For many writers, the pursuit of traditional publication can seem obscure and intimidating. The process of submitting your work to a publisher, however, involves a series of concrete, manageable stages. Understanding these steps can transform the daunting prospect of submission into a clear process, bringing you closer to seeing your book in print.
Prepare Your Manuscript for Submission
Before a manuscript is ready for an agent or publisher, it must be elevated beyond a first draft. The initial step is self-editing, where you address major plot holes, character inconsistencies, and pacing issues. This phase requires distance, so setting the manuscript aside for a few weeks can provide the fresh perspective needed to identify areas for improvement.
After your own revisions, seeking feedback from beta readers is a valuable next step. These are trusted readers who can provide an audience’s perspective on what works and what doesn’t. Following their feedback, engaging a professional editor is a standard practice. Developmental editing focuses on the big picture, copyediting corrects grammar and style, and proofreading catches any final errors.
The final preparation step involves formatting your document to industry standards, which signals your professionalism. A title page should include the book’s title, your name, and contact information, and all pages should be consecutively numbered. For the main document, follow these guidelines:
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
- Double-space the entire text.
- Set margins to one inch on all sides.
- Indent each new paragraph by a half-inch.
Craft Your Submission Package
With a polished manuscript, the focus shifts to creating the submission package that will introduce your work. This package acts as marketing material for your book, and its central component is the query letter. This one-page document is your professional introduction to a literary agent and must be a concise, compelling sales pitch designed to pique their interest.
A successful query letter has three main parts. It begins with a hook, a captivating sentence or two that introduces the main character and the central conflict. This is followed by the pitch, a brief plot summary of around 150-200 words. This section should outline the protagonist’s goals, the stakes, and primary obstacles, all while conveying the book’s tone and genre. The letter concludes with a short author biography, including any relevant publications or credentials.
Alongside the query letter, you will need a synopsis. Unlike the query’s pitch, which is designed to entice, the synopsis is a straightforward summary of the entire plot from beginning to end. It is one to two pages long and written in the third person, present tense. The synopsis demonstrates to the agent that you have a well-structured story with a coherent narrative arc and a satisfying resolution.
Find a Literary Agent
For authors seeking publication by major houses, securing a literary agent is an almost mandatory step, as most large publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. An agent serves as your advocate, using their connections and knowledge of the market to place your book with the right editor. Their role extends beyond the initial sale to negotiating contracts and managing subsidiary rights.
The search for an agent begins with targeted research to identify those who represent your specific genre. Sending your query to every agent is inefficient; instead, focus on agents with a track record of selling books like yours. Resources for this research include online databases like Publishers Marketplace and QueryTracker, which allow you to search by genre. The Manuscript Wish List (#MSWL) on social media and its website are also useful, as agents post what they are looking for.
Once you have a list of potential agents, research each one individually. Visit their agency website to read their biography and check their submission guidelines. Look at the authors they represent to see if your work is a good fit. This research helps you personalize your query letter. Also, vet agents to ensure they are reputable using resources like Writer Beware, which provides information on scams and unethical practices.
Follow Submission Guidelines Carefully
Every literary agent and publishing house has its own specific submission guidelines, which are available on their website. Failing to follow these instructions to the letter is one of the most common and easily avoidable reasons for a submission to be rejected without being read. Meticulous attention to detail is required at this stage.
Guidelines vary significantly between agents. Some may ask you to paste the first ten pages of your manuscript into an email, while others request a document attachment. Pay close attention to how they want the email subject line formatted. Adhering to these rules demonstrates your professionalism and respect for the agent’s process.
Navigate the Post-Submission Waiting Game
Once you send your query, the waiting period begins. It is helpful to manage your expectations, as response times vary widely from a few weeks to several months. Some agencies have a “no response means no” policy, so if their stated window passes, assume it’s a rejection and move on.
The responses you receive will fall into a few categories, from rejection to an offer of representation:
- A form rejection, which is a generic pass.
- A personalized rejection, which may offer a brief reason the agent passed.
- A request for a partial or full manuscript, which is a significant step forward.
- An offer of representation.
During this waiting period, proper etiquette is important. It is acceptable to send one polite follow-up email if you haven’t heard back after the agent’s specified reading period has passed, often around three months. If you receive an offer of representation from one agent, it is professional courtesy to notify any other agents who are currently considering your manuscript. This gives them a chance to read and make their own offer.