Publishers of Civil War Books

Fifth Iowa · #1 09-25-2006, 08:03 PM

There’s not really an ideal location for this post… but since it’s a question about writing, I thought that the books thread made as much sense as anyplace. I know there are a number of authors who are members of Civil War Talk. And I assume there are a number of future-authors who would like to have a book published someday.

I am curious whether anyone is aware of a site that gathers together information about publishers of civil war books? They range, of course, from University Presses to small individual imprints who only publish the writings of their founders. Some focus entirely on civil war books, while others include them as a small percentage of their book lists. And, there is always the option of self-publishing through one of the print-on-demand businesses which have become such a vogue.

As I’ve been nearing the point where I’m ready to submit a formal book proposal on a long-gestating project… I would love to learn there is a “shortcut” to researching publishers. As a student of human nature, I’m sure some publishers are honest, and others less so… some are easy to work with, and others are a bit more challenging… some are successful in helping promote and distribute their titles, while others leave that all up to the individual authors.

I’m guessing that I’m overly optimistic in hoping that such a list exists, but I thought it was worth asking. On a related note, I enjoyed http://civilwarriors.net/wordpress/?cat=2, which someone shared here at the Dispatch Depot.

If you are not aware of any detailed comparisons between publishers of civil war titles, I would still appreciate hearing from any authors about their experiences with specific publishers. You can either post a note here, or pm me.

Best of luck to all of my fellow writers. And, let me encourage those of you who have only contemplated writing, to give it a shot.

ole · #2 09-26-2006, 12:57 AM

The easiest thing that comes to mind is: go through an agent. You'll need a current Writer's Guide. I'd guess you are familiar with that publication. If you are not, it lists agents and their specialties, publishers and their specialties and, among other things, advice on submission.

If your book is good enough to be published by UNCP, it is indeed good -- their standards are very high. Very nearly every publisher will consider a USCW work, but each will have its preference. The Guide will give that.

Keep us informed.
Ole

samgrant · #3 09-26-2006, 10:09 PM

I do admire any of those who do the work to make a book, whether it is published or not.

To one who has never tried, it might seem a simple thing. In reality it usually involves years of dedicated research. Almost inpossible if not already independently of means. That's only the work part.

Then there is the story. How to tell the story.

Etc.

larry_cockerham · #4 09-26-2006, 11:09 PM

As for my own humble effort, I'll probably go the cd do-it-yourself route on the civil war. Assuming your interest is in civil-war-related material contact my cousin Jeff Weaver jweaver300@aol.com. He has some publishing connections and has authored perhaps 25 civil war related books through H.E. Howard and Sons in Lynchburg. Jeff has a website called New River Notes which may be of some help. He is librarian at Chilhowie, Virginia.

blue_zouave · #5 09-27-2006, 03:00 AM

Oh my heck, Larry, Jeff Weaver is your cousin??!! Tell him THANK YOU THANK YOU for New River Notes! I have done extensive genealogical research on his site. He made it so very easy. A descendant of the Minks and Perkinses of Grayson County, VA is eternally in his debt!

Zou

blue_zouave · #6 09-27-2006, 03:05 AM

Rob, sorry to say that I have never run across a list of publishers with a Civil War interest. My own project is a novel... pre-published... heck, it's not even finished yet!

I'm assuming your project is a regimental history (please correct me if I'm wrong.) My friend Pete is doing regimental histories of Wisconsin cavalry regiments. He didn't have luck getting his first one published, so he burned his manuscript onto a CD and sells it privately.

Hope you have better luck than Pete did!

Zou

Fifth Iowa · #7 09-27-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_zouave

Rob, sorry to say that I have never run across a list of publishers with a Civil War interest. My own project is a novel... pre-published... heck, it's not even finished yet!

Yep, they typically prefer that novels be completed before submission... but nonfiction works can be "proposed" while still in progress--although you still have to have a couple of completed chapters to include as part of the proposal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_zouave

I'm assuming your project is a regimental history (please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Zou, the regimental history is waiting for my retirement from the military. (Too large a project to undertake until then, although I continue to do the research for it.) This book is much more manageable. The fascinating life of an officer from the regiment who was appointed to the federal judiciary as one of Lincoln's final acts.

Fifth Iowa · #8 09-27-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry_cockerham

As for my own humble effort, I'll probably go the cd do-it-yourself route on the civil war. Assuming your interest is in civil-war-related material contact my cousin Jeff Weaver jweaver300@aol.com. He has some publishing connections and has authored perhaps 25 civil war related books through H.E. Howard and Sons in Lynchburg. Jeff has a website called New River Notes which may be of some help. He is librarian at Chilhowie, Virginia.

Thanks, Larry. I'll be writing to Jeff soon. (His website is quite interesting, though my own greatest interests lie in the western theater of the war.)