Finding a Publisher

 

Every week I'm asked for advice about how to find a publisher or agent. Here's where to start. The information is current as of late 2011.

1. Literary Agents
Not all Australian publishers are open to unsolicited submissions, though all are accepting submissions from literary agents. To find a literary agent, which can be very hard to do, begin here (note that there may be other agents not on this list):
http://austlitagentsassoc.com.au/

2. Publishers Currently Taking Unsolicited Submissions
The following Aussie print publishers are presently taking unsolicited manuscripts. Make sure you check their submission guidelines carefully. And before you submit, see my blog post, What Publishers Hate:
http://ianirvine.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-publishers-hate.html

Allen and Unwin, adult fiction and non-fiction (Note that presently they are NOT accepting unsolicited submissions for children's and YA fiction), through their longstanding Friday pitch:
http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=462

Pan Macmillan, which has just started a similar thing, Manuscript Monday:
http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/manuscript_monday.asp

Penguin Books Children and Young Adults Div. This is the division of Penguin that published most of my epic fantasy novels. (Note that the adult Division of Penguin is NOT accepting unsolicited submissions):
http://www.penguin.com.au/getting-published

Hachette Australia is accepting submissions for children's picture books and Young Adult fiction (but is NOT accepting unsolicited submissions for adult fiction):
http://www.hachettechildrens.com.au/submissions/

Random House Australia is only accepting submissions from unpublished authors in certain circumstances. See here for adult fiction:
http://www.randomhouse.com.au/FAQ/#UNSOLICITEDMANUSCRIPT
And here for children's fiction:
http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Default.aspx?Page=General&Section=submissionguidelines

Scholastic Australia is accepting submissions for children's books though the wait will be lengthy. Note, Scholastic DOES NOT publish books for adults:
http://www.scholastic.com.au/corporate/manuscript.asp

A new, independent Aussie speculative fiction publisher of ebooks, Hague Publishing is looking for manuscripts:
http://www.haguepublishing.com/

3. Advice, Assistance and SupportThere are many other publishers in Australia. For a more comprehensive list, see:
http://www.bookdoctor.com.au/fiction.html

See also the Australian Writer's Marketplace for a comprehensive guide to writing and publishing networks, opportunities and markets, with over 2,100 current listings in print and online.
www.awmonline.com.au

The various state writer's centres provide writing courses and events where you can meet professional writers, attend seminars and literary events, meet like-minded writers, get advice and mentorships, and find manuscript assessment services: