Tag: Submissions

How do I format the chapter by chapter synopsis? Is it single or double spaced? Is the chapter title centered or aligned left? If I have a chapter number and title are the number and title separated by a comma? Are the two or three descriptive sentences on the next line? Do I put the same header on it as on my manuscript pages. Do I title it with the name of my book and the word synopsis? And finally, how do I make it not sound so boring? It sounds so contrived to list off the plot developments. I’ve tried to include the MC arc, but the emotion can’t come through in a couple of lines. What is the most important part to convey in the chapter synopsis? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The reason for a chapter synopsis (or outline, they’re similar) is to let the publisher know what happens in the book so that they don’t have to read the whole thing to determine if it fits their criteria.

As an LDS publisher, I asked for a synopsis to be included with fiction submissions. It saved me a lot of time in cases when the writing was good but the message didn’t fit my target readership.

For example, a YA coming of age novel. I need to know that it ends in a way that supports LDS doctrine and principles. I don’t want to read 350 pages of a good book only to find that the heroine decides to shack up with her boyfriend in the last chapter. No matter how good the writing is, that wouldn’t be a book that I’d accept for publication. It doesn’t match my criteria.

Your synopsis doesn’t have to be hugely entertaining and filled with emotion. Yes, you want it to be interesting. You don’t want to put the publisher to sleep. But it won’t have the same intensity of description and place and characterization as your query or manuscript. A good synopsis is short and concise, but contains the nuts and bolts of your story. I want to know the major plot points, the twists and turns, who does what, and how the story ends.

Write your synopsis in third person and present tense. You don’t need a final summary or to explain what I’m supposed to “learn” from the chapter. Don’t insert dialog.

If the publisher hasn’t posted guidelines on how to format the synopsis, go for readability. Make it as easy to read as possible. Use the same fonts and margins as with the manuscript. Single-spaced is fine, since it’s concise (1 to 3 pages).

Yes, put your info header on it like you do with the manuscript—your full name and contact info on the top left of the first page; then your last name, and title on the other pages.

You can either break it up by identifying the chapters (see below) or you can write it in simple narrative style. As long as it’s written well, polished, and succinct, it will be fine.

You can read a very good article about creating your synopsis HERE.

You can read some sample narrative style synopses HERE.

I couldn’t find a sample of the chapter by chapter style synopsis, so here’s one I just made up. Your’s will be a little more clever and catchy, but you get the idea.

Pawns Synopsis by LDS Publisher

1. The Crash
It’s Halloween night and Nancy, Tami, and Karen (college roommates) are planning to attend a party with their boyfriends, Marc, David and Jonathan—all dressed as pieces on a chess board. David is late. They receive the shocking news that David has been killed in a car accident.

2. Reunion
Ten years later, Karen is working as a research assistant for O.A. Williams, famed philanthropist. Olaf is setting up a new business for his wife, who designs specialty candies. In researching trade shows, Karen discovers that Jonathan, whom she hasn’t seen in ten years because they broke up the day after David’s car accident, will be introducing his “chocolate books” at the Denver trade show. Curious about Jonathan, Karen rents a booth for Olaf’s wife, Anna, at the show.

3. Whatever
Yada, yada, yada.

[Nobody steal this idea. I’ve actually got this book partially written. When it’s published, you’ll all know my true identity. Hah!]

Covenant likes my novel and asked for specific revisions. I worked out the revisions and was very pleased with the result, then sent the mss back to them. They were excited to receive it, especially when I let them know it was part of a trilogy.

Then, two days later, I went back and re-read, finding errors, words left out (from the cutting and editing), I was horrified. I kept reading, and it cleaned up after the first few chapters. I think in my excitement I was more careful with the main body and end of the work, where most of the major cuts had been made, and hastily scanned over the beginning, which didn’t need so much revision.

Here is my concern: It has been six weeks and I haven’t heard from them. Since the first time around took nine months, I really don’t have a time-table of expectation, but with the errors, I am anxious. I have already gone through and edited again, double checking, and have a much cleaner mss now, but do I tell them that? Do I just wait it out? Is it professional to contact them?

I have learned a valuable lesson. But I am still learning. And I can’t seem to focus on anything, worrying about this… and I am usually pretty level-headed and patient. I would appreciate any advice.

While it is very important to make sure you send a clean, typo-proofed manuscript, it’s not the end of the world if a few mistakes slip through.

