RE: One last shot at finding publisher before self-publishing

[Lyn Worthen <Lyn -dot- Worthen -at- caselle -dot- com>]

hello Steven - 

> ... they sent it to outside reviewers in the education
> field who said they probably recomment students buy other
> books instead of mine.  

Can you get any information about what problems the reviewers had with your
book?  Depending on what they said, you may/may not want to rework the book
to make it publishable.

> ...Of course, most of the really big publishers won't
> look at the book unless you have an agent -- and the
> agents seem to universally want to deal with authors 
> who are [celebrities of some sort]

Of course the agents want to represent someone who already has a "name" - it
sells the book for them.  And as a newcomer, you're facing an uphill battle,
but it's one that can be one with enough persistence.  There are thousands
of agents, so I'm sure you still have several left to try.  You also
mentioned at least two editors who were interested in the book - even though
they didn't take it, either one of them might be willing/able to recommend
an agent for you to talk with.  Having a recommendation can go a long way in
winning an agent.

> I'm looking for a list-serve where publishers communicate
> with each other.  I want to join, tell them a bit more about
> the book, and see if I get any bites.  

Stop and think about this one a minute.
A publisher's list-serv is going to be -their- territory.  By barging in on
it to pitch your book, all you're doing is showing your lack of experience
in the field.  While it's possible that you may find someone willing to take
a look at it this way, you're much more likely to succeed in alienating a
large group of publishers all at once.

> ...is it worth placing a small ad in the back of something 
> like Publishers Weekly?  

No.  That's an avenue for promoting -published- work.

> Any other suggestions on how I target the publishing
> community?

Again, get a recommendation from your earlier publishers.  If you have any
connection with other published writers in similar/related fields, get one
(or more) of them to read your material and recommend an agent for you to
talk with.

In the publishing industry, as with so many others, who you know matters.
It's also important to remember that publishers & editors talk to each other
(same is true of agents).  If you're consistently acting in a professional
manner, and continue sending your manuscript from house to house/agency to
agency, your name will start to become familiar to them.  You want to be
totally professional if you want to be well-received.  If the manuscript is
truly viable, you will eventually break through.  (If the content is at all
dated, be sure to keep it up-to-date and relevant).

Opinions on self-publishing vary widely.  Some swear by it, others think
it's totally unprofessional.  If you decide to go that route, thoroughly
check out your publisher.  Writer's Digest offers a booklet on what you
should be aware of when self-publishing to avoid getting burned (there's
usually an ad in the back of each issue of the magazine).  

best of luck,

Lyn

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