I bought my copy of Writer’ & Artists Yearbook 2013, but I found on the internet “independent” publishers not listed in W’s & A. They are, however, the only ones inviting MSS submissions without a literary agent. Can they to be trusted?
I bought my copy of Writer’ & Artists Yearbook 2013, but I found on the internet “independent” publishers not listed in W’s & A. They are, however, the only ones inviting MSS submissions without a literary agent. Can they to be trusted?
At least I think it's the Society of Authors. Sorry, it's a bit early in the morning!
The term 'independent publisher' is very broad. Even self-publishers are called independent publishers, although it often refers to those who are published in paperback rather than just e-books.
You need to do your homework on each company and find out if they are a one-man-band who is essential helping you self-publish, if they are a scam or if they are genuinely a small publisher.
But what I would ask yourself first is whether a small publisher is really for you. Their distribution and advertising capabilities fall far behind any of the larger houses. I went to a talk given by an indie a few years ago and she was quite honest about the fact she wouldn't be able to afford a place in the front shelves in Waterstones and that they resorted to inovative advertising such as leaving books on buses in London with a note inside telling the reader they would be sent 20 pounds if they read the book and gave an online review. It struck me as a great idea, but if that is your only advertising campaign your book will be lucky to sell the first print run, no matter how small it is.
A well-run indie can make you some money from your work and leaving out agents means a bigger slice of what you do make. But always check you are getting a fair deal with any contract. Many agencies offer a one off service checking over contracts and the Society of Authors will also give guidance on what is fair for a first book.
Good Luck.