First, take a deep breath. They know this is your first novel. They know you’re going to make mistakes.

Second, e-mail your contact and request a status report. You could mention that after you sent the revisions, you found some cut and paste errors, and would they like you to send them a cleaner copy.

Last, relax already. If they like the story, they’ll say, “We like the story. Fix all those typos.”

I’m curious… Do you think LDS publishers will eventually convert to electronic submissions / equeries? In order to save trees and all of that jazz? It’s becoming increasingly common in the non-LDS publishing world, but it sounds like LDS publishers are resisting.

Here’s the thing with electronic submissions:

1. Viruses. I’ve had my computer go totally brain dead because someone sent a submission via email and it had a virus in it. It costs me time and money to fix that. Yes, I have virus detectors, multiple ones, in fact. But there’s always the chance that something will get through.

2. Eye strain. It is harder to read on computer. I can’t tell you how often I end my day with a killer headache caused by reading on the computer. This is less of an issue if you have a Kindle (and I do; and all editors and publishers should get one). I can convert Word files to Kindle files, which are much, much easier on the eyes. But it is still easiest of all to read black type on white paper.

That said, e-files are more portable, won’t break your desk no matter how many you stack on there, and if you happen to be reading outside, the wind can’t blow them away.

Personally, I think electronic queries and submissions are the way to go. As older editors retire and are replaced by younger, computer savvy editors, you’ll see more and more houses accepting e-files.

I wrote this post late last night. When I checked it this morning, I found a few things I’d left out. They are in red.

Hi LDSP. I’m new to all of this. I was looking at some publishers’ websites to find their submission guidelines because you always say how important it is to follow them. It seems that all of them are just a teeny bit different in what they ask for in formatting a manuscript. Do I need to reformat for every publisher? Also, one publisher said to submit my novel using “standard formatting.” What does that mean?

Most publishers put formatting guidelines on their websites to prevent someone from sending in a 500 page manuscript, 9 pt type, single spaced, with 1/4″ margins all around. Ugh! (Yes, I’ve gotten more than one like that.)

No, you don’t have to reformat for each publisher, if you use standard formatting (unless they’re just obnoxiously picky). If you use the following formatting, you should be safe with 99.9% of agents, editors and publishers.

Basic Page

• Margin—1 to 1.5″ all the way around. (I prefer 1.5″—more space if I need to write notes.)

• Font—Courier or Times; 10 or 12 pt type. I prefer Courier, or another serifed, monospace, easy to read type because it’s easier for me to read (although I have peers who prefer Times). I also prefer a 12 pt type for the same reason.

• Line Spacing—Double-space. Absolutely necessary so the reader doesn’t go blind.

• Left justify the text.

• Paragraph Indent—First line, 5 pt or 1/4″. I prefer set tabs, not auto-indent. My typesetters always cuss me when I send them an auto-indent mss because when they convert it to their typesetting software, it deletes the indents and sometimes it’s hard to tell where new paragraphs begin.

• Header—In the top right hand corner, on one line of text, put your last name followed by first initial/TITLE (all caps)/Page #; right justified. For example:
  Publisher, L./MY BEST SELLER/1

  This information on every mss page is very important because we often get pages out of order, and sometimes mixed with other mss.

• Do not print on the backs of the pages, one-sided only.

Cover Page

• Use same margins and font as other pages. No header on cover page.
• Contact Information—Your name (your real legal name, not a pen name), full mailing address, phone number (with area code) and e-mail address in the top left corner. Single-spaced; left-justified. For example:

  LDS Publisher
  123 My Street
  My Town, ST 00000
  (123)456-7890
  ldspublisher@hotmail.com

• Title—Centered, about the middle of the page, or just above. One double-spaced line beneath.

• by—Centered below title; one double-spaced line beneath.

• Name—(or pen name) centered below “by”; one double-spaced line beneath.

• Word Count—centered below your name; one double-spaced line beneath.

First Page

• Header—in top right hand corner. Start on page 1. (Do not count the cover page.)

• Chapter Title—Hit return/enter two times (no more than six times), using double-spaced lines. Center title on page. Do not use all caps, or bold, or bigger font sizes. If your chapters don’t have titles, type: Chapter 1 or Chapter One.

• Mss Text—hit return/enter two times using double-spaced lines. Start your story.

