First Steps Publishing is a publisher producing and promoting a variety of genres. Since we work closely with each and every one of our authors, we are very selective with our acquisitions. This selectivity ensures that each project receives the exact amount of time and attention required in order to promote its development effectively.
First Steps Publishing ~
for the author seeking a solid foundation.
(Professional design & marketing services since 1988.)
Note: We do not open Unsolicited Email Attachments.
SUBMIT using our online Submission Form.
We publish under:
First Steps Publishing
- Adult: First Steps Publishing
- NA, YA, and Middle Grade: West Wind Press
- Children’s: White Parrot Press
We are currently seeking the following:
Fiction (Adult, New Adult, Young Adult, Middle Grade , Children’s)
- Adventure
- Christian
- Mystery
- Historical Fiction
- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Other? If your query letter convinces us we should publish your book, we just might, even though it is not in the above categories.
NonFiction
- Adventure / True Story
- Memoir
- Biography
- Military / War
- History
- Other? If your query letter convinces us we should publish your book, we just might, even though it is not in the above categories.
BEFORE SUBMITTING
Read and follow these Writers Digest guidelines
- All submissions must be CAREFULLY edited
- Double-check all punctuation and spelling
- Only one space after a sentence, not two.
- Watch your point of view; make sure you stay in one character’s point of view per section.
Submission Guidelines:
- All manuscripts should be complete and fully edited
- Novels should be within 50,000 to 120,000 words in length*
- All inquiries should be made via email** or through our online submission form.
*Longer? Shorter? please indicate your full manuscript length when submitting to us.
** We do not open Unsolicited email attachments, so please contact us first via email or use out online submission form.
To submit a manuscript for consideration, paste the following into the body of an email (we will not open attachments):
- A one-page query letter containing your title, genre, market, word count, a brief description about your book, and any pertinent writing credentials
- The first ten pages, double-spaced, of your manuscript
- Where we can find you on the web (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.)
- A brief synopsis (no more than 1 page) that describes the plot and tells us how it ends.
SUBMIT using our online Submission Form.
Though we try to respond quickly we can get backlogged, so your patience is appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you!
What if FSP doesn’t accept your manuscript for publication or you have chosen to self-publish your book? We recognize there are talented writers who may not choose the route of traditional publishing. We also offer a wide range of services to aid those who choose a more independent, self-publishing path. Please see our Services page at First Steps Publications for more information.
Please understand that writing is a business, and you should be willing to spend a significant amount of time actively promoting your work. We don’t believe that authors should have to shoulder all of the responsibility of publicizing their work. We are committed to bringing as much exposure to our authors’ books as we can. Social media; brick and mortar bookstore; library as well as online distribution; book shows are a few of the ways in which we promote our authors’ books. We also provide ongoing marketing advice and assistance to our author team.
All work must be original, and not have appeared elsewhere unless all rights have reverted back to the author.
Copyright—Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form—digital, handwritten or printed. FSP will retain copyright to your work once we agree to publish it. If for any reason we should part ways, FSP will revert the copyright back to you. However if you wish to keep the copyright yourself you will need to obtain a copyright for your work from the US Copyright Office. This will not preclude the publication of the work, but publication prior to confirmation of the copyright may make enforcement more difficult if there is any need for that.
You will find working with us to be a pleasant and educational experience. We understand you will have questions about the business and we understand that you are putting your “baby” in our care. We would be happy to provide you with professional and personal attention you seek every step of the way.
