How To Pitch Publishers In 10 Simple Steps

Pitching your book to publishers can feel intimidating—it’s easy to wonder if you have everything right or if your work will stand out from the pile. Feeling overwhelmed by what publishers want or worrying you’ve missed something vital is completely normal (seriously, we’ve all been there).

But relax, you’re in the right place. I’m going to walk you through exactly what to do so you can confidently pitch your book, get noticed by publishers, and give your manuscript the attention it deserves.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll learn in 10 simple steps.

Step 1: Finish Your Manuscript or Book Proposal

First things first, you’ve got to have something finished before pitching a publisher.

If you’re pitching nonfiction, you’re typically fine with a detailed book proposal, including chapter outlines, sample chapters, and a clear plan for marketing and audience attraction.

For fiction, publishers usually want to see a fully completed manuscript, so don’t approach them unless you’ve got that final draft polished up.

Feeling stuck or need inspiration as you tackle those last tricky chapters? Try exploring some winter writing prompts to spark creative ideas.

Make sure you’ve revised and edited your work carefully because publisher inboxes are jam-packed; you only get one chance to make the best impression possible.

Step 2: Find Publishers That Match Your Genre

Now that you’ve got your manuscript ready, you need to find publishers who fit your genre and vibe.

Check publishers’ recent releases, visiting bookstore shelves or checking out their websites to see what they’re actively publishing.

Since market trends show children’s books and YA fiction are currently seeing better growth compared to declining adult fiction sales, understanding what’s popular will help you position your pitch effectively.

Debut authors can find great opportunities among midsize publishers, who might be more willing to take a risk on new talent compared to giant publishing houses.

You don’t have to rely solely on traditional big-league publishers: take a look at some of the best publishers for new authors who are actively looking for fresh voices.

Step 3: Understand Each Publisher’s Submission Process

Every publisher has its own rules for how they want you to approach them, so respect their guidelines and submission processes to avoid immediate rejection—no kidding, they can be super picky about this.

Visit their websites, look under “submissions” pages, or check their FAQs—some publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts through online submission portals, while others prefer email or even require snail mail.

Tricky submission guides can feel intimidating, but consider yourself lucky when publishers give clear instructions.

If no specific guidelines exist, consider reaching out politely via email to confirm how and to whom you should send your manuscript.

Remember, each publishing house is unique; tweak your submission materials slightly for each place you submit to, keeping their preferred style and tone in mind.

If you’re unsure about how to navigate these processes without an agent, here’s a helpful resource that shows you how to get a book published without an agent.

Step 4: Write a Short and Clear Pitch

Simply put, writing a short and clear pitch means summing up your book quickly, clearly, and compellingly.

Think of it as your book’s elevator pitch—something you’d comfortably explain to a friend between two floors.

Keep your pitch concise, ideally between 100-250 words, covering the core hook, main characters (for fiction), central premise, and target audience.

Here’s where specifics and direct language are your best friend—say goodbye to vague descriptions and literary fluff for now.

For example, instead of writing “a timeless journey of self-improvement,” say “a practical guide filled with daily exercises and actionable tips to build new habits.”

Don’t worry about telling every detail; publishers just want an immediate sense of what’s unique about your work.

Step 5: Make Your Book Stand Out From Others

With publishers carefully watching the market, especially given the modest 0.6% growth projected for the book publishing industry by 2025—including a 1.2% bump expected in that year alone—standing out becomes critical.

To make your book irresistible, clearly define your unique selling point—that special ingredient setting your manuscript apart from the hundreds publishers receive every week.

Maybe you’re dealing with an overlooked but fascinating historical event, or maybe your manuscript offers narrative voices that haven’t been widely represented yet—publishers love fresh angles.

If you’re writing children’s or YA books, you’re in luck because those genres are still seeing healthy sales growth, offering a nice attention-grabber in your pitch.

If you’re unsure how to position your book uniquely on the market, you might find inspiration in these realistic fiction writing prompts to boost your creativity.

Step 6: Gather Your Supporting Documents

Having additional supporting documents handy can make your manuscript submission look polished and professional.

Common documents publishers appreciate include an author bio with relevant experience, a concise synopsis, comparative titles (“comp-titles”) that show how your book fits into the market, and even a rough marketing plan showing your initiative.

Think realistically and practically—if you’re unsure how to craft an engaging bio, have a look at these short author bio examples to create something sharp and appealing.

Also, remember to follow guidelines—the publisher might explicitly request specific supporting material, like a separate summary document or character sheets.

Step 7: Draft a Professional Email or Cover Letter

Your cover letter or submission email is the publisher’s first impression of you (and your professionalism), so spend extra time to make sure it shines without seeming artificial or overly formal.

Start with a polite greeting and briefly state the reason for your message—for instance, “I’m submitting my completed YA fantasy novel titled [Book’s Name] for your consideration.”

In a few sentences, mention why you’ve chosen their publishing company and how your manuscript fits their publishing history or current catalog.

Quickly summarize your pitch (again, this should be even shorter than your initial pitch, typically around two sentences).

Wrap it up simply—thank them for their time and clearly provide your full contact details.

Step 8: Submit Your Pitch Following All Guidelines Carefully

This part sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how easily it’s overlooked: submit exactly as outlined by the publisher—even if that means snail mailing your manuscript in the age of digital submissions.

Triple-check instructions, whether they’re asking you to paste your manuscript into an email, send it as an attachment, or use a specific submission tool on their website.

Keep copies or records of your submission in a clearly labeled folder on your computer, including dates and any specific responses from publishers, so you can keep track easily.

Step 9: Practice Your Pitch for Meetings or Events

Publishers appreciate authors with confident communication skills, especially in face-to-face pitches or meetings.

Practice speaking your pitch aloud, comfortably and clearly, until you can say it conversationally without sounding like you’re reading from a script.

If possible, attend writing seminars, networking events, author meetups, or writer’s conferences—these places provide chances to practice your pitch spontaneously with different people.

If you’re nervous about impromptu conversations, remember that people mostly want to know why you wrote the book, what’s interesting about it, and who’d be interested in reading it—but naturally and casually conversational, not forced.

Step 10: Follow Up With Publishers at the Right Time

Publishers often get inundated, so expect some waiting—it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the publisher’s stated guidelines.

If you haven’t received a reply within the publisher’s suggested timeline, it’s fine—and often appreciated—to send a polite, friendly follow-up email.

A follow-up should simply restate your title, genre, and a quick mention of when you submitted originally.

You’re not being pushy if you do it once, and it shows organization and initiative.

If you still haven’t heard back after following up, it might be wise to broaden your options—there are plenty of great midsize publishers and even options to publish your book as an audiobook or e-book, considering 2022 saw a 12.4% increase in e-book revenues and a 16.5% jump in audiobook revenues.

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