• Scene Breaks—If you feel you need to insert an indication of a scene break, hit return/enter two times, type ###, center it, hit return/enter two more times, go on with your story.

• New Chapters—Start each new chapter on a fresh page, using the same Chapter Title formatting as above.

Picture books and screenplays have their own special formatting.

I’ve finished my first novel, run it through a critique group, polished it up—done all the things you suggest we do before we submit. I think it’s ready to go.

I want to try the national market. Where do I start submitting? Do I submit to publishers or to agents? If I go through an agent, what is the standard cut I should expect to pay them and will I have to cough up any money before the book sells?

Whether to submit to an agent or to a publisher depends upon your book (ie: which publishing companies are a good fit for you) and the publisher. Some publishers take unagented submissions. Others do not.

Lots of writers successfully sell their first book without an agent to represent them. They research publishers, find those that take unagented submissions, and go for it. Some of them get great contracts and healthy advances. Once they’ve sold that first book, it’s a lot easier to get an agent to represent future books.

If you start with an agent, rather than a publisher, the process is basically the same. Research agents, find those that are accepting new clients, and go for it. The advantages of having an agent is that a good one will help you polish up your story to make it more sellable. They also have connections to publishers—they know who is looking for what type of book, who is good to work with, and agents can usually get better contracts and healthier advances because they (hopefully) know a few more things about the business end of selling books that newbie authors don’t.

Most agents charge 15% commission on U.S. sales. Some of them require you to pay office expenses (copying, postage, etc.) before the sale, others deduct them from royalties (on top of the 15%). If they charge reading fees or an hourly rate, look somewhere else.

Are there any simple tricks that I can do with my finished manuscript that will help a publisher be a little more impressed with my work?

Yes, there is are two very easy tricks that you can do that will impress the heck out of a publisher:

• Follow their submission guidelines.

• Run your spell check and grammar check and correct everything.

Those two tricks alone will get you far. You have no idea how many of the manuscripts I received didn’t do these two very simple and very easy things.

I was reading your blog regarding publishing, very insightful. [I love it when people think I’m insightful.]

I have a short children’s story that I would like to send in for consideration.

My question is to whom do I address my query? I found the address for Deseret Book, as well as the author guidelines. I am just unclear who to address in my query.

To Whom It May Concern? Ms. Sheri Dew? Or is there another name that I should know?

Please forgive my ignorance, but I have Googled several times and have not been able to find the answer, so I turn to you with the hopes that you do know!

I would appreciate any information you could pass along to me.

When you go to their Guidelines for Authors webpage, it says:

“Submit your manuscript or query to Publishing Department, Deseret Book Company, P. O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130.”

So that is exactly what I would do. They have a very detailed description of how to submit, including how to submit a children’s story.

Then, if you click on the Contact Us link, you will find Lisa Mangum listed as the contact person for Publishing, so address your query to her. (Sheri Dew runs the company but she is not the Submissions Editor.)

I have several books sketched out in my little thought notebook, but I also have one that is 90% completed. This book is written with the chapters based around a gospel topic. I use my life’s experiences in [a specific activity] with doctrine to help teach about the principle. I have had a few friends who are editors look through it, but would love to have some other people read it who are not friends or family. Do you have any suggestions? Everyone who has read through it has loved it and been touched by it, but I’d like to look at the practical side of things before submitting it for publication.

Again, writers groups are a place to start with readers.

As for the practical side of submitting and publishing, go to your library. You’ll find a whole shelf of books that talk about the ins and outs of submission. I recommend starting with the current Writers Market. It will give you some basic how-tos.

After that, there are 3,452 books and counting on the practical side of getting published.

And also these posts.

How many fiction submissions do you receive each month/year at your company?

How many non-fiction submissions do you receive each month/year at your company?

I don’t really want to say how many my company gets because that could out my secret identity. But I can give you a range—a very small LDS Publisher might get anywhere from 10 to 100 queries/submissions a year. A medium-sized LDS Publisher gets 200 to 500 a year. In our company we get slightly more non-fiction submissions than fiction, probably 60/40—but the fiction submissions are increasing every year.

Lisa Mangum said DB receives 1500 manuscripts in a year, but I don’t know the breakdown for fiction/nonfiction.

If any other publishers would like to chime in with their specifics, go ahead. You can do so anonymously if you like.

I’ve been looking at publishers’ websites and noticed that some publishers like their submissions in Times New Roman and some of them like Courier. Is there a reason why they prefer these different fonts, or is it just a personal thing from publisher to publisher?

