Top five tips for submitting your manuscript

May 17, 2009 by Cressida Downing (Editorial Consultant)
Filed under: Getting Published, Literary Agents 

I’ve just received a very short, badly written book. I was about to write a scathing critique saying ‘don’t take on this project’ when I did my preliminary Google check, just to see if the author was in the public eye, or if there was anything else I needed to know. The vital bit of info proved to be [...] that my client had already commissioned the work.

There’s always an element of subjectivity when judging manuscripts. I hastily penned a report with plenty of constructive ‘suggestions for improvement’. Most published fiction books are between 70,000 and 100,000 words long and as this project was short, the author could expand it into a well-rounded book and not lose any of the work she had done already.

If you’re writing a manuscript you’d do well to aim for about 80,000 words as it’ll be instantly more commercial that way. Of course there are several other things to bear in mind for a professional submission.

My top five are:

  1. If you address your submission by name, check that the agency actually has an agent of that name. Some are named after a long-dead agent. It is – of course – even worse to send a letter addressed to an agent, but at another agency’s address!
  2. Submit your work in accordance with the guidelines an agency has set out in the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook – so don’t send children’s fiction to an agent that doesn’t handle it – or five chapters to an agency that has asked for three
  3. Use a standard font and word processing programme. Please don’t send in a submission in a handwriting-style font – it makes it much more difficult to read. Likewise, use a programme that most people can access, such as Word or Adobe.
  4. Mention your relevant writing experience, such as prizes won, publications you have had, or courses you have gone on.
  5. Keep your submission short and to the point. It’s great to see an author who has really thought about the marketing of their work, or potential illustrations, but that is the work a publisher will do after taking it on – so it’s not necessary at this stage.

Yours, Cressida

(Freelance editorial consultant)

Related posts

<b>Print this post</b> Print this post

Comments

47 Comments on Top five tips for submitting your manuscript

  1. lawrenceez on May 26, 2009 at 15:33pm

    2. This is reassuring, as I completed a rewrite of my first novel the other night and the word count has gone from 92,000 words to 86,000. I’ve had to take out much of the antagonist’s back story and replace the material with a much more likely plot.

    Excellent website all round!

  2. writersandartists on May 28, 2009 at 10:40am

    3. Even known writers can struggle if their manuscript is on the long side. Author John Sayles can’t find a publisher for his 1,000 page epic – and it took him a decade to write.
    See http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/may/27/fiction – is life too short?

  3. lawrenceez on May 31, 2009 at 12:27pm

    4. Interesting article on John Sayles.

  4. jenniferneri on Jun 1, 2009 at 14:56pm

    5. Hmm – you say ‘ if addressing by name’ – I’ve invested huge efforts into directing my queries to the correct people. How would I submit otherwise? Dear so and so agency?
    To submissions?
    I always assumed that if a query came in to an agency this way it wouldn’t even be read! Am I wrong?

  5. Cressida on Jun 2, 2009 at 19:49pm

    6. jenniferneri – authors write in to ‘Dear Sir/Madam’, ‘Dear Sir’ (when it’s one-woman band agency), ‘Dear Agent X’ (when it’s Agent Y’s agency), or the equivalent of sending a letter to ‘Dear Mr Marks and Mr Spencer’ – when the business name reflects long dead owners.

  6. lawrenceez on Jun 3, 2009 at 11:35am

    7. I once heard (or read) that it’s perfectly okay to call the office and clarify the agent’s name with the receptionist.

  7. jenniferneri on Jun 4, 2009 at 16:48pm

    8. Yes lawren, I do that all the time. And I confirm addresses – many times they are different from the one listed.

  8. lawrenceez on Jun 6, 2009 at 10:48am

    9. A simple phone call or email query is perfectly okay.

  9. ria on Jul 12, 2009 at 16:15pm

    10. I’ve nearly finished my book and have noticed that tips for editing vary. Is there a commonly accepted standard I could use or should I ask each agency their requirements each time I send a manuscript?

  10. Kerry-Ann on Jul 14, 2009 at 17:32pm

    11. Oh dear, I’ve just finished a story and it’s well into 140,000 words. I was google-ing and many authors have said it was luck on their part that they got picked up with full length manuscripts of 130,000 or there abouts.
    Now I’m a little worried.
    This was helpful though, I always thought they would get annoyed with a call or email to find out a name first.

  11. Jack Heron on Jul 14, 2009 at 17:50pm

    12. I have just finished a story on my exploits as a civilian security contractor in Iraq, namely Baghdad and Basra. The manuscript contains appox 75,000 words.

