Why Have an Acquisitions Call (and How to Prepare for Yours)

First off, congrats! Your submission has already gone through several rounds of review, and less than 50% of writers are granted the opportunity to schedule a call. That means we believe in you as a writer, and you should feel confident going into this call.

Meeting one-on-one with an Acquisitions Editor (AE) is an exciting opportunity for you to learn about the publishing process and to ask whatever questions you have. Publication is a long-term partnership, and this call is how we determine whether teaming up on your book is the right fit for both sides. It’s the final step of our acceptance process.

Here’s some insight on exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and why this is one of the most exciting steps in your publishing journey.

Why Have an Acquisitions Call?

Simply put, because it can change your life. Every one of the award-winning and bestselling books that Atmosphere Press has published started with an Acquisitions Call. It’s not just an interview or administrative task; it’s a quintessential strategy session that provides the foundation for the rest of your book’s journey.

Who Is the Acquisitions Editor?

Our AEs are experts on the publishing industry, hybrid contracts, and Atmosphere Press’ process. Before each call, the AE’s editorial assistant prepares a dossier of information on you and your book. The AE spends time with that information, reviews your book, and develops a plan for potential next steps.

On the call, the AE’s most important goal is to feel out whether “the person behind the book” will make for a good partner with Atmosphere Press. The relationship between author and publisher is highly involved and the AE’s role is to make sure the relationship will be beneficial both ways. They are meticulous in answering questions about the contract and transparent about the publishing process so we create a situation where everyone is happy and everyone wins.

Here’s How Most Calls Start

AE: Hi! Thanks so much for meeting with me. We saw a lot of potential in your submission—especially [insert what we loved about your book here].
Author: Thank you!
AE: Today’s call is all about hearing what you’re looking for from a publisher and answering any questions you have about our process, contract, or hybrid publishing model. It’s also about determining whether a publishing partnership is in the best interests of both sides.

From there, the conversation can go in many directions—depending on you and your book. Some authors want to talk about the editorial process. Others want to dive into marketing or compare publishing models. Whatever you’re curious about, this is your space to ask.

What We’ll Probably Talk About

Every Acquisitions Call is different, but here are a few things we love to explore with authors:

✤ Your publishing journey: Have you been working on your manuscript for 10 months…or for 10 years? Have you worked with an editor, or been published before? Every answer helps us understand your book and what it needs.

✤ Your publishing goals: Do you dream of working closely with editors who will respect your writing, creating a legacy memoir for your family, or selling a bunch of copies to a specific audience? Knowing your goals will help us determine whether we’re a good fit.

✤ Our ideas for your book: We might share early thoughts on editing, cover design, or target readership. Often, we’ll even brainstorm a few marketing angles or comparable titles that could help position your book for success.

How Should You Prepare?

The latter half of the call is dedicated to you, so you’ll want to prepare yourself to ask good questions. Reviewing our website and the links in this article is a really good way to get ready. Most authors ask about things like these:

➤ Specific terms in the Atmosphere Press contract.

➤ How the editing and cover design process works.

➤ What to expect from our marketing and publicity support depending on your package.

➤ What would be next steps if we mutually decide to move forward with publishing.

No question is too small—or too weird. We’re happy to talk about anything from hybrid publishing vs. traditional, to using real names in a memoir, to how you’ll celebrate your book launch once that day comes. We encourage you to think of some questions ahead of time, so you can get the most out of your Acquisitions Call!

What Happens Next

If it feels like a good fit, we’ll review your publishing package options—from our best-in-class Flagship and Enterprise packages to the more economical Essential and Premium packages—and walk through timelines, deliverables, and next steps.

For some people the Acquisitions Call will give them clarity that they aren’t quite ready for a publishing contract. And for others—the 30 out of 1500 submissions that ultimately sign a publishing deal each month—the Acquisitions Call is the final step before officially beginning their publishing journey. It’s where both we and you confirm that the partnership feels right, that you understand the contract fully, and that you’re excited about the path ahead.

If we are both sure we want to move forward right away, the AE will walk you through signing your contract and paying the first installment. If you need more time to make your decision, you’ll have two weeks to sign and make your first deposit.

The AEs are there to make sure you leave the call confident and informed—no matter what happens next.

Let’s Get That Call Scheduled!

If you haven’t yet, click here to Schedule your Acquisitions Call. We’ll look forward to talking with you about your book!

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