and publish this book myself. But what I'm missing is a connection to the retail market.
Who am I looking for if I want to take this book to the U.S. market (I'm in Canada)? An agent? A publishing house? A distributor? I have had dealings in the past with Ingram Periodicals (who used to distribute my magazine) and a couple of Canadian distributors (LMPI and Disticor), but I don't think that will help me with selling books.
How does the "food chain" of book publishing work, and what route would you suggest I take with marketing this book and others which I plan to produce? I've only ever been a magazine publisher, producing a controlled circulation publication within Canada only, so I'm not familiar with the world of general publishing.
Is there anyone out there who might be looking to partner with me on publishing projects? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?