If you want to turn your love of books and your childhood fascination with "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" into a career, you may want to join the ranks of science fiction book publishers. In order to pursue science fiction book publishers education and training, you may find yourself traveling the route of most book publishers no matter what genre they're publishing.

From formal degrees in publishing to certificate programs and even apprenticing through scifi book publishers, you'll find science fiction book publishers education and training to be engaging and valuable. If you're serious about publishing science fiction, here are some ways you can pursue a career in science fiction book publishing:

1. Obtain a formal degree in publishing that will help you toward your goal of publishing science fiction books.
2. Complete a publishing certificate program to learn the ins and outs of fantasy fiction publishing.
3. Apprentice at science fiction publishing houses.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start fulfilling your dream of publishing science fiction books with a degree in publishing

Whether you're going to publish science fiction or any other genre, you'll find that a bachelor's or master's degree in publishing can help you realize your goal. Many components of publishing can be learned in a formal academic setting.

I recommend: Pace University offers an online master's degree in publishing, covering all aspects of publishing from modern technology and legal aspects to specialized publications. The master's degree in publishing offered through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at New York University combines core courses, seminars and independent study.

Receive a certificate in publishing as a first step toward science fiction book publishing

If a four-year college degree isn't for you, consider a certificate program in publishing offered by some colleges and universities. These one-year programs will teach you the basics needed to begin your path toward publishing science fiction books.

I recommend: Get a Certificate of Publishing upon completion of the online coursework through Ryerson University, a program which provides an overview of editing and production, as well as specialized instruction in various areas including trade fiction. The School of Journalism at Columbia University has an intensive six-week course in publishing as part of its continuing education program. Portland State University has a publishing program that provides a hands-on work experience at the school's small student-run publishing house.

Works hands on with established science fiction publishers through internships and apprenticeships

There's nothing quite like hands-on experience when it comes to learning a new trade or craft, and publishing science fiction books is no exception. You'll learn invaluable and incomparable tricks of the trade by working directly with science fiction book publishers as an intern or apprentice.

I recommend: HarperCollins, a well-known publisher that produces books in many genres including science fiction and fantasy, offers an annual summer internship program. Read about the internship program offered by Leucrota Press, science fiction fantasy publishers, at BookJobs.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Peruse the websites of fantasy fiction publishers to learn what similar sci fi publishing companies are producing and how they are operating.

Finding science fiction book publishers for your science fiction or fantasy manuscript is going to take some work. One general requirement for these markets is that you have a completed manuscript to submit. So before spending too much time researching the perfect market for your novel, write it, edit it, polish it and finish it.

The Internet offers resources at your fingertips so you don't need a clear idea of what you are looking for before starting a search of publishers. But you will easily become inundated with data if you don't have some type of focus. Keep the following in mind to help yourself start down the path to finding science fiction fantasy publishers:

1. Research the market only if you have a complete, clean, edited manuscript ready to submit.

2. Make sure your word count fits within the guidelines of your submission length — novels are 100,000 words or more, while shorter works are novella-length.

3. Pursue the traditional sci-fi book publishers route or e-book markets, depending on your willingness to try alternative avenues for publication.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Submit strong manuscripts to well-known science fiction publishers

Compared to general fiction markets, science fiction and fantasy publishers, as a rule, seek manuscripts of 100,000 words or more. Story lines must contain strong plots and believable worlds.

I recommend: Ralan's site offers numerous links to sci fi publishing companies. StoryPilot is a free searchable database of sci fi and fantasy publishers of novellas up to 80,000 words.

Find smaller presses that publish science fiction

It's common to find small presses that publish in e-book and traditional paperback. Some houses specialize in fantasy and science fiction, but keep your options open by considering a general fiction press.

I recommend: Double Dragon Publishing offers e-book publication and full online store distribution as well as instore paperback distribution whenever possible. They publish fiction as well as non-fiction. The BookWire Index offers a listing of fantasy and sci-fi publishers. Whiskey Creek Press is open to fiction of all types, including science fiction and fantasy.

Identify some fantasy fiction publishers

The best way to identify a fantasy fiction publisher is to see who publishes the fantasy novels you enjoy reading. Most fantasy fiction publishing houses also publish science fiction, but there are a few that focus solely on fantasy.

I recommend: Avari Press accepts unsolicited novel-length fantasy manuscripts at various times during the year, but when they reach capacity, it is best to query first. EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, a subsidiary of Hades Publications, accepts novel-length sci-fi and fantasy manuscripts from new and established authors, but won't accept e-mailed submissions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always check writers' and submission guidelines of science fiction publishing houses before submitting your work. Follow the guidelines exactly to avoid instant rejection.
• •  Join online genre-specific writing groups, participate in critique groups, and join professional organizations to get leads on where to submit your work.
• •  Network with other sci-fi and fantasy writers. You can even find scifi book publishers on MySpace and Facebook because they want to be more accessible to the public.

Understanding the key terminology of science fiction book publishers can help you on your way to a successful career in publishing or writing. Although many people lump science fiction in with fantasy, it is a separate genre with its own terminology. Genre fiction is growing in popularity, particularly in the young adult market. What is science fiction? Do you know your cyberpunk? What's the draw of post-apocalyptic stories? Would you write an Orwellian story? Are there advantages to print-on-demand? Should you consider publishing an eBook? By knowing science fiction book publishers key terms, you can answer some of these questions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Science fiction

With genre lines blurring and writers creating subgenres, you may find it beneficial to have the term science fiction defined. In general terms, it is any story that uses science to answer the question 'what if.' Ultimately, it is up to individual publishers, agents and authors to decide what sort of science fiction to specialize in.

I recommend: The SF Site gives definitions of science fiction and defines what distinguishes it from fantasy.

Print-on-demand

Print-on-demand (POD) is a digital technology that allows you to print books one or two at a time rather than a large run on a traditional press. Books printed this way are substantially more expensive per book, but it can allow books to remain available without physical copies in a warehouse.

I recommend: Lulu is a well-respected POD publisher. The website takes you step-by-step through the process.

E-book

An e-book, also called an eBook, is an electronic book rather than a book in print form. It is possible to publish only in eBook form. As a relatively new publishing option, eBook rights are a hot topic in the publishing world.

I recommend: To see free examples of full-length science fiction eBooks, check out the Baen Free Library.

Cyberpunk

The main idea of cyberpunk is the fusion of man and machine. It tends to be very dark and dystopian with heroes fighting against technologically advanced controlling factions.

I recommend: Cyberpunk Review gives multiple definitions of cyberpunk, including the different aspects such as technology's negative effect on society.

Orwellian

Orwellian science fiction describes the polar opposite of a free society. Themes include government control and misinformation of the public.

I recommend: Absolute Astronomy defines and describes the key elements of Orwellian stories.

Post-apocalyptic

What happens after the world has ended? Turn the page in your favorite post-apocalyptic book to find the answer.

I recommend: Abe Books details the meaning of post-apocalyptic science fiction and recommends its favorite books in this category.