    How do i go about having someone to read it and hopefully get it published and, what would be the costs involved

  12. FAIZAN AHMED on Jul 20, 2009 at 08:38am

    13. i was wondering if one writes a story. how does he/she sent it to you and how it gets published?

  13. Cressida Downing (editorial consultant) on Jul 20, 2009 at 10:09am

    14. It’s important to remember that no-one can guarantee publication – but it will give you a much better chance if you follow the advice on this website and in the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook.

    See my post, More thoughts on submission, about how to get editorial advice. Costs vary, so do shop around. If anyone wants to contact me directly for advice, please see my website, which is listed on my user profile.

    And don’t forget to create your own Writers’ & Artists’ user profile and start contacting others via their profile pages too.

  14. Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks) on Jul 20, 2009 at 13:45pm

    15. Hi, many thanks for that Cressida. I agree, and an excellent starting place is also our online listings.

    Just go to the Advanced Search and choose ‘Editorial, literary and production services’ from the dropdown menu under Category.

    You’ll need to be a registered user to access the Advanced Search. Happy hunting!

  15. TEABook25 on Aug 8, 2009 at 11:16am

    16. By reading the article above – I noticed it saying “between 70,000 and 100,000 words,” I am not sure whether this is bad news for myself.
    I have completed one book of a most likely long series – and after reviewing my computer’s word count – I noticed that I had written a rounded sum of 135,000 words.
    Will this pose a problem to future publishing, or is expanding out of the maximum acceptable?
    Please help.

  16. Shankut Somaiya on Aug 10, 2009 at 00:14am

    17. That is exactly my predicament, I am nearing to end my book which is about 140,000 words. I read somewhere that publisher prefer shorter (between 80 to 90k words) version. This is because of the risk element of the first time publishing a new writer. If this is true then I am in the same boat as TEAbook.

    Is this maximum acceptable only for the new unpublished writer?

    Shankut

  17. Asteph on Aug 10, 2009 at 13:38pm

    18. In submitting my manuscript I have been aproaching agents who deal in unsolicited scripts. I have previously sent a sample to be read by a Literary Consultancy company (and they offered feedback) but am unsure if that qualifies my work as being solicited. Can anyone suggest how I go about getting my manuscirpt solicited so that I can contact more literary agents?

  18. Shankut Somaiya on Aug 11, 2009 at 09:07am

    19. It is amazing that some of the questions raised here, remains unanswered.
    Regards

    Shankut

  19. Cressida Downing (editorial consultant) on Aug 11, 2009 at 09:24am

    20. Some questions have been answered in a later blog post of mine – so it may be worth looking through the blog to see if your question has been tackled elsewhere.

    Shankut – Yes, your first novel does sound a bit long – it’s not insurmountable, but it will make it harder to get taken on. Even established authors have to work to word limits.

    Asteph – unsolicited means it has not been asked for – ie commissioned. Most first-time authors are therefore sending in unsolicited work, but that’s fine as long as the agent or publisher in question accepts that. Do check the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook for those that accept unsolicited works.

  20. Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks) on Aug 11, 2009 at 17:11pm

    21. Hi, Just a reminder that we can’t necessarily answer individual Qs as each case is so different – and our experts are all busy people. Please don’t forget that our blog is here to encourage chat among users too. After all everyone’s got something of interest from their own experiences to share.

    Best wishes,
    Claire

  21. Shankut Somaiya on Aug 12, 2009 at 19:39pm

    22. Thank you Cressida for your prompt reply,I am now in process of cutting it down to 90k I hope that would perhaps be the right word limits.
    Regards
    Shankut

  22. writing on Aug 14, 2009 at 06:34am

    23. Did you mention pagination yet? Usually I number each page consecutively in the top right-hand corner, with the exception of the first page. There’s no need to place the number on the first page of the manuscript though.

  23. katharineagilchrist on Aug 14, 2009 at 12:39pm

    24. Hi, I am new to this site and a friend wants to know about how she, as a blind person, can submit a manuscript. Would she be able to submit it on tape?

  24. The Fiction Fairy on Aug 14, 2009 at 23:01pm

    25. Agree that pagination is a must, otherwise a lowly assistant (ie. me) will have to handwrite numbers on, which is never a good use of time.

    When sending a CV, include only information that is relevant to what you’ve written. If you’ve worked in a pub for five years and your book is based on your experiences, fine. But no one wants to look at three pages of what you studied if it has no link to what you’re writing about.

