| > | | | | separate document and you're using Word, click |
| Send in a sloppy, grubby manuscript and your | | | | on the link below and go to the 'Writers |
| chances of rejection are greatly increased. Send in | | | | Questions' page if you want to know how to do |
| a smart, clean, tidy manuscript and the publishers | | | | this. |
| offices will ring with the cry - "Hey, here's | | | | 4. Use a cover sheet which should give: the Title |
| someone who knows how to do it properly! | | | | of the work; your name and pseudonym if you |
| Break out the Champaign! Bring on the dancing | | | | use one, address and telephone number, plus an |
| girls!' But maybe not the latter if it's a Monday. | | | | email address if you have one. Also give the |
| Publishers are inundated with manuscripts. In most | | | | number of words, usually to the nearest 1,000 for |
| cases they are unsolicited. They didn't ask for | | | | a novel or 100 if a short story. Finally add the |
| them, they just arrived in a flurry of dust laden | | | | date. |
| wings like angels of doom. Problem: which to read | | | | 5. Staples are anathema as are any method of |
| first. Ah, here's one that's half decent. It's clean | | | | binding the pages. Publishers do not like going |
| and tidy and looks pleasant enough to read. Let's | | | | around with broken finger nails, especially the |
| give this a try. | | | | ladies. You will definitely lose brownie points if you |
| The point is this: if you please the editor with a | | | | don't adhere strictly to this rule. You have been |
| first class, well presented offering then your stock | | | | warned. |
| will go up faster than the price of oil and you'll | | | | 6. Enclose a brief (that is to say - brief) covering |
| have a head start against the other losers. | | | | letter. |
| So let's get down to it. How can you impress the | | | | 7. Keep a backup copy of your work on a |
| editor or publisher with the presentation of your | | | | CD-ROM, a memory stick or some other device |
| manuscript? | | | | so that you don't lose it through computer |
| 1. Use double spacing and print or type on one | | | | breakdowns. And if you are using one of those. |
| side of the paper only. | | | | er, now what are they called, oh yes, typewriters |
| 2. Put the title of the work only (not your name | | | | make sure you get your manuscript photocopied |
| or any other fascinating information) at the top of | | | | before sending it off. Some publishers have, on |
| every page. This helps if the person reading your | | | | very rae occasions you understand, been known |
| novel drops them all over the floor along with | | | | to lose stuff. |
| someone else's. | | | | Having said all this, here's a word to the wise: get |
| 3. Number the pages at the bottom. This is an | | | | hold of your prospective publisher's submission |
| absolute must because if the person reading your | | | | guidelines and follow them to the letter. Their |
| work drops them all over the floor (what again?) | | | | requirements may differ from those I give above |
| he/she will know how to cobble them back | | | | so treat them with respect. Remember publishers |
| together again. For a novel number the pages | | | | are gods and we wouldn't want to be on the |
| straight through. Don't start afresh at the start of | | | | receiving end of any thunderbolts for getting it |
| a new chapter. If you put each chapter into a | | | | wrong, would we? |