These things take time... and it did take me about two years to get my first book into print because that was about how long it took for me to gain the knowledge and start my own publishing company.
Anymore, most of these companies, both small and large are looking for writers who have shown consistency and "staying power", not just someone who has completed a book and expects it to be published. I know for a fact that most of the African American owned firms do look at websites like Timbooktu (
www.timbooktu.com), Rhaspody(sp?) (go to Sadorian.com to find the link because I think they are changing it), NubianChronicles.net to see who post on a regular and in many cases, that in addition to how good the work is and whether or not they want to invest in it is how authors get selected. I know for a fact that most of the writers in Zane's publishing company have had a web prescence for at least three years and continue to have one.
Have you copyrighted your work yet? If not I suggest you do that while you are waiting. Go to
www.loc.gov to get your Form TX. It only cost $30 and because the work is not published yet, you can send one copy of the work. It can be a rough draft copy because the copyright applies to the context and character of the work. Just make sure it is a typewritten work and there are no handwritten marks on them.
Well, another thing while you are waiting is to consider having another editor look at your work. Not saying that the one you have now isn't good, but it is always good to have at least two pairs of eyes (there than yours) looking at your work. True, you will have to pay them, but trust me, it is better to pay for an independent editor to look at your work than to expect the publisher to do it. It makes the publishing process go by a little faster and may get your foot in the door. Alot of these editors have connections to some of these publishing firms and you may get to one well recommended. Plus, this will give you time to get a head start on the revisions that the company is going to ask you to do anyway. I suggest you go to R. A. W. Sistaz
Have you tried contacting other published authors, especially those who write children's stories. Many of them are very approachable and those book blurbs I was talking about in a post I put up about two months ago are also marketing tools that will become very useful in promoting your book.
I'm not talking to just CT4, I am just simply stating the facts for everyone who may think about becoming a published author. I know at times when I am talking about it I may come off as a "know it all" and perhaps a little arrogant, but I feel that it is my duty to help all aspiring authors try to reach their goal as Omar Tyree, E. Lynn Harris, C. Kelly Robinson, Brandon Massey, Timmothy B. McCann to name a few have and continue to do with me.