How publishing works in different countries.

[rimturse]

I thought this would be interesting to the U.S. writers. This is how easy it is to get your manuscript looked at by the largest and oldest publishing house in Denmark:

http://www.gyldendal.dk/artikler/manusindsendelse

It's in Danish obviously, but the basics are:

1. Send in your manuscript in paper form to the address listed below
2. Please feel free to include some information about yourself and the manuscript*
3. Add your address (obligatory), e-mail and tel. no. (non-obligatory)
4. Once we have received your manuscript you will receive a receipt within a couple of days
5. It will take 5-7 weeks for us to determine whether or not we want to publish your manuscript, after which you will receive a written reply. During this period we would appreciate it if you do not send your manuscript to other publishing houses

...and that's it. Easy peasy.
_____________
* A far cry from the query and synopsis angst when sending to U.S. agents and publishers.

Comments

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

Growl, mutter, mumble. Do they accept manuscripts written in English, perchance? Tries to look innocent and without the wheels turning behind her eyes.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

*grin*
Unfortunately it has to be Danish, but they do sell English translations. :)

[angrboda]

Yes, that's all very well, but I'm still not interested in publication myself. :) I've got a few flisters that I wondered if I should show it to, but... They're all americans and I don't want to make them cry. :p

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Oh there is much to be said about writing for the sheer fun of it with no pressure. I can relate completely, even though I don't do it myself.

And clearly I'm less worried about making my friends cry than you. :p

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I wish I wrote books in Danish...

[frigg.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really should make the most of it, shouldn't I? *sighs*

[pjthompson]

Dude! I could weep.

[frigg.livejournal.com]

I know. It's a completely different publishing world.

[jmeadows.livejournal.com]

The words look English, but they're all wrong! *runs in circles*

[frigg.livejournal.com]

*lol*
You are right, there are some similar words. If you take just the first paragraph, there's:

kan = can
indsende = send in
manuskript = manuscript
personligt = in person
adresse = address


It actually normally doesn't take long for an English speaker to learn how to read Danish. If you speak both English and either German or Dutch, you can often understand the overall meaning of a Danish/Norwegian/Swedish newspaper article. :)

[jmeadows.livejournal.com]

Well I meant the "translated" instructions. It's missing parts, like "sweat here" and "consider a deal with the devil here." ;)

[frigg.livejournal.com]

bwhahahahaha I'm so slow!!!

There's more good stuff. The negotiable standard contract has better average conditions w. higher average royalties.

The problem is the market, of course. Denmark has a population of around 5,5 million people, so unless your work gets translated, you have just a small target group. :p