Editors and agents receive multiple submissions per week. If a writer fails to adhere to specific guidelines, then that submission is an easy no. This is why it’s important that writers spend as much time necessary preparing their work for submission. Otherwise, they may risk receiving an automatic rejection from their favorite agent or editor.
So what can you do, as an aspiring author, to ensure that you do not receive this automatic no?
Here are five ways you can prepare for submission.
1. Double check that you have spelled the agent’s or editor’s name correctly.
This is likely the first impression you will make (after the subject line, of course).
2. Ensure you are submitting to the right person.
Check the website. You don’t want to make the mistake of submitting a YA fiction project to an agent who only represents adult fiction!
3. Follow requested guidelines.
The guidelines are there for a reason! It’s only the writers who adhere to these guidelines who will make a professional impression.
4. Edit your query, proposal, and sample chapters.
Don’t rush this process. Search for typos. I personally recommend having beta readers, critique partners, and/or professional editors review your submission before sending it off.
5. Save your submission in the right file and stick with the standard submission format.
Again, you will want to review the guidelines to ensure that you hit every mark. There are some agents and editors who are particular about the file and font type. Remember that the standard file is .doc/.docx file, and the standard font is Times New Romans, 12 pt.
For those of you who might be unfamiliar with this process, you might assume that agents and editors are asking too much of writers—as if they’re requesting that writers jump through unnecessary hoops. But trust me when I say that these guidelines are set for a reason. Not to frustrate the author, but because it helps the agents and editors in their specific evaluation process.
So if you want to avoid those automatic rejections, do your research ahead of time. Yes, even if it requires hours upon hours of prep work. Keep in mind that almost every successful traditionally-published author has gone through this process as well.
Then, when you’re ready—and only then—should you send your work into the publishing world.
How do you prepare your work for submission? Let me know in the comments!
Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show teens they’re not alone. Her passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. Tessa’s first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, will release with Bethany House in 2018. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: tessaemilyhall.com.
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1 Comment
Great post and insight, I will be sharing. I am a victim of a careless hasty submission myself. While attending my first BRMCWC I was so excited when I received a request for my first Christian nonfiction book, I went back to my room and quickly emailed it to the interested agent without ever checking their specific proposal guidelines. No, I never heard back, bu learned a big lesson.