Getting approaches to publishers right

Getting published is tough but you can give yourself a better chance if you do the proper preparation. Here are some thoughts:

Send them what they want Most publishers have certain requirements for work that is being submitted. For example, some want to receive a sample chapter and a brief synopsis of the plot, others prefer a full manuscript. Before you send a manuscript, it is a good idea to find out what is required and find out the name of the person you should send your submission to. The best publication for obtaining this information, certainly for UK writers, is the Writers’ and Artists‘ Yearbook.

Preparing your manuscript to send to a publisher Prepare your submission according to the publisher’s requirements. Details are important, so make sure your work is professionally presented and has been proof-read. The manuscript should be double spaced, with generous margins, and printed on one side of the paper only. The pages should be numbered. It is usually best not to bind or staple the manuscript: use a fastening that will allow the publisher to photocopy the manuscript easily if they wish.

Sending your manuscript to a publisher
Accompany your manuscript with a brief covering letter, not to ‘sell‘ your manuscript, but to provide some brief details. You might wish to give a little bit of background about yourself, and a description of the plot. It may be worthwhile mentioning your publishing history. For example, if you have won a short story competition (like ours!) or had short stories published in magazines this will be relevant. But keep the covering letter factual. None of this ‘my mum read it and laughed like a drain’!

Include a stamped self-addressed envelope for the return of your manuscript.

Hearing back from publishers
Publishers receive many manuscripts: it is not surprising then that it can take some time to hear back. Many publishers will send you a brief note when they receive your manuscript – often a pre-printed card – to say they have received the manuscript and to give you an indication of how long it will be before you hear from them. Most will take at least a month or two to look at your manuscript and some will take longer. If you have heard nothing after two or three months, and have not received an acknowledgement of receipt of your manuscript, it may be worth ringing the publisher to make sure the package arrived.

Good luck!

John Dean