Before sending your manuscript off to your chosen publisher, it is good to send an email or letter with a query. Ask if they will read your manuscript. If the answer is “yes,” then mark the envelope with the manuscript with “Requested Material.” This marking on the outside of the envelope separates you from the rest of the unsolicited manuscripts sitting on their desk. In any circumstance, always give the editor the name of the person who referred you. That is one way to work the conversation from a warm lead.
Manuscript Formatting
In the upper right corner, place the copyright notice and year the manuscript was written, genre, and approximate word count all single spaced.
(then 3 lines)
First American Serial Rights, or Print Rights, Electronic Rights
(then 2 lines)
By (your name)
(2 lines)
Chapter 1
(2 lines)
Start your story double spaced
Note: If you have written a picture book, start your manuscript on the “Chapter 1” line.
Showing posts with label manuscript. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manuscript. Show all posts
Monday, May 25, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cover Letter Elements
When writing your cover letter, be sure to list the word count for your manuscript. This is something that is important to editors as certain types of books and stories require different word counts.
List the ages that the manuscript was written for.
Talk briefly about why you wrote it. Did you have a similar experience? Do you really know the material you are writing about?
Be sure to include a short biography about yourself. If you get published, they could potentially use this to promote you.
Be polite -- this is important! You are sending them your manuscript to potentially publish.
AND – if you ever want to re-submit something in the future, that editor might remember if they did not have a favorable experience with you previously.
Remember to enclose a SASE and your manuscript.
List the ages that the manuscript was written for.
Talk briefly about why you wrote it. Did you have a similar experience? Do you really know the material you are writing about?
Be sure to include a short biography about yourself. If you get published, they could potentially use this to promote you.
Be polite -- this is important! You are sending them your manuscript to potentially publish.
AND – if you ever want to re-submit something in the future, that editor might remember if they did not have a favorable experience with you previously.
Remember to enclose a SASE and your manuscript.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Finding a Publisher
On the search for a publisher...
There are hundreds of publishers that produce children’s picture books. I recommend doing some research before sending your manuscript out. It will save you a lot of money and time in the long run. Plan a “field trip” to the closest book store and look at books in the same genre/style that you have written. Copy down the publisher and mailing information. Then go to the library and look through the current Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market (CWIM) for the addresses and names of the contact editors and art directors you would submit to. It would not be a bad idea to call the publisher to make sure that staffing has not changed since CWIM has came out. CWIM also lists the type of book that each publisher is looking for, so you can verify if your manuscript will fit in with the publisher’s needs.
Attach a brief cover letter to the manuscript and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for the manuscripts return.
Once you have mailed your manuscript, start writing another. Please realize that getting a book accepted can take many years and many rejections. Do Not Quit, Do Not Lose Hope! I heard the Harry Potter series was declined by between six and eight publishers and got rejection after rejection. Well, you know the end of that story – the rest is history!
There are hundreds of publishers that produce children’s picture books. I recommend doing some research before sending your manuscript out. It will save you a lot of money and time in the long run. Plan a “field trip” to the closest book store and look at books in the same genre/style that you have written. Copy down the publisher and mailing information. Then go to the library and look through the current Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market (CWIM) for the addresses and names of the contact editors and art directors you would submit to. It would not be a bad idea to call the publisher to make sure that staffing has not changed since CWIM has came out. CWIM also lists the type of book that each publisher is looking for, so you can verify if your manuscript will fit in with the publisher’s needs.
Attach a brief cover letter to the manuscript and include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for the manuscripts return.
Once you have mailed your manuscript, start writing another. Please realize that getting a book accepted can take many years and many rejections. Do Not Quit, Do Not Lose Hope! I heard the Harry Potter series was declined by between six and eight publishers and got rejection after rejection. Well, you know the end of that story – the rest is history!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Step 3: Edit, Edit, Edit!
After you have a first draft of your manuscript, the first thing you need to do is cut part of what you have written. Most editors prefer that the word count does not go over 1000. You could plan to cut out about 10% of your writing right off the top. Any word that is not 100% necessary should go. Don’t waste your word count describing an object or a character, instead, leave a note to the illustrator if this is important. The illustrator will be able to convey the idea graphically if it is something like physical attributes. This falls under the “show, not tell” rule of storytelling, films, and book writing and illustrating.
A characters’ action should always advance the plot. Don’t waste your word count explaining that Bobby got up in the morning, brushed his teeth, and ate breakfast if he missed the school bus. Your readers will figure out that he got up and got ready if you start your story with him leaving the house on the way to school.
After you have trimmed the unnecessary material from your story. Take a look at your character. Is he or she developed? Will children care about him? A child should be able to describe several aspects about a characters personality. Take a look at the secondary characters. They should contribute to the story in some, less defined way.
Take a look at the dialogue. Each character should have their own unique voice; children should talk like children. Make sure that the dialogue is advancing the plot forward or give insight into someone’s personality. “Give me back my hat!” Jill stamped her foot and glared at Bobby.
It may take a few re-writes before the story is as tight as it can be. Authors find it helpful to put it away for several days between re-writes. This helps to give some fresh perspective on the piece and allows you to see the rough spots easier.
After you have a first draft of your manuscript, the first thing you need to do is cut part of what you have written. Most editors prefer that the word count does not go over 1000. You could plan to cut out about 10% of your writing right off the top. Any word that is not 100% necessary should go. Don’t waste your word count describing an object or a character, instead, leave a note to the illustrator if this is important. The illustrator will be able to convey the idea graphically if it is something like physical attributes. This falls under the “show, not tell” rule of storytelling, films, and book writing and illustrating.
A characters’ action should always advance the plot. Don’t waste your word count explaining that Bobby got up in the morning, brushed his teeth, and ate breakfast if he missed the school bus. Your readers will figure out that he got up and got ready if you start your story with him leaving the house on the way to school.
After you have trimmed the unnecessary material from your story. Take a look at your character. Is he or she developed? Will children care about him? A child should be able to describe several aspects about a characters personality. Take a look at the secondary characters. They should contribute to the story in some, less defined way.
Take a look at the dialogue. Each character should have their own unique voice; children should talk like children. Make sure that the dialogue is advancing the plot forward or give insight into someone’s personality. “Give me back my hat!” Jill stamped her foot and glared at Bobby.
It may take a few re-writes before the story is as tight as it can be. Authors find it helpful to put it away for several days between re-writes. This helps to give some fresh perspective on the piece and allows you to see the rough spots easier.
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