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Can overseas writers get published locally?

direstraits

Well-Known Member
I suppose what I'm trying to ask is: Is there any way an overseas writer, writing in English, can get published by big publishing houses in either US or UK - purely on the strength of the manuscript alone?

Will the publishers look past the physical boundaries separating the product and themselves? Or are there other factors to consider - i.e. an agent located locally, etc?

Assume that I don't want to approach publishers in my own country, because I do not believe they have the marketing or the reach. Also assume I'm not self-publishing.

Any comments?

ds

p.s. No, I don't have a novel to sell. :D Just curious.
 
Absolutely you (or whoever) can sell on the strength of the manuscript. Amy Tan did with her first book. So did Suzannah Clarke! While an agent is terrific if you can get one, there really are live people opening those slush pile offerings! :D
 
I've read accounts of publishers who receive mountainous loads of manuscripts everyday, and that they won't even open stuff that doesn't come from reputable or influential agents. The feeling I get is you've got to be extremely lucky to have your manuscript read and appraised for publication without being shepherded to people's attention by agents.

(I read this typically from Self-Publishing Howtos or manuals)

ds
 
Well, it is true that there are a number of publishers who have stopped accepting manuscripts from unagented writers (we're agented now, but weren't when the book was first accepted). But there are still plenty of publishers who do look at new writers! If someone is interested in finding such a publisher, I would recommend the 2005 Writer's Market. It's published by Writer's Digest magazine and covers every publisher (including electronic publishers) in the U.S. and Canada. It also has agents, and is broken down by genre. Great publication. Even though I'm published now, I still buy it every year for the super articles.
 
Good Luck

Hi! Cie here (Cathy's co-author). I didn't post because, basically, she told you what I would have. :) But I want to wish you luck in getting published.


Cie
 
Thanks Cie... but I don't have anything to sell. :) I wish I had though, if only for the distinction of actually having written a book. :D


ds
 
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