A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: 📞 When Not to Call: Respecting Boundaries in the Submission Process

 

This week, I’d like to speak candidly about something that happened recently—and offer a bit of guidance for authors seeking publication.

I received a call on my personal cell phone from a writer I didn’t know. He had found my number online and decided to reach out directly to pitch his book. Unfortunately, he caught me at a difficult moment: I was at a doctor’s office, fielding urgent calls about my daughter’s care. I answered because I was expecting medical updates. Instead, I found myself on the receiving end of a cold pitch—and when I asked the caller to send an email instead, he seemed annoyed.

Let me be clear: I understand the passion and urgency that drive authors to seek a publisher. I admire that drive. But cold calling a publisher’s personal number—especially without invitation or context—is not the way to begin a professional relationship. Publishing is a collaborative process built on mutual respect, timing, and trust. That begins with honoring boundaries.

So, what should you do instead?

• 📬 Send a thoughtful query. Most publishers, especially small presses like ours, welcome email submissions. Follow the guidelines. Introduce yourself, your book, and why you think we’re a good fit.
• 🕊️ Be patient. Editors are often juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and—yes—real lives. A respectful query will be read. A cold call may be remembered for the wrong reasons.
• 🤝 Build relationships. Attend literary events, workshops, or conferences. Engage with publishers’ work. When you do reach out, let it be from a place of shared interest, not intrusion.

Publishing is a long game. A well-timed, well-crafted email can open doors. A phone call at the wrong moment can close them.

Let’s keep the conversation going—respectfully, professionally, and with the same care we hope to bring to every book we publish.

Bottom line: The best way to get a publisher/editor to look at your book favorably is to follow the guidelines on its website and be familiar with what it publishes.

These Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 22 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.

 See more Publisher Conversations with Authors HERE.

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Julia Aziz, signing her book, Lessons of Labor, at an event at Book People in Austin, Texas.

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Steven Greenebaum, author of award-winning books, An Afternoon's Discussion and One Family: Indivisible, talking to a reader at Barnes & Noble in Gilroy, California.

   

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