1. The Author:
* Initial Decision: The author is the first to decide if their manuscript is ready to be shared with the world. They evaluate its quality, scope, and intended audience.
* Choosing a Publishing Path: The author decides whether to pursue traditional publishing (with a publishing house), self-publishing, or an alternative route like academic journals.
2. The Publisher/Journal:
* Submission and Review: The author submits the manuscript to a publisher (for books) or a journal (for academic articles).
* Editorial Assessment: An editor evaluates the manuscript's suitability for the publisher/journal.
* Peer Review: In academic publishing, the manuscript often undergoes peer review, where experts in the field assess its quality, originality, and significance.
* Final Decision: The publisher/journal editor makes the final decision on whether to accept or reject the manuscript, and if accepted, how it will be published (format, editing, etc.).
3. Other Factors:
* Agent (for traditional books): If the author is represented by an agent, they may play a role in negotiations with publishers and securing the best deal.
* Marketing and Sales: The publishing house or journal considers the potential market for the manuscript and its marketing and sales strategies.
* Financial Considerations: Ultimately, the decision to publish a manuscript is also influenced by its potential financial viability.
In summary, it's a multi-layered process involving the author, publishers/journals, reviewers, agents, and other professionals who collectively decide how a manuscript is published.