Which Publisher To Choose?

[woodrackets]

Don't know where else to put this post.

I've finished writing a textbook & am looking for a fair, reputable publihser here in Japan (I'm in Kansai). I'm not looking for a publishing house that will make too many editing demands; that would count out Oxford, Thompsons, etc.

Any ideas, preferably one sbased on experience, would be greatly appreciated.

[electric_japan]

Hi ya,
Have you tried these people yet?

http://www.finstitute.gr.jp/index-en.html

They might be able to show you what other direction to go to. Just do it, as I say.

[Marius_II]

Harr harr, the Finnished joke never gets old!

[electric_japan]

You have become a tailgater not only today, but everyday.
Are you attracted to me? Or are you just board?
.

[Marius_II]

You have become a tailgater not only today, but everyday.
Are you attracted to me? Or are you just board?
.

A little bit board,
a little bit attracted.

Don't worry I'll stop.

[electric_japan]

Got ya!

It's okay! You can follow me, but beware I have a flatuence problem.

[Super Grover]

Don't know where else to put this post.

I've finished writing a textbook & am looking for a fair, reputable publihser here in Japan (I'm in Kansai). I'm not looking for a publishing house that will make too many editing demands; that would count out Oxford, Thompsons, etc.

Any ideas, preferably one sbased on experience, would be greatly appreciated.

You really ought to have started approaching publishers before you finished so that it could have been a collaboration. Publishers know their market and have their textbook needs planned out years in advance, so you could end up with a manuscript that no one needs. Sorry to inform you, but publishers run the show.

Try R.I.C., which is an Ausralian firm, Kinseido, or Abax. Maybe Nan'undo.

[woodrackets]

You really ought to have started approaching publishers before you finished so that it could have been a collaboration. Publishers know their market and have their textbook needs planned out years in advance, so you could end up with a manuscript that no one needs. Sorry to inform you, but publishers run the show.

Try R.I.C., which is an Ausralian firm, Kinseido, or Abax. Maybe Nan'undo.

@@@ Sensei,
Shoulda started earlier, yeah, I know. I'm leaving out a lot of the involved story.

Anyway, thanx for the short list of publishers. I'm gonna give them a try.

[electric_japan]

Is that it. You are not so talkative,eh.

Anybody want some pizza?

[Kaigangirl]

Anybody want some pizza?

Yes, please.

I like cold pizza for breakfast too.

[Shonai Ben]

Yes, please.

I like cold pizza for breakfast too.

cold pizza and beer......the perfect breakfast.

[Kaigangirl]

cold pizza and beer......the perfect breakfast.

cold pizza and usually either flat or warm champagne... the fridge is too far to crawl too...

[Shonai Ben]

cold pizza and usually either flat or warm champagne... the fridge is too far to crawl too...

try putting your futon next to the fridge next time......

[Kaigangirl]

try putting your futon next to the fridge next time......

I always thought about setting up a train set too and fro... but hadn't quite worked out how to open the ice-box door to retrieve supplies...

I guess that is why folk have staff... or wake up with someone you need an excuse to kick out of the bed...

[electric_japan]

I feel like reproducing tonight under the stars.

[Shonai Ben]

I feel like reproducing tonight under the stars.

reproducing what EJ?

[Shonai Ben]

I always thought about setting up a train set too and fro... but hadn't quite worked out how to open the ice-box door to retrieve supplies...

I guess that is why folk have staff... or wake up with someone you need an excuse to kick out of the bed...

if you had a dog,you could train him to do it........that is if don't mind your bottle of beer covered with slobber.......

[electric_japan]

reproducing what EJ?

Cro-magnon babies.

[Shonai Ben]

Cro-magnon babies.

will they bounce?

[electric_japan]

Only at this time, below-ground.

[Kaigangirl]

if you had a dog,you could train him to do it........that is if don't mind your bottle of beer covered with slobber.......

I had a pet chicken... she used to follow me around everywhere and peck my legs for attention... and sit on my shoulder like a parrot...