    Don’t include illustrations by yourself or friends/relatives – unless you or your friends/relatives are professional illustrators, that is. You will just end up looking amateurish, and most publishers will have their own ideas about choosing an illustrator.

  25. butterflybaby on Sep 7, 2009 at 20:26pm

    26. Hello, I’m hoping someone could tell me whether it’s relevant to include my name and book title on evry page of the sample chapters? I have got the writers and Artists yearbook, but it doesnt give these specifics. Thanks

  26. Craig Ramos-Stovin on Sep 8, 2009 at 12:23pm

    27. Hi, how does one get read by Bloomsbury as they say they no longer accept unsolicited material. As nan independent publisher I would have thought they would have a whole department set up to deal with finding new undiscovered writers?

  27. sam on Sep 19, 2009 at 03:14am

    28. I am amused here… my novel is… 210,000 words long…

    I have, of course, researched the topic like the other posters have… I am aware this is far too long for a novel, yet..

    I am heartened to hear that, while 90,000 word novels are the norm, it depends on the genre…

    sci-fi, even sci-fi lite, will tolerate more wordage than the average genre, and “Dune” was almost 200,000 words long…

    I suppose, commercial literature is designed to be disposable; entertaining, but not particularly insightful, and if you’re writing ye olde pulp fiction, the average reader doesn’t have the time to waste reading a weighty tome…

    it costs more for publishers to print fat books… they do not want thick, meaty novels- especially from first-timers like us…

    we have to accept it, and edit like crazy… the other alternative is…

    a trilogy… break the big story into three smaller ones, using the same characters… it worked for steig larrson and the Millenium series…

  28. HEATHER on Sep 21, 2009 at 13:36pm

    29. How many chapters (words approx) should you send to a prospective publisher?

  29. Laura K on Sep 21, 2009 at 23:12pm

    30. I think it varies from publisher to publisher or agent to agent but most seem to want the first three chapters or around 10,000 words. My first three chapters amounts to approx 27,000 words so they’re in for a bit of a shock!! Ha ha!! Blinkin’ postage costs are going to be horrific, especially with a return SAE. Hmmm!

  30. Jo Herbert (Editor, Writers' & Artists' Yearbook) on Sep 22, 2009 at 11:13am

    31. Hi Heather
    You must make it your business to find our exactly what the publisher (or agent) wants you to send them and then follow this to the letter. Their ’submission guidelines’ will inform you of their requirements. As a general rule, publishers and agents ask for a covering letter, synopsis and three sample chapters – but again, always check first. All best, Jo

  31. pixiemic on Oct 20, 2009 at 19:43pm

    32. Err, hi guys,
    Just signed up here in the hope of getting some tips. i’m writing a collection of short stories… i know that bit…but what comes after? once it’s written?
    Hope you’re all having a lovely evening,
    Mic

  32. Cressida Downing (editorial consultant) on Oct 22, 2009 at 10:29am

    33. Hi pixiemic,

    Have a browse through the articles on the site and that should give you some ideas of how to go about submitting your work. Let us know how you get on – and feel free to ask any questions as you go along.

  33. Sudeep on Oct 22, 2009 at 10:42am

    34. Hi Cressida,
    Foreign language words are often used in a work of fiction to add credibility and ambience etc to the setting. French and Spanish words have been used by various authors. Similarly, would Hindi (key Indian language) words be acceptable in a work of fiction? If yes, how would a reader who doesn’t know Hindi understand? Would a glossary be the solution?
    Thanks.
    Sudeep

  34. Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks) on Oct 22, 2009 at 11:11am

    35. Yes, don’t forget to look at our Writers’ Zone and the Know How in particular.

  35. Shankut Somaiya on Oct 23, 2009 at 05:23am

    36. Hi everybody,
    Long time since I visited the site, been working hard to trim the book from 140,000 words to 90,000 words. It has been heart aching experience though. Many scenes and characters been eliminated and dumped where I can lay my hands on ‘em if needed. Phew!

    Now, the next burning question is streamlining the chapters. How long each chapter should be? Should I subtitle each chapter? What is the present trend on this? Decisions men heavy decisions!

    Any thoughts?

    In anticipation

  36. Abraham.R on Oct 27, 2009 at 16:51pm

    37. Hi everyone!
    I am desperate for some professional advice,so please answer my question………
    Is fiction the best path to go nowadays?

