DO'S AND DON'TS OF
MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

OK. Now your manuscript is ready. How do you go about submitting it? It's of course quite straightforward, but a few tips might help.

THE MANUSCRIPT

The manuscript should be printed out (if you're using a word processor) or typed in double line spacing, with margins of about 1.25" on all sides, on only one side of the paper, and with serially numbered pages.

The cover or title page should clearly contain the novel's name, the author's name and contact information, the word count (with MS-Word this is simple, but if you've typed your manuscript, count the number of words in each of ten densely packed pages, average it out per page and multiply this by the total number of pages), the page count and the chapter count. Editors need this information before they can finally take a decision on your manuscript.

In the event you're using a Word Processor, you might consider inserting your name and the novel's name on alternate Headers. Not really necessary, of course. Just looks a bit better.

Do not file the manuscript in a box file or any file. Publishers prefer manuscripts reaching them in loose leaf form. So, at best, place it in an easily openable folder when you send it to them. And don't worry. Manuscripts survive.

Make a few photocopies of the manuscript and keep them ready for despatch.

Make a few extra copies of the first three chapters (or the best three chapters, whichever you prefer), since many publishers / literary agents would like to see this before asking to see the manuscript.

THE SUBMISSION PROCESS

Manuscript submission is a three stage process in many parts of the world, whether you're submitting it to a publisher or a literary agent : The Query, The Sample and Full Version.

The Query letter should give a brief sketch about yourself, your writing experience (or lack of it), and your future writing plans. Also the 'submission history' of the manuscript may be mentioned (Don't worry. Publishers apparently don't base their publishing decisions on how many rejections a manuscript has received. But if you're squeamish about this, just leave this part out). A brief (not more than one typewritten or printed page) synopsis of the novel should be appended to the query. Many literary agents / publishers accept electronic queries (queries by e-mail), so keep a template ready for quick despatch.  Queries by fax are also sometimes entertained.

The Sample: Once the literary agent / publisher requests the first three chapters, go ahead and send it to them. Remember, they use this only to get an idea of your writing style and whether they find your writing effective enough. Its perfectly acceptable, therefore, to send your best three chapters, in case you're not entirely satisfied with your first three.

The Full Version: In the event that the literary agent / publisher like the sample, they might a) make you an offer that you won't refuse or b) if their mind still needs  further making up, they might request to see the rest of the manuscript.

Indian publishers don't seem to mind receiving the complete manuscript right at the beginning. Of course a query letter and a synopsis should accompany the submission.

THE WAIT

This is the real killer. The manuscript's been sent. You're scanning your mail box / e-mail box / fax machine, waiting for the arrival of that letter / e-mail / fax that will change the course of your life. The following might help during this period:
 

• Try and remember that literary agents and publishers are flooded with manuscripts. Don't expect a response for at least two to three weeks if you've sent Sample chapters, or six to eight weeks if you've sent the entire manuscript.

• Although some people may not agree, I think that, considering the long response times involved, it's perfectly acceptable to send copies of your manuscript to two or three publishers / literary agents at the same time, provided you acknowledge this in the query letter. Otherwise, it might take you a couple of years to go down the long list of agents / publishers.

• Try and think of other things. Don't obsess about the manuscript. Easier said than done. But try it anyway.

• Try and get a loving and supporting spouse. I can't tell you how important this is to maintain one's sanity.

• Try and earn some money to cover the costs involved in the submission process.

• Believe in yourself. Start writing your second novel.

• Put up your own personal home page (free, of course).

• Share your frustrations with me