Changing Lines or Publishers Is Not A Simple Change

Every publisher out there and every individual line within a publishing house has a unique voice and style. This is something I have spoken about a lot here on the blog. It is unfortunate, though, that so many authors think if a publisher wants a contemporary romance (or any gene for that matter) that their stories will fit with everyone. This is far from the case.

For published authors, this becomes an even bigger challenge. If you have been writing with one line for a period of time, you have trained your brain to think like that line (or publisher). You have received editorial feedback that has shaped your writing in a specific direction. But now, you are interested in expanding your horizons and want to try some new things, so you look to the other publishers. Now what?

The first thing you need to do is take the time to read how that line writes and what the voice sounds like. Please be aware that if you are used to reading Author X in one line and she writes for another line, the voice will be different. This is not just a different word count or an increase or decrease in sensuality. The voice does change. If you look to a different publisher, the voice will be even more of a drastic change.

It is also important to note that changing publishers will require an added commitment on your part. While you might have been used to submitting new projects on proposal, those new publishers will want to likely see a full project. Yes, there are people who can shift publishers on proposal only, but the odds are, these authors have more than a few books under their belts and have sales figures that are incredible.

Finally, if you are thinking of continuing your work with the first publisher and also work with the second publisher, now it is a matter of juggling schedules. Please understand that each of the publishers have their own calendars. Even though, while you were with one publisher, you could sort of set your own schedule, with two, that flexibility is gone.

There are certainly a lot of benefits for being with two lines or two publishers, but be aware that the changes will take a lot of getting used to and may not be as easy as you think.