What to do before sending your manuscript to a book publisher

 

 

"I am a publisher—a hybrid creature: one part stargazer, one part gambler, one part businessman, one part midwife and three parts optimist."
- Cass Canfield, American Publisher and Editor


 
WordsRU - Book Publisher

 

 

Although individual publisher or literary agent requirements may vary, the submission of your manuscript—a novel, for example—will typically include:

 

  • Cover letter (sometimes referred to as a ‘query’ letter).

  • Author’s brief biography, especially any writing and publishing achievements.

  • Synopsis or story outline of your manuscript.

  • Title page and the first or the first three chapters.

  • Any background or history relevant to the manuscript.

 

In this group of five components, preparation of a synopsis and / or story outline is the one act (in addition to having your work edited and proofread), that will most benefit the advancement of your writing as well as representing a crucial element in the submission of your work to book publishers and agents. For those who may be a little confused about the differences, they are:

 

SYNOPSIS

 

A synopsis is an overview of your story and its length can vary depending on publisher or agent requirements. It does not go into all the details but focuses on key events and establishes the nature of the work; the plot that derives from the aims and motivations of your characters. It sets the tone of the action, and leads to the ultimate resolution of your story – there must be a logical flow to it even if there are technical ploys to add interest or enhance the suspense. Your editor, proofreader, agent and publisher — not to mention your readers — will be looking to see that the character development underpinning your narrative is logical, rational and credible in the context of the unfolding story. Start at the beginning and mention in overview the major developments and action, and the ultimate resolution.   

 

STORY OUTLINE

 

A story outline, on the other hand, is a much more detailed and complex document. It is a framework that breaks your manuscript down chapter-by-chapter, scene-by-scene so that you know exactly what is going to happen in each scene and its resolution (or the point at which that action is subsequently resumed later in the narrative). It serves as a road map, but one that is not fixed because at the stroke of a pen, you and your characters can create new routes, overpasses, culverts, ditches, lanes and locales. Keep it up to date as you write and it will keep you, the author, on track.

 

Story telling begins with characters and as you progress through the writing of your manuscript, you may change tack or the characters will lead themselves into new situations. Be sure to note in your outline as you work through the narrative. In this way, you can check that there is a resolution to each story line, and that there are no extraneous threads or loose ends – ideas that go nowhere; the sort of things that leave prospective publishers (and your editor or proofreader) in deep despair.

 

Irrespective of whether the manuscript you are sending to your literary agent or book publisher is a novel, biography, user manual, collection of short stories, poetry compilation or a cookbook, the single most beneficial thing you can do to enhance its prospect of receiving that sought-after favorable response is to invest in a professional edit. WordsRU’s online editing service has been established for several years and has gained an international reputation for quality service and speedy turnaround with manuscript editing in all genres.

 

WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL BOOK?

 

In early 2006, Sam Tanenhaus, Book Review Editor for The New York Times contacted 200 or so prominent critics, editors, writers and other literary luminaries and invited them to identify "the single best work of American fiction published in the last 25 years."

 

The winner was:

Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987)

And the runners-up were:

Underworld by Don DeLillo (1997)
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985)
Rabbit Angstrom: The Four Novels byJohn Updike (1995)

    • Rabbit at Rest 1990)
    • Rabbit Is Rich (1981)
    • Rabbit Redux (1971)
    • Rabbit, Run (1960)

American Pastoral by Philip Roth (1997)

 

It is surely no accident that the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present as selected by Time critics Lev Grossman and Richard Lacayo features several of the same books, including Beloved, Blood Meridian and Rabbit, Run as well as Don DeLillo’s White Noise (rather than his Underworld).

 

What do these books have in common?

What special qualities do their authors have that make their books so enjoyable and internationally accepted?

 

Writing is a hugely individual pursuit and every form that it takes is an expression of the writer's unique point of view. The primary attribute of authors is that they write because they feel compelled to do so; because they have something to say – in whatever genre they choose to express themselves. In the first instance they are generally not writing to make money or sell books, but because they want to say something. While publication of manuscripts may be the end of the process, it is worth noting that the submission requirements of book publishers will serve authors very well in the work required to complete a manuscript.

