35 Questions Authors Need to Ask Publishers

A list of questions you shouldn't be afraid to ask.

Dear Confidantes,

I appreciate your patience during my break from writing the paid edition of Publishing Confidential. I feel refreshed and ready to get back to it.

Today’s newsletter is brief but important. The more conversations I have with authors, the more I realize that people need a list of questions they should ask publishers before signing with them or in the immediate aftermath. Remember, this is YOUR book, and you have every right to ask many questions.

To that end, here is a list of questions you can keep handy:

1. How does the editorial process work, and how often should I expect to communicate with my editor?

2. When should I expect to connect with the publicity and marketing departments?

3. Do you create printed ARCs, and if so, how many will you produce for my book?

4. What is the timing for ARCs? (NOTE: If the publisher’s answer is less than 90 days from your publication date, ask why. You don’t want ARCs 45 days before your publication date because finished books should be ready four weeks before your publication date)

5. Do you submit ARCs to the publishing trades like Booklist, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus? If so, when? If not, why not?

6. When can I expect to see the first cover design for my book?

7. What are your specific marketing plans? (Example: If a publisher says the book will have “a robust social media campaign,” ASK FOR SPECIFICS)

8. Will you promote my book on your social media platforms? If so, how often? If not, why not?

9. When will I hear whether or not an audiobook is being produced? What is your process with audiobooks?

10. When should I expect to hear about book sales?

11. Are you sending me on a book tour or scheduling events for me? If not, should I schedule events on my own? Will you supply books?

12. Will I receive ARCs to send out for blurbs? When?

13. Will you (the publisher/editor) assist with blurbs?

14. How much input will I have for the cover?

15. When does your sales department start selling my books to accounts?

16. How long will my publicist work with me after my publication date?

17. What categories are you assigning to my book?

18. Did Indies and Barnes & Noble order copies of the book for physical stores (ask this about 3-4 months before publication)?

19. If you aren’t sure about this, and your book is a hardcover, ask: Is there a paperback edition of my book planned? If so, what is the publication date? (This should be in your contract, but you must stay on top of it in case a publisher decides that a paperback doesn’t make sense)

20. If the publisher acquired world rights, ask: Has the book been sold in foreign territories? If so, who is publishing it and when?

21. How do you see my book being pitched to the media?

22. Will I see a draft of the press materials before sending them out?

23. Are you planning any paid promotion for my book? If so, when and where?

24. When should I expect royalty statements?

25. If you have media contacts: Will you send books to my contacts if I supply addresses?

26. Does the publicity department help place essays or opinion pieces?

27. If I hire an outside publicist, will your publicity department supply them with ARCs and finished books?

28. Will my book appear in any promotional emails the publisher sends?

29. If appropriate for your book: Do you have an academic marketing department, and will they pitch my book for course adaptation?

30. Do you market to libraries? How will I know if libraries are carrying my book?

31. Do you market to any professional associations that align with my book?

32. Will you market my book at conferences like regional trade shows and the ALA (American Library Association) shows?

33. Will the publicity department submit me for book festivals, and will it cover the cost of my attendance?

34. What should I expect the week my book is published?

35. Do you encourage pre-order campaigns? If so, how does the publisher help?

I hope you found this helpful. Lengthier pieces are on the horizon, and Book Therapy will resume this Friday!

REMINDER:

Publishing Confidential University’s first course is “Defining Your Audience,” and is broken down into three 60-90 minute sessions on March 5, 13, and 20. We will discuss identifying, connecting with, and retaining the audience for your book. The cost is $60 (total), and you can register here.