Submission Guidelines

Posted on Oct 2nd, 2010 | 8 comments

Last Update January, 2012

Please address all queries to:

representation [at] booksandsuch [dot] com

→ If you intend to query ME specifically, please indicate that in your subject line or the first part of your email.

→ When you send a query to the correct email address, you will get an automated response, usually within 3 to 4 days, saying we received your query.

→ I do NOT accept queries at my personal email address. Please use the one specified above.

→ I only accept queries by email, NO snail mail.

→ Read “What I’m Looking For” to see if I will consider your project.

If we are interested in your project, we will be in contact within 30 days or sooner. If we do not think your project is something we can represent, we may or may not be in contact, depending on current workload. But if you don’t hear from us within 30 days, you can assume it’s a pass.

All queries should include:

1. A pitch for the book;

2. Information about you and your platform (for nonfiction) or writing background if you have one (for fiction);

3. The first 3 to 5 pages of the manuscript pasted into the email. (The Books & Such website does not specify this part, but if you’re querying me, I prefer to have it.)

All information must be in the email, as we do NOT open attachments and we do NOT click on links.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

→ With FICTION, you must have a completed manuscript before contacting us, unless you have at least two novels published (not including self published).

→ With NON-FICTION, you can query when you have a completed book proposal and three sample chapters. See “How to Write a Book Proposal.”

→ The query letter is a short pitch (equivalent to one page, about three to six paragraphs).

→ For NON-FICTION, include the felt need, your approach and main ideas, your platform and expertise, and how much material you can send if it is requested. Make sure you tell us a little about yourself, enough to let us know why YOU are the person to write this book.

→ For FICTION, don’t give a synopsis of the whole book—just write a pitch a couple of paragraphs long, designed to make us want to read your book.

Important:
Please also include the first three to five (or so) pages of your manuscript pasted in to the body of the email. Don’t include any attachments to the email—they won’t be opened. Please also refrain from asking us to click on a link to find out more. If you have a link to your website in your signature line, and we are interested in your query, we might click on it.

→ Please remember this is your first writing sample and it may be your only chance to WOW us… so write your query accordingly. There are numerous books, websites, and blogs on how to write great queries.

→ If we are interested in your project, we’ll respond by requesting a PARTIAL or a full manuscript. You will be expected to send it via email in a single Word attachment.

→ We DO accept simultaneous submissions.

GUIDELINES and PROTOCOL

→ We do not take unsolicited pitches by phone.

→ Always make sure your e-mail address and phone number are clearly visible no matter what you are sending.

→ I do NOT accept snail mail queries. Email only.

→ When you send email attachments in response to our request, please consolidate into ONE attachment. Don’t have separate chapters in separate files.

There is copious information on this blog to help you prepare query letters and book proposals. Please use the links in the sidebar to find the information you need.

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