TEN BEST SUBMISSION PRACTICES

By Kate Carroll

 

In today’s tight publishing market, submissions are serious business. It's vital to tailor your work for an exact fit. Kid lit professionals would love to uncover the next big hit, and with a little work, yours may be the story that gets their attention. Look at this list to give your manuscript the best chance at being seen. 

1. Know your audience. Be sure you study what the agent or publisher is looking for, and submit only if your manuscript is a match.  

2. Follow the submission instructions provided by the agent/publisher exactly. They streamline their requirements so that they can assess as many manuscripts as possible - which is to your benefit. If they are bogged down with material that isn’t formatted to their liking, it takes away precious time. Bottom line: If you don’t follow the rules, don’t expect to play.                                                                                                                                                                             

3. Never use a question to begin your pitch. It is overdone and a guaranteed pass.  

4. Manners always matter. Submitting is like interviewing for a job. Bring your very best attitude and demeanor to your cover letter.  

5. If your manuscript is over the word count for your genre, think twice, no, three times about sending it out. The economy of words matters. Make each word work in your story or toss it! 

6. Use a formal salutation in your letter to an agent/editor. Include his/her correct name! Research the right person for your book genre and interest. Sending a PB to a YA agent/editor only takes time away from the readers and doesn’t help you at all. In fact, it could have a negative impact for future submissions. 

7. Do not query too soon after submitting a project. Give an agent/editor time to evaluate your work in and among the many tasks they do each day.  Websites usually indicate how long it takes for an agent/editor to respond to a submission. After that time, and only after that time should you reach out again. 

8. Never sit back after making a submission. Move on to your next project.  

9. Be humble. Your best friend or your mom may have told you how wonderful your work is, but the industry professionals prefer to make their own decision!  

10. Be open to rejection. It is a huge part of acceptance in the world of publishing. 

Manuscript Fixer-Upper

 by Kate Carroll

As a children’s writer, I have files of flawed manuscripts. When I wrote them, I didn’t know they had structural damage, but over time, as they sat in a drawer, and I challenged myself to learn more about craft, I realized these gems could not survive in their current condition.  Now, when I need a change of pace, or new ideas aren’t surfacing, I turn to these old friends and challenge one to a renovation.   

 

Whether you’re a brand-new writer or a seasoned author, you probably have a manuscript that never made it into the world. Dig into your drawer, your files, maybe your own slush pile and pull out something that hasn’t seen the light of day in a while - a real fixer-upper. Grab your tools and try a makeover. I’ve watched builders whip old things into shape on HGTV shows and Food Channel chefs work wonders with leftovers, so why not renew an old story?

 

Here is a checklist that might make your something old, new again.

1.      Get ready to demo!

Read your story out loud. A noticeable something may glare at you. Or it may be hidden in the foundation somewhere. Stay with it, even if you must pull everything apart.                    

 

2.      Exactly how strong is your plot? Will kids care what your story is about? If not, can you twist and turn it so that they will?

What can you do to make it more appealing to kids? We know that the best loved stories are ones that allow a child to think, dream, laugh and grow through the pages.

 

3.      Does your main character need a tune-up?  Consider these thoughts. What is your main character really like?  Is it a character that a child can see and know? If your character isn’t well fleshed out, there’s a chance that it will remain invisible. Spend some time working on the MC ‘s attributes. Is he silly, magical, naughty, lazy, excited, mean, brave, curious, forgetful? Whoever your main character is, he must be unforgettable to the reader.

 

4.      Make tension intentional. No matter what age you are writing for, tension matters. Raising the roadblocks that a character encounters keeps the reader rooting for him. Imposing scenes that keep the reader turning the pages is a good goal.

 

5.      Is your dialogue dynamic? Does your dialogue give information that helps move the manuscript along? Do you create conversations between characters that cause tension? Sophie’s Squash by Pat Z. Miller is a great example of dialogue that increases the angst for Sophie.

 

6.      Employ the right words. Use writing techniques that help pace your story well. Think of a roller coaster ride. Experience the slow chug of the climb (I’m nervous already), the intensity of the peak, and the thrill of the finish. Using language that mimics this progression is one way that you can help your pacing.  Check out Oh, No! by Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann.

 

7.      Be ready to redo if needed. If you’re lucky enough to uncover problems in your story, be prepared to work and rework until the foundation is solid and the details dovetail into a heartwarming finish.  

8.      Inspectors are necessary. Before your work goes into submission, seek final approval from your critique group or a paid editor. Seek honest feedback about your manuscript and accept all suggestions with gratitude. You are not required to use advice from others, but chances are, someone is going to see that one minor flaw that you missed.

 

I hope all your manuscripts are worthy of publication, but just in case they don’t pass inspection the first time, consider a makeover and see what happens.