How to Submit a Manuscript for Publishing

Tips on How to Ensure an Editor Sees Your Manuscript

Mar 7, 2007

Tips on Prepping a Manuscript for Publishing , sw damaged manuscript - morgue files

Too often, new writers send their manuscript out before it is ready, or they send it to the wrong publishing house. What can you do to avoid this?

Sending out your manuscript to a publishing house is often the most frightening step in the writing process for new writers. After months or even years of hard work, the possibility of rejection can be daunting, so much so that some emerging authors chose the safety and darkness of a top drawer or a filing cabinet over the fear of sending their treasured manuscript to an unknown slush pile on the desk of a faceless editor.

Six Important Tips to Ensure an Editor Will Look at Your Manuscript

Rejection is the nemesis of all authors, both experienced and inexperienced, but it is also an inevitable part of being a writer. Although it cannot be avoided, here are some tipsto ensure that, at the very least,the acquisitions editor will look at your manuscript.

Check and double check for spelling and grammar errors. If necessary, hire a freelance editor to review your manuscript. They charge between $60 to $100 dollars/hour and are well worth the investment. (See Kimberly Dawn Well's article: Don't Show Your Mom on who not to ask to evaluate your work)

Research before you send: Send your manuscript to the appropriate publishing house. Far too often, writers do not research the publisher before they send their manuscript. No matter how well you write, a publisher that only prints gardening books will not accept your brilliant poetry collection.

Once you have chosen a publisher(s), investigate their submission guidelines. Some publisher will accept manuscripts electronically, others won’t. Some want to see the first three to five chapters of your book; others want to see the complete manuscript.

Start small. Small, local publishers are the best bet for first time writers. It’s okay to think big, but start small. The big publishing houses do sometimes take on first time authors, but your chances of being signed by a smaller publisher are much better.

Send your manuscript to the right person. Take the time to find out the name of the acquisition’s editor, before you send off your manuscript.

Many publishing houses state they will not receive multiple submissions. For the writer, this might mean waiting up to six months just to receive either the dreaded rejection letter, or the welcome acceptance letter in the mail. It is okay to submit to more than one publisher as long as you let them know in your cover letter that you have sent your manuscript to other publishers.

Never send the original manuscript, unless you don’t care if you never see it again. Publishers will not return your manuscript, whether or not is accepted or rejected.

Enclose a SASE, (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) if requested.

Don't Hesitate: Send the Manuscript

Even the very best writers must learn to face rejection. As Samuel Becket said: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.