Dear fellow writer, 

After 18 years of getting manuscripts published, my experience has taught me that this 4-step checklist is essential for publishing success:  

1.            Get a second pair of eyes. Making any impression at all can be difficult. So, when you do break through with publishers you will want to be absolutely positive that your manuscript is letter-perfect, and that your first impression is as professional as it can be.  Unfortunately, this is the only step you cannot take alone—the only way to do this is to hire a professional editor to read your work carefully and shape it into a book that will wow publishers. 

2.            Not all publishers are the same. Therefore, it is essential to research many different presses and find the one that is a perfect fit for your work.  You can save a lot of time and money by hiring someone who does this for a living.  Or, you can do a deep dive into the Internet to learn more about the various presses out there.  When you research, this is what to look for: 

A.  Do you need an agent to submit to the press? (How do you get an agent? With a powerful query—see step 3). 

B.  Make sure the press publishes the genre and type of work you are submitting. For example, if you are shopping a full-length poetry manuscript, make sure the press publishes poetry collections (and not just chapbooks). Do they publish memoirs, fiction collections, essay collections, novels? Don’t waste time pitching to a press that won’t publish your unique work. 

C. Some presses only publish through contests. If you choose to enter a contest, read the submission guidelines carefully for information about manuscript format. Check if manuscripts will be read blind and follow instructions about including or not including biographical information. 

D. Presses often have specific reading periods. Make sure the press is open to submissions at the time you submit. 

E.  Presses often state a preference for certain themes, for example, for feminist or LGBTQ work. Does your manuscript fit? 

F. Take a look at the authors the press has published in the past. Are they early in their publishing careers or established?  You will want to stay away from those that don’t seem to welcome first-time published writers. 

G. Among the books published, check for general types. Are the published books experimental or formal? What is the flavor of the published books? How does your manuscript compare? Take a really deep dive into the character of the press to see if you should submit. 

H. Be comfortable with Submittable, the app that is used by most presses to handle submissions. 

This is the bare minimum of research you must do. Or, you can hire a consultant who is familiar with many presses and save yourself some time and effort. 

3.            Write an effective query letter. This is the leading document for your manuscript submission. As mentioned, first impressions are critical and it’s likely this is your one and only chance to get a press to consider your work. These letters are best written from the perspective of the publisher, so begin by explaining why you believe your work will be an asset to the press. A lot of these selling points will become clear once you have engaged the research in Step 2.  

These points also apply to your biographical statement, something that is usually an integral part of a query.  Make sure your bio stands out. 

It helps if you have read books published by the press; tell them if you have resonance with any of their authors. 

If you are querying an agent, follow the agent’s instructions to the letter. 

It is also cost-effective to hire a professional who has been well published to pen your query. This all-important document will really sing if you collaborate with a writer who has been through this process many times before. 

4.            Negotiate a great contract for yourself!  Have deep confidence in your work. Belief in your ability and the quality of your work will go a long way in conveying to your publisher that you deserve top dollar for what you do.  What percentage of books sold by the publisher will you receive in royalties?  How much will you pay for books you will sell yourself (usually deeply discounted)? A chat with a publishing consultant can clear up any questions or concerns, and give you a strong sense of realistic financial goals for your work—and earn you a paycheck for doing what you love! 

Please reach out any time with questions on how I can help you navigate the exciting world of publishing!  

All the best, 

Larissa 

PS: For more information about publishing and honing your skills as a writer, please schedule a free consultation with me here!

Thank you!