01
Prepare
Finish the materials that fit your kind of book: a query and sample pages for fiction, or a proposal for most nonfiction.
Publisher research
Give your book a clearer path to publication.
Learn which publishing route fits your book, prepare the right materials, and approach publishers whose lists match your work.
A sensible submission journey
From manuscript to a suitable publisher.
02
Research
Look for publishers whose recent books, readership, format, and submission route genuinely match your work.
03
Confirm
Read the publisher’s official guidelines on the day you submit. Windows and requested materials can change.
Choose the right route
Not every publisher works the same way.
Start with the route that suits your book and your goals. Then research individual presses through their official websites and recent catalogs.
Traditional publishers
Usually agented
Large and mid-sized publishing houses generally acquire books through literary agents. The publisher funds production and pays the author under contract.
Best for: commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, and books with a broad readership.
Independent presses
Some accept authors directly
Independent presses often specialize by genre, readership, or mission. Some welcome unagented manuscripts during stated reading periods.
Best for: distinctive voices, focused subjects, poetry, and specialist genres.
University presses
Proposal-led
University presses publish scholarly, regional, cultural, and serious trade work. Many assess nonfiction from a formal proposal first.
Best for: research, history, essays, regional studies, and expert-led nonfiction.
Author-service publishing
Author-funded
Service companies charge authors for production or publishing support. Contracts, rights, distribution, and fees should be reviewed carefully.
Best for: authors who understand the costs and want greater control over production.
The book proposal
Help an editor understand the book and its readers.
A strong proposal is not promotional noise. It is a practical publishing document that explains the idea, audience, author, structure, and market in a form an editor can assess.
Ask about proposal preparationWhat a proposal usually covers
- A one-sentence hook and a clear overview of the book
- The intended readership and comparable recent titles
- An author biography showing relevant experience or reach
- A chapter outline and polished sample chapters
- A practical plan for reaching readers
Requirements differ by publisher and genre. Always follow the publisher’s current instructions over a general template.
What authors get
Support from proposal to publisher conversation.
Proposal review
A consultant reads your proposal or query package and marks what an editor will look for first.
Publisher shortlist
We research presses whose recent lists, formats, and readers match your book.
Submission guidance
Clear notes on each publisher’s current guidelines, reading periods, and requested materials.
Offer review support
If a publisher responds, we help you understand the terms and questions to ask before you sign.
Questions authors ask
Publishing, answered plainly.
Do I need a literary agent to reach a publisher?
Not always. Large houses usually accept agented work only, but many independent and university presses read unagented submissions during open windows.
Is Library Agents a publisher?
No. We are a research and preparation service. Publishers make all acquisition decisions independently.
Do you guarantee a publishing deal?
No. Nobody honest can. We help you prepare stronger materials and approach better-matched publishers.
Should a publisher ever ask me to pay?
Traditional publishers pay the author, not the other way around. If a company asks for fees, review the contract carefully and contact us if you are unsure.
Your next step
Prepare before you submit.
Tell us about your manuscript and the publishing route you are considering.