Have there been instances where you wished you had some sort of heads-up about something in a book? Are there things that are hard no’s, where if a book contains anything relating to that subject matter, you won’t touch it? Are there things that are okay in certain situations or if you’re in the right headspace? Keeping these warnings in mind can prepare you and arm you with tools to decide whether or not you’d like to continue at a later date or pass altogether.
Acquisitions
How Presses in China Acquire Translated Books from Other Countries
By Xian Wang
Translating books contributes to the exchange of ideas and dialogue between cultures and nations. Presses in China publish a large amount of translated books, both in the public domain and newly acquired books. Let’s take a look at how they handle foreign rights.
Getting Published: The Magic of the First Page
By Sarah Moffatt
According to Michael Shymanski, one of Ooligan’s Acquisitions Managers, think of your first page as the reader’s initial impression, much like “meeting your friend’s spouse for the first time.” First impressions can be insignificant, even disastrous, or they can be absolute magic. If the magic is there, an editor will know it immediately.
Community Outreach to Find Hidden Gems
By Jennifer Ladwig and Michael Shymanski
Ooligan Press receives many unsolicited submissions through our Submittable from authors all over the world looking to get their books published. Despite the traffic our Submittable receives, there are times where the works we have received do not provide the press with the manuscripts we need. This is where community outreach comes into play.
Competitive versus Comparative Titles
By Jennifer Ladwig
One of the perhaps forgotten challenges to writing and publishing books is explaining to others what it’s about. In the publishing world, this struggle is combated with what we know as “comp titles,” which Penguin Random House defines as “an elevator pitch for your book.”
The How and Why of Mission Statements
By Jennifer Ladwig and Michael Shymanski
With millions upon millions of people in the United States who think they have the next New York Times best seller, how can a publishing company find the diamond in the rough? What can a publishing house do to ensure they are receiving submissions for books they actually can and want to publish? The most effective way a publishing house can convey this information to an author is through the company’s mission statement.