Approaching A Publisher

Can I approach a publisher direct?

On the whole, I don't think it's a good idea to approach a publisher directly. However, I think that if it's a work of non-fiction, you've got more chance, because it's a short proposal. If the non-fiction book is on a very strong subject and the proposal is well written, I think it has more chance of getting the publishing editor's attention. If it's a novel, I think it's very hard.

Can I send an unsolicited manuscript?

You can send an unsolicited manuscript to the publisher but it won't necessarily get looked at, so I would save the postage.

How many publishers should I approach in total?

You should approach every single publisher there is. I think that you just have to keep going. If your book's good enough, in the end somebody will find it. It could take a long time to get that publishing editor who's going to like it, but I can't stress enough that you need a literary agent to do it. They will do it. You'll have some who will go the long course and keep going for two years, and some that will give up after one submission.

How many publishers can I approach at the same time?

You can approach many different publishers, unless your agent decides a particular publisher is the perfect one. Then, you may go only to that publisher, which makes the publisher feel special when picked. Very often your literary agent will send it to say two or three publishers, or if they think they've got something really hot, they will send to half a dozen and try to get an auction going. It just depends on what the agent thinks is sensible and the best route.

Ive bumped into a well known publisher in a social setting should I pitch my book to them?

Don't pitch your book to a publisher in the social setting. However, do charm the person very much, and if you can winkle their card out of them, follow up with an email saying: “It was lovely to meet you and would you look at my book?” Generally, there is nothing worse, as a publisher, than being cornered at a party and being stuck with someone telling you the plot of a book. It's terrible.