Benefits of Choosing a US-Based Publishing Company
If you’re here, then you’ve either finished your book or you’re about ready to. That’s a huge achievement—congratulations!
But don’t kick your feet up just yet. There are still some steps to take to get your book into the hands of your future readers. To get started, let’s examine what you might want to consider when choosing the publishing company for your book.
It’s important to find a publisher who offers the right publishing options for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a publisher who provides comprehensive publishing services or you simply require editing services and proofreading, there’s a lot to think about.
And if you are targeting your book to a US-based readership, you’ll want to prioritize the benefits of choosing a US-based publishing company. Doing so can help you achieve the literary success you desire in the US market.
What a US-based publishing company can do for you
Experienced writers know that making the right choice of publisher by vetting editing services is crucial to getting their book on the market. Publishers are responsible for many tasks. These include not only editing and proofreading but also formatting, design, and marketing.
Regardless of whether you’re writing nonfiction or science fiction, your goal is to get your book into the hands of as many readers as possible. So, naturally, you want to include US readers as part of your readership. The United States makes up one of the largest publishing markets in the world, so a US-based publishing company can provide some great advantages in your publication journey.
Easy market access
The publishing companies who have the most experience with the US market are—unsurprisingly—the ones based in the United States. So if think your e-book or print book has the potential to be the next best seller, go with a publishing company who knows how to promote your book on the US market.
While e-books have been growing in popularity in recent years, print books still make up a considerable percentage of the market. Traditional publishing companies are the most reliable channels for authors to generate print sales, which account for 80 percent of the industry’s revenue. Also, traditional publishers based in the United States have connections with the distributors and retailers who’ll sell your book.
Though some authors self-publish, traditional United States publishers have the know-how to produce strong sales. It’s important to keep in mind that publishing goes beyond editing. When it comes to promoting your book, whether on social media or by touring, US-based publishers use all the resources at their fingertips to market effectively.
Expert editing services
For aspiring writers and veteran author alike, no one expects your manuscript to be perfect. There will be mistakes, including typos, punctuation errors, and misspellings. In other cases, editors will even point out sections that need rewriting, restructuring, or other revisions.
Not all editing services are the same. Most publishers offer various levels of editing services, including line editing, copyediting, and content editing. Especially for newer authors, developmental editors can be very helpful, as they review all elements of your writing, from individual words to overall structure.
Visibility
When selecting a publishing company, look for one experienced in promoting books in your preferred market. With US-based companies, your book publisher lives and works in one of the largest publishing industry markets worldwide. Having this intimate exposure to and staying abreast of trends in the US market keeps US-based publishing companies knowledgeable of the best ways to promote your writing.
Book publishing is not the only area in which US-based companies offer a leg up. If you have a musical composition or recording you want to publish, music publishers can provide you with the right tools to stand out above the competition. Better visibility as offered through experienced music publishing companies can drive new business. This ultimately increases your share of performance royalties.
Whether you’re using new advertising routes like social media or traditional advertising to promote your books or publications, make your message clear and strong. With a superb command over the cultural aspects of the US marketplace, publishing experts at US-based companies can ensure your advertising campaign speaks to your target audience in the way you want.
Importance of using editors fluent in English
Words matter. Small publishers and large publishing houses alike know this. That’s why they hire publishing experts fluent in the primary language or languages of their target audience.
It’s no secret that every language comes with its own intricacies and quirks. Anyone who has tried learning a second language knows that it isn’t easy to pick up on all of these subtleties. Native and long-time speakers of English have the advantage of understanding these nuances.
Authors who write in their nonnative language may struggle to find the right words to express themselves. But it’s natural to make mistakes. Even native English speakers need editors to check their work to reduce wordiness and make sure grammar and punctuation are correct.
US-based publishing companies have the language mastery it takes to make your work catch the attention of your future readers.
Consider how you say it
Find a catchy way to market your manuscript. Leverage your unique authorial style and voice. The right publishing company for your book should be able to invoke the appropriate images and ideas for your readers.
Editors working in the US market know how to keep the audience engaged and will provide their expertise when it comes to the right tone and style.
