Houses and Imprints

Traditional publishing houses and imprints are today’s topic. The best analogy I can think of is a grocery store. Stay with me. The store represents the publishing house and the different departments or aisles represent the imprints.

Houses

Let’s dig a little deeper. Traditional publishers are made up of big, medium, and small size houses. So, the Big Five compare to big box supermarkets like Costco and Sams serving large and varied populations. Mid-size houses would be like Krogers and Safeway, well-stocked with a variety of products including ethnic foods and often offering locally produced items. Small-size houses would be your Mom and Pop corner stores catering to the needs of a distinct neighborhood.

Imprints

If grocery stores are the houses, then imprints are the different sections of the store. You wouldn’t go to the dairy case to find a head of lettuce, just like you wouldn’t go to the service deli to find canned peaches. Each imprint has its own focus. This is particularly important if you are foregoing the agent route and submitting directly to publishers. Research editors at the imprints that fit your manuscript or genre. Personalize your query. Cross your fingers and hit the submit button!

Just as the departments of any grocery store serve a purpose, so too do imprints. Traditional publishing houses provide the manpower, resources, and office support for the many imprints under their umbrella. Publishing houses may have imprints for educational material, thrillers, romance, and children’s books. By creating separate imprints for each area of focus, the house can hire the appropriate personnel and expand their reach in the market.

If you hope to publish your work, it is important to understand the difference between houses and imprints as well as to identify imprints suitable to your needs.