Do sci fi publishers want a trilogy?

[Hugh]

Should I wait to send out queries until I have an entire trilogy written, or should I go ahead with a single manuscript?

Also, is there a format that is most widely used these days? Back in high school, (70's/80's), I was taught how to properly type up a manuscript with an IBM Selectric. I imagine that I need a certain word processing software and probably a specific format. I'll also have drawings of the space ships and soldier's equipment. How do I submit the illustrations?

My manuscript will be a space opera, who is the biggest publisher in this area?

 

[The Mythwriter]

I confess to knowing very little in this field, but I think most publishers don't necessarily want the whole trilogy at once. Some may, but from what I understand from other authors, most of the time they get one published then write the next. Every publisher has different preferences. An outline of the whole trilogy plot might be useful, though.

As for the format, up until you spoke of specifics I would have imagined that your basic MS Word word would be fine, just changed font and size to whatever is professional and/or what the publisher may prefer.

Hmm, best publisher, I know Random House publishes practically everything genre-wise, including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and they own a lot of smaller, more genre-specific companies. Try looking at books similar to yours in the genre and see if some publishers show up more. But if anyone publishes you, you're out there, so submit submit submit. Finally, keep in mind that a company's interest changes with the times. One month they may want a sci-fi, another they'll turn Asimov down because they want Twilight.

This is all pretty general, and others will have better (and more accurate) advice, but I hope something helps.

 

[PlaypitsPark]

Not a trilogy, no. Just try to get one book published, the shorter the better.