Read on Twitter
Had my 1st #Nebulas2020 panel on getting published with small presses with @AJFitzwater @heatherosejones @SpaceLawyerSF and @Ellethevillain Wanted to share some of the stuff I noted down.
Before you sign w/a small press - talk to ppl they've published, ask about the experience before/during/after, including marketing. Look for someone who is ENTHUSED about your work.
The small press experience can vary widely, and include horrible experiences as well as awesome ones. Be informed and use the contract resources that SFW provides! https://www.sfwa.org/member-links/committees/contracts-committee/
Also use another SFWA resource, Writer Beware, when doing your research. https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/
Communication is absolutely key. Make sure you know what you can expect of the press -- and what they expect of you.
You -will- have to do some of the marketing in all probability. Well before your book comes out, figure out what your resources are. Again, SFWA provides some there. https://www.sfwa.org/2016/02/25/10-ways-sfwa-can-help-promote-your-new-book-2/
I'm so proud of many of the small press books I've worked with, including the one currently on the Nebula ballot, and it's awesome to see people qualifying for SFWA membership with small press credentials.
