1. I forgot to include a self-address, stamped envelope with my manuscript/query!
What if the publisher really loves it? I'll never know!
Relax. If your book is something that catches the publisher's eye, they will
cough up the thirty-nine cents to let you know, or they might even spend more
money and call you by phone!
2. When I send my manuscript, should I staple it or paperclip it?
Either use paperclip or nothing at all. Don't use staples. The editor needs
to be able to easily sift through pages of your work or pass them along to
other people.
3. I have heard that 'X' publisher/agent has a bad reputation. Is this true?
Check out Preditors and Editors (http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/).
They provide a list of agents and editors, their addresses and submission
guidelines, and if people have had problems with them in the past.
4. An editor/agent has asked to see more of my work. How do I make sure I don't
have to sit through the slushpile again?
Write "Requested Material" on the outside of the envelope. If the editor
sees this and recognizes your name, they will get to it quicker. Do NOT use
this as a ploy to get the editor's attention if they haven't asked for your
work. They will find it irritating and presumptuous that you sent them
something under false pretenses, and your work will go into the recycle bin.
5. I've heard that I should include a confirmation postcard with my manuscript
that the editor can mail back to me to ensure me they've received it. Is this
a good idea?
It depends on the publishing house. Some get so much mail that postcards get
lost in a sea of papers and never sent. Some will send them back to you, but
many won't. It's up to you if you want to include the postcard. I prefer to
have delivery confirmation added by the post office. True, it doesn't guarantee
me that the editor is looking at my manuscript, but it does guarantee that it
made it into the building.
6. A publisher told me they are interested in my work but that I will need to pay
a fee. Is this supposed to happen?
Traditional publishers will not charge you money to get your work published.
Vanity publishers, on the other hand, will.
7. What are vanity publishers?
Vanity publishers are also called subsidy publishers because they rely on
the author to help subsidize the cost of the publication. For a fee, they will
print and bind your book. There are several drawbacks to subsidy publishers:
the books cost more, which may discourage people from buying; many bookstores
don't carry books by vanity publishers; reviewers don't look at books by vanity
publishers. This is because most vanity publishers will print even poorly
written stories as long as they get their fee.
8. I have a bunch of great stories to submit to a publisher. Can I send them all
at once?
I would advise against that unless you're already an established author or have
a relationship established with the editor. Editors are extremely busy people,
and they like to give as many potential writers as possible a chance. Not only
that, but if the first piece of yours they read is underdeveloped, what is
their incentive to read the remaining five pieces?
9. I want to send my manuscript out to several publishers at once. Is this allowed?
It depends on the publisher. Some prefer exclusivity and will not take work
being simultaneously submitted to other publishers. Check out the latest
Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market to see who does and who doesn't
accept simultaneous submissions. If you do choose to send to several publishers
at once, indicate this in your query letter as a courtesy.
10. What else should my query letter include?
A good query letter has: a hook; the title of the book; a brief
(one or two line) description of the book; a word count; a target audience; any
writing credentials; contact information.