  37. MarkfromHove on Oct 28, 2009 at 17:23pm

    38. Hi there,

    Four years ago I submitted my novel to a well-known literary agency. The agent quite liked it and her assistant loved it. I got four pages of notes on what would make the novel better – and then spent the next four years getting married, having fun and not writing at all.

    Fast-forward to today. I have finished my second draft and the assistant who loved it is now an agent in her own right – and the original agent is still going (both at the same agency).

    Which one should I approach? And should I follow the usual route (letter with first three chapters), or try and get in touch by email to see what they would like me to do?

    Any help appreciated.

    Best,

    Mark.

  38. Laura K on Oct 28, 2009 at 17:43pm

    39. Oh my God, I’m so jealous I could cry! But that’s such a brilliant situation, my gut feeling would be to write to both of them and make them aware that you are writing to both of them, inviting their advice – I may be wrong though and one of the professional bods on this forum may be better equipped to advise. But good luck though, hope it goes well for you!

  39. MarkfromHove on Oct 28, 2009 at 17:49pm

    40. Thanks Laura.

    I’m slightly embarrassed that it has taken me so long, but I do feel as though the second draft is better!

    I wasn’t sure if the assistant-cum-agent might be a better bet as she really did seem to enjoy the original draft…..

    Hmm….

  40. Claire Fogg (Publisher, Yearbooks) on Oct 28, 2009 at 18:23pm

    41. MarkfromHove, There’s no single answer to this but it sounds like a lovely situation to be in. I would follow what you think feels right, bearing in mind it might be professional courtesy to contact both the people you mention.

    On the other subject of trends, many of our experts say write from the heart and don’t try to write to fit into a trend. Take a look at what Giles Andreae (a poet and children’s writer as well as an illustrator) has to say on the matter in his answer to the question ‘What advice would you give to someone starting out?’.

    And there’s lots of good advice on how to present your submissions in Approaching a Publisher.

  41. MarkfromHove on Oct 29, 2009 at 10:43am

    42. News: the agent has asked for the first 50 pages by email. Does this mean first 50 pages double-spaced…? That’s not going to be much!

  42. Abraham.R on Oct 29, 2009 at 11:34am

    43. Hi ,

    Cressida Downing’s article is great! (Top five tips for submitting your manuscript)

    Regards.

  43. Hilbo on Oct 29, 2009 at 22:14pm

    44. Hello everyone

    The story I am writing is aimed at a reading audience from 12 year olds upward (cross over to adult).

    However the article regarding childrens fiction advises to aim for approximately 40,000 words and the above article states 70-80,000 words for the manuscript.

    I don’t want to write excessively if the story itself doesn’t warrant it, but I am now unsure where I should be aiming. At present I have written over 30,000 words and am about two thirds of the way through. It’s only my first draft so I know I will be adding to this on my second draft as I develop the characters etc but I really don’t think my story will be able to stretch past 60,000.

    Will this pose a problem when I’m trying to get my book published?

    Kindest regards

    Hilbo

  44. Betty on Nov 1, 2009 at 11:02am

    45. Hi , Hilbo;

    We cross over to an adult at twelve?

    Regards

  45. Betty on Nov 1, 2009 at 11:04am

    46. Hilbo,

    Jo herbert’s mail might help

    Bye…..

  46. Hilbo on Nov 1, 2009 at 22:09pm

    47. Hi Betty

    Thanks for responding.

    I didn’t realise adult books were classed from 12 years upwards – gracious! That certainly saved me some embarrassment before submitting my synopsis.

    Kind regards

    Hilbo

  47. jumpinjack on Nov 3, 2009 at 11:17am

    48. Greetings everyone, whilst I appreciate that commercial interests drive business. I was most alarmed to read that any manuscript over 130,000 words is unlikely to be considered by an agent. Recently I got my hot little paws on the latest novel by one of my favorite page turning authors, and settled down for an enjoyable escapist read.

    The plot was super, the buildup delicious, and the interplay between the characters believable and informative. I tried not to read the whole book in one go, savoring it with delight. Three quarters of the way through the pace suddenly picked up, characters that had hitherto been falling in love, were now an item, not that this was a love story, but really, hang on a second!

    The last quarter of the book could be likened to listening to a scratched music cd, harmony, then gaps and leaps. I gainfully kept reading, but the all import atmosphere was lost and the novel rather than ending in a firework display, fizzed to a rapid and abrupt ending. As a reader I was disappointed. I had paid good money only to now feel short changed, not by the author but by the commercially driven middle men.