I need some help - please?

[yawning801]

I'm close to giving up! I've been searching fruitlessly to find an appropriate publisher for my book.

My requirements:

1. doesn't charge (IMO, if the publisher charges then you have to be verrrry careful)
2. not a vanity publisher (I've had plenty of experience with them)
3. accepts unsolicited manuscripts
4. preferably accepts Word/PDFs
5. prints physical copies

I know I sound picky, but I've had too much experience with vanity publishers and now I'm over-sceptical. Does anyone have any recommendations (and some spare motivation if possible)?

What sort of book is it? Novel? Short stories? Is it finished? You will almost certainly need an agent as hardly any publishers look at things that don't come through an agent.

Your first stop would be The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, which should be available at your local library. The 2018 edition is available now.

Do read the articles in there about getting published - they contain very useful advice.

Thank you blue, I don't know whether to class it as a novel or a novella! 72 A4 pages, size 11 font. I'll certainly have a look at The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.

How many words, OP? What genre?
I'd second going through the agents in the yearbook once you're sure it's ready to go out.