One reason is that all computers (PC and Mac) have these two fonts, making it easy to convert files. Sometimes when a document is opened on a computer that doesn’t have the font it was written in, it can go all skeewampus.

The other reason has to do with estimating final page count.

Courier is a fixed-width font, meaning all letters take the same amount of space. It gives you a uniform number of spaces per page making it easier (according to some) to estimate a final page count.

I prefer Times, however, because it is easier to read. I haven’t found that it’s any more difficult to estimate page count from Times.

If the guidelines don’t specify what’s expected in a submission package, what is the norm?

This is what I like to see and it would probably satisfy most publishers who don’t specify what they want.

• Query letter—1 page
• Outline/synopsis—a chapter by chapter breakdown of the basic plot line; 2 to 3 sentences per chapter. And yes, I want the ending.
• First three chapters
• SASE (I actually prefer to reply by e-mail but some publishers prefer the letter)

You can read more details here.

I keep hearing about checking the publishers’ websites for submission guidelines. I’m not that computer savvy. I went to a couple of sites and I can’t find it. Help!

I’m in a good mood, so here you go. If your publishing company is not on this list and you want it added, put your info in the comments section.
Cedar Fort
Covenant
Deseret Book
Mapletree
Millenial Press
Spring Creek
Wind River
Zarahemla Books

Here’s another list of things not to do when you send your manuscript (based on true-life examples from manuscripts that I have received in the past 30 days):

1. Do not single space. I know I’ve said this before, but apparently I have not stressed it enough. I CANNOT read, let alone edit, a manuscript that is single spaced.

2. Do not leave large spaces between paragraphs and type [Insert illustration here]. Especially for a book intended for adults.

3. Do not send illustrations with your adult-audience book.

4. Do not tell me in those big gaps [See illustration # whatever] and expect me to go looking to the back of the book and hand count the illustrations to get to the page number you want me to look at.

5. Do not 3-hole punch the manuscript and send it in a 3-ring binder.

6. Do not put your manuscript pages in sheet protectors and send them in a binder.

7. Do not design a cover and send me a color print out of it. We won’t be using it and I don’t need your sample to visualize what the front of your book could look like. I’m a professional. Visualizing covers is what they pay me to do!

8. Do not print your manuscript double-sided on the paper.

9. Do not send your manuscript, then call me two weeks later and ask if you can bring me a new copy because you’ve re-written a significant number of scenes. If I’ve already started reading, you’ve wasted my time. If I haven’t already started reading, I’ll think you’re a nut case.

10. Do not drop by my office (without an appointment) and ask if I’ve finished reading your manuscript yet, and when I say no, ask if you can “borrow” it back for a few weeks because your daughter-in-law wants to read it and you don’t want to spend all that money on paper and ink to print out another copy and you don’t mind at all looking through my huge stack of manuscripts to find yours.

Sometimes I think I’m a wonderful person simply because I never resort to physical violence.

If an author has several manuscripts ready for submission, how should they handle that? Should they send in the first one, wait until the contract has been signed, and then submit the second? Should they wait until the first book has come out? Or can they submit the second one sooner than that? Is it all right to submit #2 immediately after getting a rejection for #1?

If the books are part of a series, submit the first one and in your query, briefly mention that this is intended to be a series and book #2 is almost complete.

If the books are unrelated, wait until the contract is signed. Then tell your editor/publisher that you have a second book ready and ask when they would like you to submit it. If you’re a first time author, they’re going to want to see how the first book sells. If you’re an established author, they’re going to want you to churn them out quickly–1 to 2 per year, if possible.

Some authors are too prolific for the size of their publisher. When this is the case, you’ll want to make sure there is a clause in the contract that if they reject a title, you’re free to submit to other publishers at any time.

If book #1 is rejected, no, don’t immediately (as in the next day) send #2. If the publisher has given an indication of the reasons for rejection, evaluate book #2 within those guidelines. If their reasons have to do with genre, market, or other things specific to the publisher, you’ll need to determine if #2 is a better fit for them. If not, submit elsewhere.

If they’ve talked about structure, technique, plot, characterization, etc., you’ll want to rewrite book #2 to clean it up based upon their suggestions before submitting it.

If they’ve said, “We love this, but it’s not right for us. Send us something else ASAP!” then you can send #2 right away.