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I've written about different aspects of being published in the past, but after reading about the Big 6 book publishers in the May/June 2007 issue of Poets & Writers, I decided to share some more information, thoughts, and ideas about publishing.
Viv
Next's week editor is Holly Jahangiri 
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Publishing Woes: Tips and Thoughts
Did you realize that six (6) major publishing companies, which in turn are owned by giant media conglomerates, have hundreds of imprints (sub-publishing entities) under them? Only two of the six giant media conglomerates, which are parent companies of the major publishing companies and their imprints, are in the United States: News Corporation and CBS Corporation. Two are in Germany (Bertelsmann AG and Verlagsgruppe Georg Von Holtzbrinck); one is in France, Lagadère SCA; the last one resides in the United Kingdom, Pearson Media Group.
Let's look at the parent companies alphabetically and the publishing firms and some of the imprints under each.
Bertelsmann AG, Germany, acquired Random House, Inc. in 1998. Some the the major imprints under Random House include Random House (of course), Doubleday, Vintage Books, Crown, Alfred A. Knopf, Villard Books, Spiegel & Grau, Panthéon Books, Dial Press, Ballantine Books. Also Anchor Books, Dell, Del Rey, Delta, Fawcett, Golden Books, Strivers Row Books, and Three Rivers Press add to the list, plus at least twenty more imprints.
CBS Corporation, United States, and Vicom merged in 2000, but when the two split in 2005, Simon & Schuster, Inc. and its imprints remained with CBS. Their sub-groups include not only Simon & Schuster, but also Scribner, Free Press, Atria Books, Aladdin Paperbacks, Pocket Books, and Downtown Press.
Lagadère SCA, France, established Hachette Book Group after Hachette Livre acquired Time Warner Book Group. Included in their imprints are Little, Brown, Twelve, Back Bay Books, FaithWords, and Grand Central Publishing.
News Corporation, United States owns Harpercollins Publishers. Some of their sub-groups include Willaim Morrow, Harper Perennial, Avon, Collins, Rayo, and Zondervan.
Person Media Group, United Kingdom, is the parent company of Penguin Group, Inc.. Other than Penguin, and The Penguin Press, imprints include Riverhead Books, Viking, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Dutton. A sample of smaller publishing imprints include Signet, Sentinel, Ace Books, and Avery,
Verlagsgruppe Georg Van Holtzbrinck, Germany owns Holtzbrinck Publishers with imprints St. Martin's Press, Picador, and Henry Holt, and Farrar. Smaller imprints include Faber and Faber, North Point Press, Owl Books, Roaring Book Press, Times Books, and Tor Books.
I wanted you to read that long list for a reason: What major, well-known publisher's name do you not find? I didn't even list all the smaller imprints of the major companies.
With the hundreds of thousands of manuscripts being sent to publishers every week and only six mega-conglomerates managing the titles of most "traditional" published books, few beginning or unknown authors stand much of a chance of being published. The Big 6 go first of all for names already well known, whether in the book field or other areas. Then they listen to agents that have influence about possible titles to publish. If we aren't famous already or have a really well known and respected agent, we haven't much chance to be published.
What can writers do with so much "stacked" against them? Look at smaller publishing companies, find a really good agent (oh, most of them won't sign authors who haven't been published), attend writing conferences and make connections.
Networking is a good way to have a name that's recognizable. Attending and participating in writing conferences provides an excellent method to network, to meet agents, editors, and sometimes even publishers. Start looking for local conferences, and then, as possible, move away from home base. Look for conferences that specialize in your genre or cover a wide array of genre.
One last suggestion: If you really want to be published, never give up trying to find an agent and/or a publisher.
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Comments from Newletter Readers
Ta
Thanks for the encouraging reminder about the hard work involved in writing. I'm having a bit of difficulty continuing a series of "journeys", partly because it's kind of painful and partly because I've just been having too much fun at WDC! This is a wonderfully inspiring newsletter and I feel newly motivated. Thanks again.
Ta
I'm glad this newsletter is helpful. Yes, writing is a journey, each story, poem, novel, etc. another branch in the road.
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writeone
I read Heather Sellers' book, "Page after Page" and I loved it. I almost stopped reading; however, when she said, "Stop talking about your writing and write." The audacity! Then I got to the part where she recommends that when a writer gets stuck, he or she should nap. I liked that much better. The honest truth is that if we don't write, then we won't feel complete. Thanks for a great newsletter.
 Oh, I agree that the nap idea is much more fun sounding than the hard work that writing can be.
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lethomson
Fantastic to-the-point newsletter this week! Thank you.
VL
monty31802
Another very enjoyable Newsletter, Viv. I appreciate the way your tips are aimed to benefit all those who write.
I have written a lot in my life, in all genre. I have settled into a niche that I love, that of writing words of rhyme, not always words in form others think are proper, but always words that flow from the heart. I thank you for informative Newsletters for all writers.
billwilcox
Just a fab newsletter Viv! Write, read, read, read, and Write On!
Thank you, VL, Monty, and Bill. I'm glad to hear when I've helped or written something that others can use or enjoy.
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GhostDragon
I liked this newsletter but I am confused on something here. Would someone who writes as a hobby be a writer or a want-to-be writer? I should probably really use those tips. A couple of which I have started to. Anyway great newsletter!
Anyone who writes, and who doesn't just talk about writing, is a writer. Anyway, that's how I believe.
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Zane_Black
First of all, Hello. I read your piece,"Writing tips..." and I just have one question. Maybe my blonde roots are showing, but I don't get this... ~First of all, a writer (versus a want-to-be writer) writes because he has to, but it is hard work.~ What do you mean, Has to write? I think I am a writer, published, but yet to be paid for it. I have to intense desire to write, I feel the need to write, and if I don't write I go insane. Is that what you mean by, has to write? I just need verification. Thank you in advance for you answer to my dumb question.
~Z~
I've always heard that the only dumb question is the one not asked. Yes, that's exactly what I mean by "has to write." We have no choice but are compelled to write.
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Ladyoz
Just a little note to thank you so much for featuring my Apostophe Abuse article again Ladyoz.
You are most welcome.
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May you read and write wonderful works. If you want to be published, I hope you work until you are.
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For Authors: May 02, 2007 Issue [#1678]
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