Thread by @BookwormVaught

Thread. I know some #writers research & query at the weekend, so here: on independent - indie - #publishers. Clarification: authors who self-publish (good option) also call themselves indie, but here I'm referring to independent publishers. Get a drink and snack. I'm going in

https://twitter.com/BookwormVaught/status/1618930962452353025

1. Indie publishers are sometimes called indie presses or small publishers or small presses. What is this thing? A publisher that operates on its own, & is not part of any large corporation or conglomerate. They may be tiny - but not all; Bloomsbury; Canongate, for example

2. A lot of indie publishers allow you to query your book without an agent, but not all. Some may be open to queries year round and some have defined submissions windows - or occasionally a surprise submission window. Be on your toes: these are NOT always advertised in advance

3. Some indies will allow an agent to submit your work year-round, but have unagented windows for you, solo. Again, keep on yout toes. Be aware that sometimes indie pubs will not work with an agent. Maybe it's noted on a website, or just being aware of socials to find out

3. Continued. There are things for which you may want or need an agent, but YOU can still do lots. This is a whole new thread. I have many ideas and surprising information and I will show you what we've evolved down our way. KEY though: what you don't want is avenues cut off

4. If you look for the tweet embedded at the start of this thread, I've introduced you to 2 newish indies, one of which has sprang from the creation of another. Your key resource - plus staying aware? Here: 3rd is out, pre-order 4th any day now: mslexia.co.uk/writing-guides…

5. Remember that indie press is not only fiction, but all genres and forms, a vast array of journals and literary magazines and if you look at the @Mslexia guide, you will see the lot. Guidelines, info, interests, samples of books: add your own due diligence and research

6. If querying, put as much care & attention into it as you would for an agent query. I think it's a lovely thing to buy a book from them while you're at it. Their margins are very different from the big guns and there is stunning work: go and explore. Buy from an indie bookshop?

7. Remember that when agents send your work on submission, the role of the editor they're approaching is key for your particular book. Sometimes that IS at an indie publisher. You'd think from some of the chat about agents that they only sub to big 5. Not so. Depends on the book

8. Back to research. Querying work is demanding BUT you save time and stress if you research, for which there is no shortcut, alas. Primarily, have a good look at the books they publish and, unless openly invited to play a wild card, think about the fit; the books they like

9. If you are already/become agented, could you come to an arrangement whereby you query some indies on your own if it's not a good fit for your agent? Yes BUT this is a conversation to have with your agent. Dialogue and long haul approach are key. There is NOT just one model

10. What about me? I'm building a mix because of interests, pace at which I work and background. My agent is involved in the lot, keeping an eye and advising; rights might also be shared. It's interesting!
Any questions on indie presses? Or stuff I can help with? Shoot x

BONUS tweets. A BIG inependent may be agented only for fiction, but NOT for other categories, so do your finding out methodically. So, academic bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/bl… BUT ALSO bloomsbury.com/uk/connect/con….

So you discover that a star like Bloomsbury will accept unsolicited, unagented submissions in specific non-fic areas. So, when you are researching, leave no stone unturned!