Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents, 29th Edition: Who They Are, What They Want, How to Win Them Over

by Jeff Herman

Overview

If you want to get published, read this book!

Jeff Herman’s Guide unmasks nonsense, clears confusion, and unlocks secret doorways to success for new and veteran writers! This highly respected resource is used by publishing insiders everywhere and has been read by millions all over the world. Countless writers have turned to this book to figure out how to decipher the hidden codes to getting published. It reveals:

• tools to discern and exploit the rapidly changing publishing environment
• the crucial differences between independent houses and the “Big 5” publishers
• hard truths about self-publishing
• names, interests, and contact information of hundreds of agents and editors
• how writers unwittingly disqualify themselves from the consideration they deserve, and how to optimize chances with agents
• critical thinking skills for outside-the-box publishing strategies
• the nuts and bolts of superior query letters and proposals
• how to spot and avoid ever-more-prevalent scams
• the value of “book doctors” and when to consider hiring them
• what to do — and not do — once you’ve got an editor or publisher interested

Herman’s book remains the go-to guide for everything anyone ever wanted to know about book publishing.

Comprehensive index lists dozens of subjects and categories to help you find the perfect publisher or agent.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608687886
Publisher:	New World Library
Publication date:	01/03/2023
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	178,259
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Jeff Herman, a successful literary agent, has sold more than a thousand books to dozens of publishers and, since 1990, has mentored millions of writers through this guidebook.

JeffHerman.com

Table of Contents

Introduction Jeff Herman ix

Part 1 Advice for Writers

Introduction: Perfectly Imperfect Advice and Random Thoughts Jeff Herman 3

Why Do You Want to Write? Jeff Herman 5

Literary Agents? Jeff Herman 8

Editors? Jeff Herman 19

Publishers? Jeff Herman 24

Write the Perfect Query Letter Jeff Herman Deborah Herman 29

Pitching to Agents and Editors (aka "Trolls") Jeff Herman 35

You (Might) Belong in the Slush Pile (or Elsewhere) Jeff Herman 40

The Knockout Nonfiction Book Proposal Jeff Herman 46

Platforms: No Writer Left Behind Jeff Herman Deborah Herman 52

When Nothing Happens to Good (or Bad) Writers: aka Ignored Writer Syndrome (IWS) Jeff Herman 58

Secrets of Ghostwriting Success Toni Robino 60

The Sleep Wars Jeff Herman 66

The Writer vs. Power Jeff Herman 71

The Writers Journey: The Path of the Spiritual Messenger Deborah Herman 75

Tribulations of the Unknown Writer (and Possible Remedies) Jeff Herman 80

Post-publication Depression Syndrome (PPDS) Jeff Herman 84

The Business of Writing Jeff Herman 86

Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing Five Years from Now Jeff Herman 97

Creativity Exercises for Writers Jeff Herman 101

Part 2 Literary Agents

Introduction: Planet Literary Agent Jeff Herman 107

The Listings 109

Part 3 Publishing Conglomerates

Introduction: Publishing Conglomerates (aka the Big 5) Jeff Herman 225

The Listings 228

Hachette Book Group 228

HarperCollins Publishers 237

Macmillan Publishers 250

Penguin Random House 261

Simon & Schuster 279

Part 4 Independent Presses

Introduction: Planet Independent Jeff Herman 297

The Listings 300

Part 5 Freelance Editors

Introduction: Editors vs. Scammers Jeff Herman 331

An Editor of One's Own | Members of Words into Print 334

When to Call the (Book) Doctor Sandi Gelles-Cole 340

Trust and Perfect Fit Michael Wilde 343

The Listings 346

Acknowledgments 357

Glossary 358

Index 383

Advice for Writers 383

Publishers and Imprints 385

Agents and Agencies 387

Independent Editors 388

Publishers, Imprints, and Agents by Subject 389

About the Author 421

Editorial Reviews

I highly recommend Jeff Herman’s Guide. It was the most helpful book I bought about how to get published.”
— Nicholas Sparks, New York Times bestselling author of Dreamland and The Notebook

“Nothing beats Jeff Herman’s Guide.”
— Jack Canfield, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

“Jeff Herman has done a service to every writer who wants to make a living in this business. Every author should have a copy on their shelf.”
— Chip MacGregor, literary agent

“Everything you need to get started.”
— Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of Stand Up for Your Life

“Jeff Herman’s Guide remains the Rosetta Stone of writerly success.”
— James Broderick, PhD, Bookpleasures.com

“I got my agent by using this guide!”
— Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author of The Princess Diaries

“When you get to the ‘finding the agent’ stage, check out Jeff Herman’s Guide. I found it very useful because it gives more background on agents. Keep in mind that publishing is very personality driven.”
— Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love

“I sent my proposal and sample pages to ten agents selected from Jeff Herman’s Guide and was shocked to receive interest from three of them. I celebrated when I signed with an agent and again when my first book was sold.”
— Jacqueline Winspear, New York Times bestselling author of Maisie Dobbs

“Here’s my two cents: I used Jeff Herman’s Guide. It includes a huge list of agents, interviews about what they are looking for, and useful info on big and small presses.”
— Kristy Woodson Harvey, author of Lies and Other Acts of Love

“If you are only going to get one book on this subject, Jeff Herman’s Guide is the one I recommend. When I was looking for an agent, this was the book that showed me how. The only thing is, you have to do what it says.”
— Marie Bostwick, author of Between Heaven and Texas

From the Publisher