how do you submit a novel to a publishing company?

Question

how do you get them to read your work

Answer 1

More often than not these days, large publishing companies don't accept what they call "unsolicited manuscripts." These are manuscripts that have been sent in by someone who is not represented by a literary agent. I have two suggestions for you if you're looking to get published - 1) Try your hand at submitting a short story, or a chapter of your book to a literary magazine and 2) find a smaller publisher that will accept manuscripts not sent from a literary agent's office. These are both lucrative ways to "break into the business" so-to-speak. The Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents is a good resource to have http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Editors-Publishers-Literary-Agents/dp/0761537457/ref=sr_1_1/102-9084988-0868915?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176594982&sr=8-1
or the Writer's Market. I like Writer's Market for the Magazine listings that they include. Both of these books, or a slightly earlier edition of them, should be at your public library if you don't want to spend the money to buy them.

A word of warning, don't be discouraged by reject letters. Some of the best authors of our time recieved a multitude of them before someone saw the light and published their book. Good luck with your writing!

Answer 2

Bearing in mind the preceding good answers I would recommend that once you locate the literary agencies that are right for your genre make sure you follow the submission rules in their websites.

Learn how to craft a powerful query letter because that is the first item an agent may read. Find the booklet, "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript" by Cynthia Laufenberg. The book shows how the title page and each succeeding page should appear in spacing, identification, and balance.

Concentrate on a perfect three-chapter sample that you will submit under your query letter. Usually the agents want the first three chapters of your novel.

If you can submit your manuscript by e-mail so much the better, but many literary agencies want them mailed to them. Use a quality printer with no fancy letterheads and adornements. Always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) in every submission.

Be prepared for your first rejection of many. My rejection file is as thick as a Detroit phone book and still growing.

I wish you much success.

Answer 3

They have certain "submission requirements" There's this book that I have that tells you everything that you need to know it's called "Children's Writer's and illustrators market 2006" It gives all of the publishing company's and their requirements, Here's an example straight from the book

ABSEY & CO.
23011 Northcrest Dr., Spring TX 77389. FAX: [phone]. E-Mail [e-mail] Website; www.absey.com PUBLISHER Edward Wilson. 'We are looking primarily for edu. books, especially those hwith teaching strategies based upon research." Publishes hardcover, trade paperback and mass market paperback originals. Publishes 5-10 titles a year. 50% of books from first-time authors 50% from un-agented writers
FICTION
"Since we are a small, new press, we are looking for good manuscripts with a firm intended audience.'
Recently published SAVING THE SCOLLS, by Mary Kerry.
How to Contact/writers Fiction: Query with SASE. Nonficfiction: Query with outline and 1-2 sample chapters. does not consider simultaneous submissions. Responds to queries in 3 months.
Illustration Reviews ms/illustration packages. Send photocopies, transperincies, ETC.
Terms Pays 8-15% royalty on wholesale price. Publishes book 1 year after acceptance of ms. manuscript guidelines for #10 SASE.
Tips 'Absey publishes a few titles every year. We like the author and the illustrator working together to create something magical. Authors illustrators have input into every phrase of production.

Answer 4

Do not get a literary agent.

You do not want to get in with a huge publisher right away, go for small to mid sized publisher, one that does not require agents, some even suggest to go without them.

Every publisher will have a website and they will have a guide to submissions on it, you just follow what they say and hope for the best.

Answer 5

Query letter always works for me.