[Shonai Ben]

I had a pet chicken... she used to follow me around everywhere and peck my legs for attention..

you must have nice legs.....

[The Old Man]

You really ought to have started approaching publishers before you finished so that it could have been a collaboration. Publishers know their market and have their textbook needs planned out years in advance, so you could end up with a manuscript that no one needs. Sorry to inform you, but publishers run the show..

The above is the best bit of advice.

Try R.I.C., which is an Ausralian firm, Kinseido, or Abax. Maybe Nan'undo.

RIC are a 'commission' publisher - they decide the type of book and hire a number of established authors to write the book, paying them an initial fee only. They're total cr@p and if you send anything to to them, they have a policy of not aknowledging receiving it, even if you put a SAE inside your package, they won't return it.

Kinseido are a total joke, I know from first hand. All upper management positions, the place where publishing decisions are made, are held by japanese males who can't speak an English sentence between then. They write letters in japanese then the cheapskates put them thru Babelfish and send off the English version. I've watched them do it, it's so funny.

Is Abax still going, I don't think so?

Your best bet in japan, are Intercom Press - Paul and Ed are really good guys - or Dave Martin's ELT publications - you have to get in touch with him during the university holidays, since he teaches in Hawaii most of the year.

Forget Longman's, they decide their publishing plans 2 years ahead and Keiko is a total airhead.

OUP decisions for publishing in japan are made in Korea.

CUP is a closed shop of who you know back in the UK, not what you know.

Thompson actually isn't so bad. Also try Prentice Hall, though they have a very US English stance.

If you think Eikaiwa in japan is a dirty sordid business, wait till you venture into the world of ELT publishing in Japan. As Seeking Answers mentioned, it's a publisher's world here.

Your best bet is to look outside of japan. Look to publishers in China, Taiwan or Malaysia.

If you're really serious about Japan, pop over to Expat japan network and pm 'Richard'. he has about 20 years experience of ELT publishing in japan and is always willing to help.

[Super Grover]

really, i am seeking another beer -- Corona.

Kinseido is not so bad, BUT they want a Japanese book for Japanese robots to use, usually. There are English ones such as Simply Speaking or Issues and Answers (hope I haven't confused publishers). I get roughly 600,000 a year from them in royalty payments, so I do not dislike them that much!
What O.M. said about R.I.C. is partly true, but not all are "experts."

OUP is for the vets or the very lucky. I may be one of the latter this year!

Haven't worked with the others so can't comment. Nan'undo is good IF they think you have a good idea.

Taiwan -- try Caves Books, but be wary of Chinese publishers. Honesty is not a strong suit.

I think that Talk a Lot book by D. Martin is PURE JUNK.

Anyway, OP, good luck. If you get published, let us know. Next time, though, start with several chapters and then go from there. Possibly the only reason to JALT -- other than to present -- is to pitch new ideas at the reps. Everyone has an "idea," but 95% of them are poorly thought out, this according to the reps. Also, be careful never to talk to a certain very thin vegetarian professor based in Hawaii. He may steal your ideas and much to your surprise, your reading strategies suddenly appear in his book!

[electric_japan]

Well, so far I've been studying the published world lots.

Every four months or so you get a big check for three or four hundred yen from the sales of your published book. Woo-Hoo!

Maybe even nine-three hundred yen each few months. WOW!

So, the average pay is a mere 43 American cents per book sold, whether you're print or paper.

Back to the McDonald's Corporation dream.

[woodrackets]

The above is the best bit of advice.

Is Abax still going, I don't think so?

@@@ Yeah, I just sent them an email.

http://www.abax.co.jp/

[Moobies]

Thompson actually isn't so bad. Also try Prentice Hall, though they have a very US English stance.

Just an update, but when I was looking to get my hands on some samples before this past semester began, I tried to get in touch with Thompson, which led to Heinle, and finally Cengage. From what the rep said, Cengage is handling all of the ELT books now, and I think there office was in SK.