Submissions

Heinemann-Raintree Classroom does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or new product ideas.  We actively pursue our own authors and work with a number of authors and author agents.  Please do not ask us to review your manuscript or new product idea.

We do occasionally work with authors on a freelance, work-for-hire basis.  If you would like to be considered as a writer, please send a resume or vitae and a writing sample.  Please note that materials sent will not be confirmed as received, nor will they be returned.

Though we do not accept submissions, here are a few simple suggestions for you to use as a guideline in getting your work published:

1. Visit several bookstores (or libraries) and see if you can find books similar in style, size and content to yours.  Write down the publisher names and information.  If none exactly match, find books that are at least in the same genre and write down those publisher names and contact information (if available).  If you already know a publisher whose products closely resemble yours, get their contact information from their web site.
    
2. Visit a public library (most main branch public libraries will have this publication) and find a publication titled Literary Market Place (or LMP as it is known in the industry - it will be in the “Reference” section, published by R.R. Bowker).  Look for the section in the LMP on book publishers (it’s a large section, you can’t miss it).
    
   1. Find the publishers whose books you found at a bookstore or library which most resembled your book – write down the appropriate contact information for the Managing Editor, Editorial Director, Editor-in-Chief, etc.  You want street address and title so you can mail your manuscript to them.
       
   2. Go through the entire publisher section looking for publishers with similar product descriptions to the publishers you found who publish books similar to your book(s).  Copy down all the relevant contact information as in (a).
       
3. Prepare a cover letter and include a copy of your manuscript (to prevent publishers from copying your idea, put a copyright notice at the bottom of each page and in the front of your manuscript; e.g. © John Doe) – send to all publishers on your prepared list.
    
4. Follow up with an email or letter 30-45 days later asking them if they have reviewed your manuscript.
    
5. You can also try to use one of the many publishing agencies which can do all your work for you, yet only charge you various fees to get your book published.  Examples of this would be www.authorhouse.com or www.xlibris.com.  You can visit their web sites and register yourself on their sites to get their most up to date information and pricing.