Writer's Fallout Shelter

I do, most of the time, look at what a publisher puts out and mention stuff that is similar in my query. However sometimes I find that my writing is not anything like what they have put out. This I can also use to my advantage by letting the publishing house know that I have something new and different.

Of course I make sure that what they put out is still along the same lines as what I write. If all they publish is fantasy or picture books, that isn't going to work well with what I currently write. If they publish general fiction or sci fi but don't have any subject that is similar to mine then perhaps we still have a match.

The other reason I look for books by a publisher is to see how readily available they are. I want to see their promotion at work. If I have a hard time finding their books then my perspective readers will have the same problem if I get published through them. If their on line catalogue is difficult to use then I will put them at the bottom of my "send to" list. I want to sell my work once it's published so they have to show me that they are worth my time in wooing them.