Question about submitting manuscripts to publishers.

[trof]

OK, I've finally decided to write a book.
I know the odds against getting it published are enormous.
However...can any published authors tell me what publishers prefer?
Old fashioned paper and print manuscripts.
Or CDs?

Thanks.

[oneighty]

1. Hey Trof

I want a copy.

I had voyages registered with library of congress. They preferred the print over CD; for what it is worth.

I got new book 'KAZUKO'. PM your e-mail and I will mail it to you if you are interested.

180

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Printed manuscript, in Courier

Looking like it came from a typewriter. Unless they tell you otherwise, assume that.

Very few will look at a complete unsolicited ms. Most will accept query letters, although whether they actually read them is another question.

Nowadays, it's best to start by approaching agents, not publishers.

All of the above refers to big publishers. Small ones are much more varied and much more likley to read your letter and actually ask to see the ms.

[Taxloss]

6. Courier?

I know that's standard for scripts, but isn't it awfully hard to read in a novel? I've never seen an M/s in courier. I personally would suggest good ole Times New Roman 12 or 14 pt, which serves me well, or one of the Helvetica-alikes, such as Arial or, um, Helvetica.

[DavidDvorkin]

8. Courier for the manuscript

Printed manuscripts, I'm talking about.

Editors prefer it for a variety of reasons, of them being that, with a manuscript printed in 12pt Courier, they can accurately estimate the size of the printed book that would result, which means they know the cost of each copy give a printrun of x copies. That figures into their decision about buying the manuscript.

I've also been told by editors that they find Courier the easiest to read -- least strain on the eyes -- in printed mss.

[Finder]

9. Courier is easy on the eyes...

Most editors will not read a manuscript in any other font. Always follow the publisher's guidelines.

[Taxloss]

12. I think things must be different here.

I have never had any trouble with TNR.

[petgoat]

13. I noticed that documents filed in lawsuits were always

printed in Courier. I figured that must be because it's easy to read.

Every character is the same width. Proportional fonts like TNR look
nice, but they're more fatiguing when you read all day I guess (and
believe).

[petgoat]

3. I'd recommend that you very early in the process write the

letter you intend to use to pitch the book to publishers
and agents, and also a plot summary or outline. Of course
these will change as the book evolves, but they help keep
you on track (or help you recognize why some new track is
better).

If you are writing non-fiction and have credentials in the
field you're writing about, it's possible to sell a book on
the basis of an outline and sample chapters. Michael Larsen's
book on non-fiction book proposals is a classic.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898797713/104-5751351-0739165?v=glance&n=283155

If you're writing fiction and haven't published before, you'll
probably have to finish the manuscript before anyone will consider
it. I've found Elizabeth Lyon's book very helpful in writing fiction pitches:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0936085401/104-5751351-0739165?v=glance&n=283155

Also, Donald Maass's "Writing the Breakout Novel" helps to warn you away from
writing a book just like everybody else's.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158297182X/104-5751351-0739165?v=glance&n=283155

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. Go for it trof

I would be very interested in reading your book

[trof]

5. Thanks all.

I'll keep you posted.

[shugah]

7. get a current copy of Writer's Market

it lists all kinds of publishing sources and details what they expect in submissions.

most book publishers (but not all) prefer literary agent submissions (Writer's Market also lists agents).

WM provides contact information so you can submit query letters - if your query is accepted publishers will let you know how to submit.

note: i've never had a book published (i've never finished one yet! ;-) ), but have had stories and articles published in magazines. Writer's Market has been an invaluable tool.

[janx]

10. What kind of book are you going to write?

Rules differ in that regard.

[trof]

11. Memoire? Autobiog? About my 10 years with Japanese cargo airline.

Mostly humorous, because it really was a stitch most of the time.

"Certificate of Achievement
East meets west in the cockpit"
is the working title