The Best Books on Getting Published: Learn How to Score a Publishing Deal

A Robin Williams movie reference coming later. . . .

But you landed here because you’re writing a book and you’re interested in getting a traditional publishing deal.

whether you want a book deal with one of the “Big 5” publishing houses, another trade publisher or small press, or a university press—it helps to know how the process works and what agents and editors are looking for.

I’m recommending some great books, below, that will help you big time! Yes, the best books on getting published are shown below.

I’ve written other articles—on how to get a “Big 5” publishing deal, on what questions to ask literary agents, and on book proposal editing and coaching—that you might also be interested in. And there’s the List of Nonfiction Publishers (in the US) that’ll help you find your match.

The logo of HarperCollins, a publisher known for its imprints Amistad, Ecco, Harper Business, Dey Street Books, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin books, and more.

In short, you don’t necessarily need an agent to be traditionally-published.

The Big 5—in the US, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster—require that authors have agents and many other large publishers do, too.

Many other presses allow or even encourage authors to pitch their books directly.

Whether or not you use an agent, I’d like to recommend the best books on how to get a publishing deal.

These are the best books on how to get published and and worth having if you want to know how to write a query and proposal and what agents and editors are looking for and what to expect when finding an agent and a publisher for your book.

Find a publisher for your book.

Get the full, up-to-date list of big 5, non-big-5 trade publishers, and other presses accepting unsolicited manuscripts.

If you’re looking for the best advice on how to find an agent or get published, these are the books I have read and still refer to from time to time. I trust the information they offer, and I recommend to my nonfiction editing and book coaching clients.

To learn more about hiring a book proposal editor or coach, click here.

They’re readily available for purchase and many libraries have, or can get, copies of these books, too.

How to Get a Publishing Contract: A brief reminder

What you need: an agent (depending on the publisher) a query, a proposal, a manuscript (or at least some of it), patience, a large following or indicator of future sales, a clue.

With very few exceptions, getting a publishing deal with a Big 5 imprint requires an author (through a literary agent) to submit a query and, if invited, a formal proposal and/or manuscript. Getting an agent typically requires a query and a proposal, as well.

Every bit of writing has to be excellent. Your manuscript has to be a fit for that publisher. And it needs to be pitched at the right place and at the right time (which might be beyond your control or knowledge).

Not only that, but you often need a large following, credibility, and a solid plan for marketing the book.

Remember Mrs. Doubtfire? “Help is on the way, dear.”

Gif of Mrs. Doubtfire: "help is on the way, dear," referring to book proposal editing for authors

While you can (and should) get one or more of those books I recommended,

You should also consider hiring an editor or author coach to advise you and get you ready to pitch your book or taking the Step-by-Step Traditional Publishing course.

It’s money well spent, especially for first-time authors or authors who’ve never traditionally published before!

As part of my nonfiction editing services,

I offer nonfiction book proposal editing for American nonfiction authors.

We can write and edit and sharpen your nonfiction book proposal and, for an additional fee, come up with a plan for where (or to whom) to pitch that book.

Authors, PublishingDaniel J. Tortoraauthor tips, traditional publishing, nonfiction, publishers, print books, writing, agents