A Crash
Course in Submitting a Manuscript
by Laura Backes
Write4Kids.com
While
the submission process may feel like second nature to
experienced writers, it's easy to forget that newcomers
aren't aware of the specific procedures. And since
everyone can benefit from a refresher course now and
then, here's a rundown of the steps:
First, collect addresses of appropriate publishers by
perusing market guides like Children's Writer's &
Illustrator's Market , industry newsletters such as
Children's Book Insider (http://write4kids.com/aboutcbi.html),
and looking through similar books at the store or library.
Then send a self- addressed, stamped envelope to the
publisher asking for writer's guidelines (you can start
this process while you're still writing your book as it
may take a few weeks to receive a response). Review the
guidelines carefully to make sure your manuscript fits
with what the publisher is looking for.
Most publishers want to see the entire manuscript for
picture books. Type your manuscript on white paper,
double spaced, indenting at the beginning of each
paragraph. Use at least one inch margins on each side,
and justify the left margin only. Put your name and the
title of the book at the top of each page, and number the
pages consecutively. Your name, address, phone number and
email should appear in the upper left-hand corner of the
first page. Center the title of the manuscript about a
third of the way down on page 1, skip a line, and then
start the text.
Don't break the text up into pages as it would appear in
the finished book, and don't include illustrations unless
you're a professional artist (in which case, send a black
and white dummy with a sketch of each illustration and 2-3
copies of finished color illustrations along with the
typed manuscript). Send with a brief cover letter stating
the title, intended age group, and word count of the
story. Add any previous publishing experience and
memberships to writing organizations (if you don't have
such experience, leave this section out). Mention if this
is a simultaneous submission (sending the manuscript to
several publishers at once), and include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope (SASE) with enough postage to return the
manuscript if necessary.
For longer fiction, publishers often want a query letter
and sample chapters. The query starts out with the same
basic information as the cover letter above, but also
includes a brief synopsis of the plot. Try to write the
query in the same style as the manuscript, and include
information on the main characters, the conflict and the
resolution of the plot. Add your publishing experience,
and tell the editor you can send the entire manuscript if
she's interested. Ideally, the entire query letter will
fit on one page. Send with the first two chapters of the
manuscript and a SASE.
For longer nonfiction, a book proposal is generally
requested. This gives a brief overview of the book (one
or two paragraphs describing the tone and slant of the
information), and a chapter-by-chapter outline (with a
sentence or two listing the information covered in each
chapter). Attach the first two chapters if it's requested
in the writer's guidelines, and also a bibliography of
your resources. In your cover letter, list the target
audience, the estimated length of the finished
manuscript, why your book is different from others on the
market on the same subject, and your expertise on the
topic. Send with a SASE.
Nonfiction picture book publishers may require a query (in
which case you'd outline the book in one or two
paragraphs and also include the information from the
nonfiction cover letter above), or the entire manuscript.
If sending the whole manuscript, attach a brief cover
letter as with fiction picture books, but also mention
how your book fits into the current market and your
credentials on the topic.
Following the proper submission procedures gets easier
with practice, and ensures that your manuscript will get
a serious look. Take the time to give each editor exactly
what she wants, and she'll give your work closer
consideration.
Note: For much more information on writing cover letters,
query letters and book proposals, see Author to Editor:
Query Letter Secrets of the Pros, edited by Linda Arms
White. It includes over 30 actual queries used by authors
to sell everything from picture books to young adult
nonfiction. Go to http://write4kids.com/a2e.html
for
all the details.
©
Copyright 2003, Children's Book Insider, LLC
(For details on Manuscript Formatting for novels, click here)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laura Backes is the publisher of Children's Book Insider,
the Newsletter for Children's Writers. For more
information about writing children's books, including
free articles, market tips, insider secrets and much
more, visit Children's Book Insider's home on the web at http://write4kids.com
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All work remains the property of Fiction Factor, unless expressly granted by written permission from the author.