Avoid marketing mistakes
Unintentional albeit improper use of your target audience’s language can be embarrassing. Knowing English does not make you a master of it. Poor word choice in marketing can have a detrimental effect on sales and an author’s reputation.
Here is a great example of a potential fashion marketing mishap a person might make and that they could avoid by consulting a long-time English speaker. In German-speaking countries, body bag is the term used in the fashion world to refer to a sling bag worn by men. But advertising sling bags as body bags to a US market could raise some eyebrows.
You can prevent marketing mistakes like this by picking a publisher who has full awareness and understanding of American English. By choosing a US-based publishing company, you can rest assured that you’ll have an experienced English speaker editing your draft. In this way, you can avoid additional costs in terms of lost sales and remedies to repair your image resulting from inadequate knowledge of the English language.
Create a natural feel
Avoiding embarrassment is not the only reason English as a first language is important in the US publishing industry. Especially if English is not your native language, you will want to create the same feeling you’d want to get across to your audience in your native language. If your readers are stumbling over odd phrases and verbiage, there is a good chance they will lose interest quickly.
Publishers can provide the level of editing needed to establish a good flow that reads easily. Sometimes entire passages and pages may need reworking. Other times minor changes, such as adding a comma or picking a different word, are all it takes to alter the tone of the message.
There are even differences between varieties of English. For example, the very popular Harry Potter series created by J. K. Rowling was published in two versions: one for British English and one for American English. Such is evident in the title of the first book, where “Philosopher’s Stone” was changed to “Sorcerer’s Stone” for the US audience—and both were huge successes.
When you are publishing your book on the US market, you want to make sure nothing gets lost or warped in translation. You can rely on US-based line editors and copyeditors to generate the look, voice, tone, and feel that are appropriate for your target audience.
How to determine that a publishing company is based in the United States
Make sure that the publishing company you select is in the United States if you want to have the most success on the US market. Sometimes it can be difficult to find an address for the company. Here are some tips to make this process less challenging.
Ask your agent
If you are working with a literary agency, your agent should be able to tell you where the publishing company is based. If your literary agent is not based in the United States, you may want to request that the publisher be located in the United States.
Company research
If you do not have a literary agent, you will need to do your own research. Does the publisher have a US address and phone number? Many publishers also have an “About” section on their website where you can find additional information about the company.
Contact the publisher
If you are still unsure of where a publisher is based, contact the publisher. Many publishers will be happy to answer your questions.
Best US-based publishing companies for new writers
If you are a new writer, you may want to consider hiring a literary agent. A literary agent will help you land a book deal with one of the many publishers out there. Whether you are using a literary agent or not, here is what to look for in selecting the best publishing company for your needs.
Comprehensive services
Whether you are interested in traditional publishing or becoming a self-published author, publishing companies make it easy for you to get your manuscript out to the public. They will handle everything from polishing up the draft to formatting and designing the book cover to promoting your book. Some will even help boost your online presence by offering social media services.
Another thing authors should consider is getting an international standard book number, or ISBN. The national ISBN agency responsible for the country where the publisher is based will assign the ISBN. If you want a US ISBN, US-based publishers will be able to get one for you.
Sharing the workload
Being an independent publisher sounds easy and romantic, but the grass is not always greener. One of the options for authors is to use a self-publishing company. And, if you’re thinking of working completely as an indie author, keep in mind that having a publisher will take some of the weight off your shoulders, leaving you with more freedom to focus on writing.
Professional editors
Publishing companies have experienced editors who work closely with authors. Good publishers will be able to work attentively with you as you transform your draft manuscript into a polished product poised to fly off the shelves.
On the shelves in no time
By now you will have learned why choosing a US-based publishing company is the best way to get your book to sell on the US market. Publishers based in the United States can give you confidence that your book will speak to your readers in the way you intended. In addition, you will be able to reap all of the benefits of having expert publishers who work in their native language.
So now that your manuscript is ready for the final touches before it hits the shelves, you can take that next step by getting in touch with a US-based publisher. Remember also to check for submission guidelines. Some publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts, but others do not.
At Elite Authors, the online form makes it easy to share some information about you and your book. So start today by contacting your first publishing company.
