Finding a travel book publishing house for your travel book is not difficult, but it can be intimidating and time consuming. Remain diligent and committed enough to follow through on what you've learned, and use available Web tools to de-mystify your quest to have your manuscript and photographs accepted by a travel book publisher house.

Travelers around the world seek travel books for destinations they have been to and love, as well as for places they dream about going to one day. Travel book companies are always on the lookout for great books that present travel information in an engaging and interesting way. There are many publishers of travel books, but you should consider all avenues and find the one that works best for you:

1. Traditional publishers generally accept solicited agent material. Unsolicited material received from authors is not considered. Research using industry books such as the "Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents."

2. E-book publishers welcome new and already published authors, without requiring agent representation.

3. Vanity presses and self-publishing give an author the most freedom in publishing travel books.

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

Submit your manuscript to tourist book publishers

The travel genre of books includes small locales such as any town in any state, to large internationally known travel spots like Paris, France. There is a lot of variety in between, and also in the type of publication from postcard books to travel guides to coffee table books. You have an advantage if you follow the submission guidelines of the publishing houses you pitch to. It sounds simple, but many people don't pay attention to the details.

I recommend: Check out the current series needs at Avalon Travel which focuses on traveler-to-traveler guides. Ithaca Press is a well-known press seeking city and country guides.

Search for travel book publishers using publisher and agent listings

Travel book companies of varying interests and requirements are numerous, so having a local repository for travel book publishers to refer to can come in handy as you seek one for your subject matter. Agent listings are just as helpful if you are seeking representation, or if you find a publisher perfect for your book idea who will only speak with an agent.

I recommend: The Travel Publishers Association offers an extensive listing of travel publishers who belong to the association. Publishing Central has a listing of travel book publishers who cater to a wide range of interests. AgentQuery offers a listing of agents who represent travel books.

Locate a travel book company that fits your travel interests

If you love to travel, have experience sharing and writing your stories and want to share your knowledge of a destination with a large audience, you should publish. Travel book publishing is a large field and is overrun with books of common tourist spots. Share your particular interests with a large travel book audience.

I recommend: Share your zest for travel with Hunter Publishing via their "About our Authors" page. They are open to hearing about your travel guide book ideas via email. Menasha Ridge Press accepts manuscripts about the outdoors, wilderness sports, nature, cooking, history, and worldwide travel. Hastings House is open to day trip travel guide ideas.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider cultural book publishing companies if you have a unique take on an area that isn't already well-covered in the travel book market.