I've written a book. There are so many publishing companies out there, I just don't know where to start.?

This is a tricky subject, as my book covers a very truthful account of alcoholism and prostitution. Some publishers may find it too hard hitting, and perhaps the language may offend. Has anyone any suggestions on where to start getting my book out there?I've written a book. There are so many publishing companies out there, I just don't know where to start.?
Your best bet is to get a literary agent. They have the connections and information as to what publishers are looking for. If you send it unsolicited to a publisher, you run the real risk of it ending up on a slush pile.



Get copies of the most current (2010 should be out now or shortly) copies of Writer's Marker, A Guide to Literary Agents, and/or Jeff Hermann's Guide to Literary Agents. You don't pay a literary agent to shop your book to publishers. They get paid once the book is sold. Be sure, however, that the manuscript is in pristine condition with no punctuation, grammar, or spelling errors. Be sure the editing is as complete as you can make it. There will still be changes to make, but don't be in a rush to send off the manuscript unless you're sure it's ready to be seen by professionals.I've written a book. There are so many publishing companies out there, I just don't know where to start.?
Like Goldie says,

Before you send anything to anyone, edit it many times to make it as good as it can be. Put it away for a month or two, then take it out and do more editing.

Type it in proper manuscript form (http://www.writersdigest.com has the details on what is needed).

Get it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (do not rely only on spellcheck).



There are very few publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts (those that don't go through a literary agent), so getting an agent is a really good idea.



Visit http://www.agentquery.com or, at the bookstore or library, look for Bowker's Literary Marketplace, Writer's Market 2010 or Jeff Herman's Guide to Literary Agents. Look for agents that handle your genre, and are looking for new clients. Read, and follow, their submission guidelines.



Those books will have something about writing a query letter, which is what is sent to the agent, first. It's part synopsis of your book, and part explanation as to why your book deserves to be published. Take the time to make it a good one, because you have only that one-page letter to get the agent's attention.



Expect the whole process to take lots of time, and plan on lots of rejections. When you are accepted by an agent, they will send your book to publishers, not you.



Except for postage, the entire process of getting an agent is FREE, until a publisher buys your book. That is when the agent gets their cut, usually 15%, of the money that goes to you. Run away from any agent that asks for money upfront.



Good luck!I've written a book. There are so many publishing companies out there, I just don't know where to start.?
Try writer's workshop (www.writersworkshop.co.uk)



They can answer that one and will even review your manuscript for a modest fee.



Good luck with it.
It all comes down to market research. Have a look around your local library and in the book shops. Find a book that is similar to yours and see who published it and then check to see if they regularly print tiles like that. If they do then try them with your manuscript.



Market research is very important. Take Mills and Boon for instance. Everyone knows that they publish romance, but that does not mean that they will publish something just because it is a romance. If I had a romance novel to pitch to them I would read several of their titles before wasting their time--or my own. My story (if I had one) might be too steamy, or too violent. Or, on the other hand, it might not be steamy enough, and I could only get an idea of their requirements by reading their books. It goes without saying that I would also familiarize myself with their guidelines as well.



And--VERY IMPORTANT THIS--my manuscript would be in the correct manuscript format. Is yours? You can find out about that here:http://www.shunn.net/format/novel.html



Here is another thought: who else writes the kind of book that you want to publish? Can you think of anyone? If you can, which publisher do they use? If you can answer these questions then you have just found another possible market for your own work.



Somebody suggested finding an agent. If this is your first book, and I am presuming that it is, you will probably find it harder to find a reputable agent than to find a publisher. Reputable agents (note the word 'reputable' there are plenty of sharks in the water) tend to favour writers who already have a proven track record, or who have already had an offer made by a publisher.



My advice: get an offer on the table and then look for an agent, the chances of finding one will be a lot better at that point.



I hope that this helps and good luck.