Lesson 8: Marketing and Selling
In this lesson, I'll briefly discuss how to format your manuscript, how to find markets, how to submit your manuscript with or without an agent, and what to do while you wait for a response from the publisher. For additional information, see Writing the Breakout Novel, Chapter 11, Bird by Bird, Pages 208-222, and the many articles in 2004 Witer's Market.
Submitting Your Manuscript
Preparing Your Manuscript. In general, your manuscript should be plain and easy-to-read. It should be printed in black ink on white, letter-sized paper. The text should be in a common font, double spaced, with a one-inch margin on all sides. Individual agents and publishers may have specific guidelines for the format of your manuscript.
Finding an Agent or Publisher. There is little more to the process of finding an agent or publisher than locating a listing in a market directory such as Writer's Market. You can purchase a copy at most bookstores or reference it at the library. (See the link in the next section to Writer's Market Online.) The tough part is figuring out which agent or publisher (of the thousands listed) will be most receptive to your book proposal so you don't waste your time or theirs with the submission process. Before you submit your manuscript, carefully check over the agent or publisher's submission guidelines provided in the market directory.
Using an agent is optional, but may be significantly beneficial because agents know the publishing industry well, and editors will be more receptive to viewing the work of an author represented by an agent. Most agents will accept unsolicited query letters in which you propose your story idea. If the agent contacts you with his interest, he'll likely ask you to send either an outline, sample chapters, or the complete manuscript. Writer's Market offers tips for query letter writing and contacting an agent.
Waiting for a Response. Agents and editors are busy people. You may wait months for a response to your query letter. During this time, redirect your attention to a new project. Most listings in Writer's Market give an approximate response time. After this time as passed, you may send a follow up letter in which you describe your original query and include a self-addressed, stamped reply postcard or envelope as you did with your original query.
