How to Successfully Pitch Your Manuscript to Publishers

While you’re just done with writing your book and crafting an engaging storyline, you’re all set to publish your book. But does the journey end here? It begins at this stage.

To let your book reach the right audience, you need to invest in marketing and publishing efforts. However, publishers are well known to reject plenty of books. The bad part is that you won’t even get a reason for this.

Your months of hard work just feel wasted when a publisher decides not to respond or considers your book unworthy of being published.

This blog explores the successful tips and tricks you can implement while pitching your manuscript to publishers.

The Struggle of Connecting with Publishers:

Considering the publisher’s point of view, they receive numerous manuscripts regularly. However, not every pitch will be valuable and worthy enough to be published. This leads them to quickly analyze the document without any in-depth analysis and reject it for the slightest reason.

Now, if you believe that your piece of content is well written, you need to put in some effort. You need to allow the publisher to see the potential your book holds to transform the world of book lovers.

While pitching your manuscript, you need to show the publishers why your book guarantees sales.

The Role of Literary Agents in Taking You One Step Ahead:

If you want to connect with famous publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan Publishers, you might need an agent.

This is because well-known publishing agencies don’t usually connect with authors. In this case, an agent plays a role in conveying your pitch to the companies through their book publishing services.

Contacting an agent increases the chances of your manuscript getting published. This is because publishers know that manuscripts coming from an agent will be verified and embedded with valuable material.

Moreover, a literary agent is more likely to know more about various publishers while they are pitching on your behalf. In this way, they can choose the publisher who has a greater chance of accepting your manuscript.

How will I pitch an Agent or a Publisher?

Here is how you can elevate the chances of your manuscript getting accepted:

You need to start by identifying the pitching requirements. Fiction books require a complete manuscript, whereas Non-fiction books require an overview and a cover letter attached.

Fiction Books:

To pitch a fiction book, you need to submit the latest version of your draft.

Start by writing an initial draft. Then review and edit it. Go through it multiple times to ensure that there are no errors present. Revisions are the key to success.

When you are ready with a manuscript that is perfect and free of errors, take time and gather opinions of others regarding it.

Get feedback regarding your storyline. Now, you need genuine feedback, which readers can understand. So, even if you are willing to share with your family, go ahead, but consider a professional opinion as well.

But one thing you need to do is share the manuscript with book enthusiasts and beta readers. They can carefully analyze and help you identify the plot twist you’ve been missing in your story.

Now sit and work again on revising and finalizing your draft based on feedback.

When you are 100% sure that the draft is ready and this is the best and revised version of your manuscript, you’re all good to go!

Attach the manuscript along with a query letter, and you’re ready to pitch.

Non-Fiction Books:

If you have written a non-fiction book, then the publishing journey might be a bit easier for you. This is because agencies for non-fiction books require only an outline and a few chapters of your book instead of a manuscript.

So you can begin with the process earlier, after you have written the initial chapters of your book. Just prepare the chapters and a cover letter, and you’re ready to pitch to book publishing UK services!

What to Add in Book Pitch?

•       Start by adding a summary of your manuscript. Briefly describe your story. Discuss the title you chose, the genre of your book, and the word count.

More than the book itself, a literary agent will focus on a few other points. This includes information related to you and the audience you’re going to target.

•       The publishing agent will always be interested in the sales your book is going to bring. So start by telling the unique features of your book. Describe the need for your story in the book industry. Discuss why people are going to purchase your book.
•       Mention your target audience. Discuss the similar books and what makes your book stand out among them.
•       Along with the book, you need to tell about yourself as well. Discuss how you will market your book, your social platforms, and the audience you have built through them.

Should I pitch to multiple publishers?

Pitching to multiple publishers may be a good idea, but only if you’re reaching out to industry-specific people. Sending your pitch to someone who publishes books from a different genre will only waste their time.

So instead of wasting your energy on unnecessary pitches, you can look for publishers belonging to your niche.

Well-performed research is also essential during this process. Search for the criteria of publishing agencies. Different publishers have different criteria. Some allow you to share unsolicited manuscripts, while some publishers reject them.

Common mistakes to avoid rejection:

Authors often wait for their manuscripts’ responses, and they are surrounded by confusion. However, the cause of rejection remains unidentified. So if you’re making any of the below-mentioned mistakes, eliminating them from your writing journey can elevate chances of acceptance.

•   You’re not fulfilling the requirements provided by your publisher.
•   A typographical error is present in your document, which makes it unprofessional.
•   Not adding a personal touch in emails. Authors often forget to mention the recipients’ names, making them lose interest.
•   Sending one email to multiple recipients at a time.

Not producing a good pitch, which is filled with errors, will only disappoint the publishers. A pitch that is full of typos and mistakes will only indicate a low writing quality. This will eventually decrease the chance of publishers giving a shot to your book.

Key Takeaways:

The book publishing journey is nothing but a roller coaster ride, which has no guarantee of stopping any time soon. While seeking to publish a book directly or contacting an agency, you need to show immense patience.

Always remember, a rejection is a redirection towards something better. If the publication agency fails to recognize your efforts, you have to keep going. Try revisiting your draft, revising, and making changes. A final review may open pathways for your book to become the next bestseller!