 

The majority of authors, and especially first-time authors, should not even think of contacting a publisher until their manuscript is either complete or nearly complete and then only if it has been professionally edited. In this regard, thousands of our satisfied (and repeat) customers will recommend to you that WordsRU is their provider of choice for an online editing service.

 

Some years ago the well known editorial director of Corgi Books, Michael Legat, who subsequently became an internationally acclaimed published author, listed the 10 qualities that contribute to a successful writer. They are shown here along with some remarks that stem from the experience of WordsRU’s professional editors and writers:

 

Discipline.

Write regularly and keep the “writing muscle” flexible. Llike every muscle, regular use and a sticking to a writing timetable can help keep it in good working order.

Stamina.

It takes a lot of stamina to write a book and follow it through to publication, but if you establish an achievable daily word count and keep to it, you will be amazed at how much you can achieve over a few months or a year. Once you are in a routine, try increasing that initial word count objective and you will achieve even more.

A love of words.

Elsewhere in these WordsRU resource notes, reference has been made to the importance of le mot juste — the right word. The English language is enormously rich and exploring it is one of the most rewarding aspects of writing. Have fun as you discover the words that help make your unique voice sing as it brings your creative ideas to life.  

Observation.

Become an observer. Keep a notebook and record whatever strikes you as interesting; people, locations, events. Once you get into a habit of doing this, you will be surprised at how useful it can become. Don’t forget that reading about how others solved their writing problems can offer huge insights as well.

Imagination.

This is an obvious quality but sometimes an aspect of the writing muscle that is not exercised. Imagination can be an infinite source of inspiration for transporting you and your readers to a realm that is outside your direct experience and observation. It is not only fiction writers who need this quality, but non-fiction writers too as it enables both groups to see the opportunities that are available for further exploration.

Experience.

Irrespective of genre, it is individual experience (and not necessarily direct experience) that informs the work of an author.  

Something to say.

It is not necessary to have a ‘message’ as such to put across to your readers, just a simple story you wish to share may be all you need to create something memorable. It can be as simple as a camping trip, an exploration of relationships, or theories to save the planet from global warming—a novel, a biography, children’s story, literature review, memoir, a scholarly transposition, thesis or dissertation — or perhaps a poem, a collection of essays or short stories. The possibilities are endless!

A Professional Attitude.

Michael Legat suggests that it is good to tell yourself that you are a professional. Once you start behaving like a professional writer, you soon will become one. As your awareness and craftsmanship increase, so too will your appreciation of the value of editing and proofreading and the myriad opportunities available to bring your work to the attention of your prospective readers.

An Awareness of the Market.

As you develop a professional attitude, your understanding of the overall market increases and with it a recognition of possible niches for your work. You will discover the most likely publishers by giving your work the best chance of acceptance as well as other valuable information that will enhance your chances of success.  

Dissatisfaction and self-confidence.

The prospect of reading, redrafting and refining your manuscript is part and parcel of the craft of writing. This is not a tedious or negative process but positive steps in honing and refining your craft. Develop the confidence to know when you have gone as far as you can go; when you need that fresh pair of eyes, and seek the help of WordsRU’s editorial service and our professional online editors and proofreaders to review, copy edit and polish what you have done. In this way, you can be sure that your manuscript is in the best possible shape for your publisher to present to your readers.  

 

WHERE TO GO TO FIND YOUR LITERARY AGENT OR PUBLISHER

 

Check out various directories in your city, state or country and the Internet for:

  • Local writer groups

  • Local or national author societies

  • Publishers’ Associations – for a list of publishers and contact details

  • Literary Agents’ Associations – for agents’ contact details

  • Purchase a copy of the annual independent guides to literary agencies and publishers looking for new writers (available in the UK, USA and elsewhere)

  • Writers’ journals

  • Bookshops

  • Google search of the Internet

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