subject: How To Publish A Book In India? [print this page] Writing a book is not easy; getting it published is even more challenging. As a writer, you must be aware of a few things if you wish to publish your book in India. Follow the publisher's guidelines for submitting work to them. Some publishers prefer to see a book proposal rather than a completed manuscript. Be sure to send them what they ask for.
The two major players besides you who play a very crucial role in getting your book published are the agent and the publisher. Agents are people who have contacts within various publishing houses and therefore act as a catalyst in speeding up the process and ensuring the manuscript reaches the hands of individuals who matter.
Publisher on the other hand is the company that will publish your book. The editors in the publishing house are the ones who select books that they deem worth publishing. In India, these editors can be approached directly by writers. However, you and your work both will be taken more seriously if you can be recommended by an agent.
In order to initiate the process, do not share the entire manuscript with the agent or the publisher. It is always advisable to write a query letter first. A query letter typically contains details about your manuscript, such as the name, type and length. It contains a brief synopsis on what the book is about, your qualifications and a thank you note to the editor/agent for reading the letter. Remember, the query letter should be a single page document.
Some very famous publishing houses in India are Penguin Books India, Westland, Ratna Sagar, Scholastic etc. After you submit your query letter, wait for a response. The response might not always be positive but the mantra is to keep trying. Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, remember that your name is on your work and no one can make or break your reputation as a writer but you.
Seek radio and television personalities who may wish to interview you regarding your upcoming book. These are excellent ways to gain free publicity, which almost always helps in selling books once they are published and on the market.
