Step-by-Step Instructions

STEP-BY-STEP MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

1. Decide what you would like to submit for a manuscript. Do you want to submit an already written piece or do you want to write something new...totally up to you.

2. Manuscript must be in your best writing, error free and edited to completion as best as you can -- if you have doubts, have someone edit it for you, preferably a teacher or professional editor (adv. rate $75 - more for novel).

3. Now you must decide who you are going to send your manuscript to, at least three publishers required for this contest. List the publisher's name and address. The BEST resource to find publishers is "2004 Writer's Market (Writer's Market, 2004)"   (2005 is available). If you cannot afford to buy Writer's Market, than I would suggest the library. You can also research publishers on-line...I personally prefer a manual at my finger tips.

Here is an example of a scanned listing taken from Writer's Market. It is a poor copy, sorry...it's as clear as I could make it. You can still make out some of it. To mention a few; it lists publisher's name, address, website, editor, their specialty, amounts of publications per year, what genre they accept, how to contact, payment terms and tips.

The most important thing to do is to make sure you select the right publisher for your manuscript. The publisher will state what they are looking for and what they require for attachments (cover letter, query, etc.). And, make sure they accept multiple submissions, most do...if they don't, I wouldn't worry about it. It used to be that publishers looked down on writers who submitted to multiple publishers at a time, but times have changed. Many publishers recognize that it is difficult for a writer to mail a manuscript to ONE publisher, wait 2-6 mos. for a reply, which might be a rejection. There is more flexibility in the publishing world today. Just make sure you know the guidelines for each publisher, I can't stress that enough. Also, if you do send out multiple submissions, you should tell the publisher that you are in your cover letter.

4. You have your manuscript ready and you have selected a minimum of three publishers. Now it is time to prepare your attachment(s).

5. I will be posting a cover letter that I will be personally submitting for publication. There is also a link of examples posted in the forum.

Here is my entry, with cover letter:

ID: 958024 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 957989 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

I will add as I go, or if there is something that someone would like to suggest.

Laurencia

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