Submitting Manuscripts To Publishers
Put Your Best Foot Forward When Submitting Your Manuscript
Author: Marvin Cloud
Every week, editors and book agents, receive many first-time authors’ manuscripts for review purposes. Some authors want them to read their manuscript and give them a complete written report while others simply want them to look at their manuscript and see if the possibility exists that they can help them to publish it as a book.
Still others, while acknowledging the rough draft form of their manuscript, only want professional thoughts of what they believe to be a bestseller. Most editors believe everyone possesses a story inside of them; although they know that people also encompass varying degrees of gifts and level of skills.
Some even maintain the uncanny ability to “look beyond the faults” of most new authors and can see their story or book idea – regardless of their ability to write it. So while many of their manuscripts come to them, apologetically, many do not expect most of them to write on the order of a Rick Warren.
These manuscripts come in all manner of formats, including being written by hand on yellow legal pads or typed on an old-school styled typewriter. Regardless of the format, and although some editors still consider it an honor to receive their interest, the lack of reasonable care that some people employ takes most of them aback.
In the self-publishing arena, author services companies get their share of clients who can pay in full for their publishing projects. Yet, many common, everyday men and women whose dreams of being published may be stymied by financial resources.
But there is an old saying which circulated in the inner-city streets of Houston, Texas, by proud, working mothers, “You may not be rich, but you don’t have to be dirty.”
Can you imagine what happens when some of the manuscripts are sent to major publishing concerns or agents for possible representation – in the same shape?
Every author owes it to his or herself to learn the generally accepted manuscript formatting style and should at least use the spell-check function in their word processor. Author and writing coach Jessica Morrell, allowed me to reprint her report, “The Top Ten Reasons A Manuscript Is Rejected,” in a book for writers.
I often refer others to it regardless of whether they want to pursue a major publishing contract or self-publish a few copies for their family members. The majority of the top ten reasons pertain to fiction books, however the first three applies to everyone – even if your book falls into the non-fiction category.
1. The manuscript format is inappropriate or contains errors. There are no exceptions to the guidelines for manuscript submission. Margins, line spacing, formats must be adhered to or your manuscript will be ignored.
Note: Do not send it to the wrong person or place. An editor or agent wants to know that you have chosen him or her for a specific reason. Submission requires meticulous research and care. Whenever possible, make contacts in the industry and in general, send brief inquiries before sending any manuscript pages.
2. The writing style is sloppy, flowery, cluttered with modifiers. Overuse of modifiers is one of the most obvious indicators of an unsophisticated or sloppy writer at work. The simple solution is to limit your use of modifiers and use them only when they contain information that a noun or verb cannot.
3. Mechanical errors such as spelling mistakes, grammar slip-ups, poorly constructed sentences, or punctuation problems. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, these errors will knock you out of the running. Editors and agents are only interested in professional, polished and error-free writing.
I’ll save you the horror stories, but suffice it to say that the preceding three points underscores by far the state of the manuscripts received by book publishing executives. The saying still rings true: “You may not be rich, but you don’t have to be dirty.”
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/put-your-best-foot-forward-when-submitting-your-manuscript-40538.html
About the Author
Marvin D. Cloud provides a self-publishing alternative at mybestseller.com. For a free writers’ workbook and online marketing tips, go to http://mybestseller.com/html/marketing_tips.
Tagged with: authors • bestseller • book • first time • manuscript • publish • rough draft
Filed under: Uncategorized
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As a published author I can for certain give you these tips.
1) Buy a copy of The Writer’s Market. It list publishers, what genre they accept and how to submit. Most important it will tell you if a publisher accepts from a first time author. It will save you time and postage. Many of them also list email addresses. If you are serious this book is a writer’s bible.
2) Each publisher varies. If you do not take the time to find out how they accept submissions…they will not consider your work if it is sent in the wrong way.
3) BEWARE! There are many vanity presses that look good at first. Don’t pay to have your own book published unless you have money to blow. A serious publishing house will not take you serious if you opt for a vanity press. If you have to start with a small publisher…so be it. Your royalty’s may be smaller at first but, at least you did not pay to get your work into print. A real publisher pays you!
4) Be prepared to edit and rewrite!
5) Be prepared to promote yourself side by side with your publisher.
BEST OF LUCK AND MUCH SUCCESS!
Robinette
Author of Susquehanna Spirits
Tor is one of the largest publishers of science fiction. Check Writer’s Market for Tor’s submission policy.
Have you ever read a book in block style?
Just sayin’.
Indent it.
It looks like a real novel that way, versus a collection of sentences strewn here and there.
Good luck on getting published 🙂
Get a copy of the Writer’s Market or Author’s Yearbook.
I believe that when you give an ‘exclusive’ submission to a publisher, you need to indicate a ‘until when’ clause to let them know when that exclusivity expires. If you did not do so, you can probably send them a ‘notification’ letter advising them that unless you hear directly from them within (for example) 30 days, you will consider their right to exclusive submission ended and that you are WITHDRAWING the submission from them and will be submitting the item elsewhere. That should cover you.
Submitting manuscript to publishers?
When you submit a manuscript to a publisher, which way is most appropriate, a hard copy, or a CD?
How long after submitting an exclusive submission do I have to wait before submitting to another publisher?
I submitted a manuscript as an exclusive submission to a publisher, received my response card saying they had the manuscript and then followed up 3 months later. I have not since heard anything from them. How long do I legally have to wait before I can submit my manuscript to another publisher?
Who are the best publishers to submit fiction manuscripts to?
Hi, I’m in the process of finishing a very hot novel. It’s a mixture of Black pop, science fiction and reality. Any tips on who are the best publishers to submit my work to?
Thanks in advance for all of your attention!
I have a book proposal do i need to find a agent?
I have read some submission requirements for submitting manuscripts from publishers and they all say they wont accept unsolicited manuscripts. do i need to hire an agent? and how do i do that?
i do. but i dont know whereabouts of finding one.
Do publishers prefer manuscripts with “block style” paragraphs or with indentions?
I have been writing for a newspaper for a couple of years, so I have gotten into the habit of writing in block style (no indentions). However, I am submitting a manuscript to a publisher who has requested that the manuscript be double-spaced. In block style, the paragraphs all run together since space, rather than indentions, seperate blocked paragraphs. I was going to indent, but it just seems sloppy to me. Do most publishers prefer block style or indentions?