Does anyone know what all you need to send to a Publishing company besides a manuscript?

Question

I have a completed manuscript of a novel I wrote that is ready to send off to a Publishing company. But, I don't know if anything else is required to send with the manuscript. Does anyone know? and does anyone know of any famous or really good Publishing companies that I can send my manuscript off to?

Answer 1

As an experienced writer and published fantasy author, I suggest you find a good editor to clean up your manuscript and get it ready for submission to various agents. You'll have to research those, as there are no right answers when it comes to agents EXCEPT that you need one if you're a new author.

Most major publishers these days won't even open unsolicited manuscripts unless you have previously published something OR you have a super strong query letter or an agent submitting for you. Publisher slush piles are in the thousands, so don't waste your time, postage or printing costs submitting direct.

Once you have a finished, polished manuscript and an agent to handle it, you should be able to find a publisher sooner or later. Agents know the game and they know what the publishing houses are looking for. Trying it on your own is a long, tedious and often disappointing road to oblivion.

That's my advice. Good luck with your book.

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

(For a FREE copy of The Scythian Stone or a full color, four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at [e-mail]).

My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

Answer 2

Many publishing companies do no want unsolicited manuscripts sent to them. You should definitely do your research in finding about these companies beforehand. Writer's Market (and there are probably similar books) publishes a book each year that lists publishing companies, etc. And tells you the guidelines and procedures for each company. They'll help you find which company most often publishes your genre...which ones are most welcome to new authors...etc. I would imagine the library would be the best place to find this reference book unless you want to buy your own copy. Look at the most recent year you can find so you have up to date information.

You will need to send a query letter first, but the book should explain all that, and you might be asked to send one chapter of your manuscript...but not the whole manuscript...to see if they're interested. But definitely follow their guidelines and procedures if you want to have a chance of getting published.

Answer 3

First do your reasearch. Find a company that publishes your genre. Then send a query (a summary of your manuscript) and ask if they'd be interested in receiving the whole thing. (Remember the SASE). And after receiving a response do accordingly. I.e. If you're rejected try another company, if you are accepted send the manuscript. You should call and ask first the requirements to sending a manuscript.

Answer 4

Different companies have different guidelines. Some request information only prior to having the manuscript sent to them. The publisher that you had submitted should have their guidelines posted on their website.To compare check out the links below:

http://www.gurze.com/client/client_pages/subpolicy.cfm

http://www.quirkbooks.com/submissions.aspx

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/site/catalog/index.php?main_page=pubs_info&info_uid=submissions&zenid=64ad42b99078133647c70312727fce27

http://www.llewellyn.com/history/submit.php

http://www.galdepress.com/submissionguide02.html#three

http://www.hayhouse.com/guides.php

http://www.eharlequin.com/cms/learntowrite/ltwSection.jhtml?itcType=critiqued

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/contactus.html#MANUSCRIPT

http://www.sourcebooks.com/content/authors_submission_guidelines.asp

Just starting out the most important advise you can get is BE PERSISTANT. Be prepared for rejection but do not take it personally. Award-winning author Christopher Paul Curtis stated at one of his author signings that he was turned down at least a dozen times before his first manuscript was picked up by a publisher. Another thing that you may want to do is to start with the small publishers, or publishers that specialize in whatever type book it is you have written.
You may also choose to have the book available through a print-on-demand service (For more details on that refer to the link below.). If you are lucky, a major publisher may pick it up from there. Such was the case with Christopher Paolini author of the best-selling Inheritance Trilogy series.

Answer 5

the first step to reaching this purpose if yours is to jot down the e book. you won't be able to post what you have not written. Edit the e book till the writing won't be able to be any extra polished. commence getting to understand brokers who deal with youngster's books, or look up presses that settle for unsolicited manuscripts. the thanks to jot down a question letter. placed as a lot as one agent or writer at a time. stick with the agent or writer's submission guidelines precisely. once you get a rejection letter, deliver your letter off to the subsequent man or woman/writer on your record. The publishing marketplace is hard, yet new human beings get printed generic. solid success!

Answer 6

You should send a cover letter with the manuscript, but before you do anything you should copyright your work. Check www.copyright.gov for directions.

Answer 7

Send a cover letter and resume maybe?

Also you should mail a copy to yourself first so that there is federal stamps on it to prove it's yours and no one can copy it. That's what Stephen King does, anyway.