Book Publishers Book Publishers Publishers pay authors, not the other way around. Do not confuse book publishers with vanity or subsidy presses. A book publisher is in business to earn a profit on their financial investment. They pay writers for manuscripts they believe will be profitable.
Book publishers use a variety of methods to find work worth their investment.
They are very selective in their quest for manuscripts. Publishers rely on editors and literary agents to bring them manuscripts that fit their needs. These people know what will sell and if it fits the market the publisher fills. A book publisher pays the writer, editors, printers, and the costs of cover design. They pay publicists to announce and promote the book.