Hi everybody! Intro - and a question

[Elizabeth]

Hi everybody! My name is Liz. I just finished up my manuscript for a self-help/motivation book that I am writing. I've done self-publishing in the past but it's my goal to get my books out into the mainstream.

I told a friend of mine I finished my manuscript, and she told me she has some contacts at some pretty popular publishing houses. She sent the names over to me of some publicity directors at these publishing companies, that specialize in the exact genre I am writing for. I am so grateful for this! One of the companies, for example, does not require agented submissions. My question: Should I still submit my manuscript electronically at the email given on their website, and just mention the person's name? Or, should I send my manuscript directly to the publicity director that my friend knows, and mention my friend, and have them forward it to the submissions team? What should I say in the email? Thank you!!!!

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Hello Have you looked up their individual submission policies? @AgentPete, @Brian Clegg and others here may be far better qualified to help, but I'd have thought, put your query together as per non-fiction books, - lots of guidelines out there on how to do that. You could simply use their stated procedure but address your query to that particular individual, not omitting to mention your friend in your covering email/letter.

The publisher's guidelines will probably indicate what they expect to see in your covering email.

What is the book about?

 

[AgentPete]

Hello Elizabeth, welcome!

 

[Richard Turner]

Welcome to an enthusiastic young woman from a grumpy old man! There's all sorts here.

 

[Boopadoo]

Hello and welcome from a fellow denizen of New York State.

 

[Bluma Bezbroda]

Welcome!

 

[AgentPete]

Welcome to an enthusiastic young woman from a grumpy old man! There's all sorts here.

He's not that grumpy. Not always

 

[Island Writer]

Hi Liz - welcome aboard. Congrats on completing your self-help book.

 

[Carol Rose]

Welcome!!

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Welcome! Congratulations on finishing your book!

 

[Lex Black]

Welcome to the Colony!

 

[Peggy Lou]

Welcome and congratulations. Good luck too.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Welcome to the Colony.

 

[Lawal]

Your name is Nobel, excellently eloquent Elizabeth. Welcome there, it's awesome here.

 

[Brian Clegg]

My question: Should I still submit my manuscript electronically at the email given on their website, and just mention the person's name? Or, should I send my manuscript directly to the publicity director that my friend knows, and mention my friend, and have them forward it to the submissions team? What should I say in the email? Thank you!!!!

Hi Liz and welcome. I've had quite a few non-fiction books published, both unagented and agented. Personally, I wouldn't try to submit via a publicity director unless you know them personally too (in which case I'd ask them first, rather try to submit through them). As mentioned above there's plenty available giving guidance on submitting non-fiction.

 

[Patricia D]

Hello Liz, welcome.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Where did she go......

 

[Sea-shore]

Welcome Liz!