How to Publish a Nursing Book
You may have a great idea for a nursing book or even a complete manuscript. You want to get your book published, but you're not sure of the next step. The publishing field can be daunting if you're never written a book before. There are even scams that can trap aspiring authors. Fortunately you can find a legitimate publisher for your nursing book if you are willing to put in the time and effort.
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Instructions
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Complete a proposal for your nursing book and at least two or three chapters. Proposals typically include an overview of your book's contents, a list of competing books and what makes yours unique, the potential market and a table of contents. List any special qualifications you have for writing about nursing, such as a degree or professional experience. You will need the proposal even if you have a finished manuscript. Nursing books are non-fiction, which means you must submit your proposal to potential publishers first.
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Find a list of companies that publish nursing books. You can find them in a market guide like Writers Market, which is available in book form or as an online subscription. You can also visit a large bookstore or an online book-selling website, look up nursing books similar to yours and write down the publishers.
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Look up the current submission guidelines for the publishers on your list. Most will have this information on their websites. Call them if you cannot find it. They will most likely want your proposal, and some will also want sample chapters from your nursing book. Some may allow electronic submissions while others may only accept mailed proposals.
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Submit your nursing book proposal to the publishers, following their individual instructions. Make a note of the date on which you send your proposals and the publisher's stated response time if you found one in your research.
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Follow up on submissions that do not receive a response within the stated time. Publishers can get overwhelmed, so you may want to allow two to four additional weeks before sending a follow-up letter or email.
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Continue to find more potential publishers and keep sending out your nursing book proposal. Interested publishers will ask to see the whole manuscript, so send it out whenever it is requested. Repeat the process until a publisher offers to buy your nursing book and sends a contract.
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Have a lawyer with publishing experience review the contract. Sign it and return it if the terms are acceptable. Otherwise, decline the offer and ask if the publisher is willing to negotiate. If not, continue your search.
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Tips & Warnings
You may wish to get an agent rather than marketing your nursing book proposal yourself. The agent will take a percentage of your earnings, but she will also do all the work of finding a publisher and getting the best deal for you. You will need to submit your proposal to likely agents until you find one who will take you as a client. Agent Query warns that you should never deal with an agent who asks for a fee. Her money should only come from selling your book.
Never have your nursing book published by a company that asks you for money. Book Printing Source warns that reputable publishers will never ask for upfront fees. The publisher should be paying you in the form of an advance and royalties on book sales. Paid publishers used to be known as "vanity publishers," but Book Printing Source says they may refer to themselves as "co-ops" or "joint ventures" who want you to "invest" in your book.The name doesn't matter; the distinguishing mark is a payment request.
