As a publisher, these are some of the questions I get asked most…
What are publishers looking for?
How is ‘the slush pile’ assessed?
Why does it take so long to hear back from a publisher?
Here is my do’s, & don’ts of submitting your manuscript and what us publishers call ‘the slush pile.’
What’s the process of submission?
Before you submit your manuscript to a publisher you must do everything you can to ensure that your work is at a publishable standard. See my previous blog on Manuscript Readiness – How do I know when my manuscript is ready to be submitted? You get only one chance to make an impression, so you want to make sure your work is at a high standard.
Once you’re ready, the next step is to do your research to find the right publisher for your work. No matter how wonderful your manuscript is, if you are submitting to publishers who do not publish your genre, it will be rejected. This information is typically outlined in the publisher’s submission guidelines, but you can also look at the list of books they are currently publishing for guidance.
In Australia, most publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts, either all year around, or at particular times of the year. This means you can submit your work directly to the publisher without the need for a literary agent, unlike markets such as the US and UK.
Each publisher has their own guidelines for submission, and it pays to follow those guidelines closely. While it may not seem meaningful to you whether your manuscript has double-spacing or not, following these guidelines carefully demonstrates you’re someone who is capable and considerate enough to read and follow instructions – i.e. you’re someone they might want to work with.
What is a slush pile and how is it assessed?
When you make a submission to a publisher, your work lands in what is called ‘the slush pile,’ which is essentially just a stack of unread manuscripts.
Editors and publishers will do what’s called ‘the sifting process’ to separate the manuscripts that deserve more attention and those that don’t. Often, manuscripts are flagged or shortlisted based on the quality and/or appeal of their synopsis, bio and a quick read of the text. If the publisher is drawn in by a clear, succinct pitch and an enticing hook, then the manuscript will be considered more carefully.
How do you stand out in the slush pile?
Some publishers receive thousands of unsolicited manuscripts per year. As a publisher, my best advice is to make sure your manuscript and pitch are in the best shape they can be before submitting them. Your first chapter, in particular, should be as polished as it can be. This is not only the publisher’s first impression but will also be the reader’s first impression when it comes time for them to read it! I’m always looking for a book that knows what it is.
Who’s your audience?
What’s the genre?
Where would this book sit on a shelf?
A manuscript will stand out if it has a great first chapter where the reader is straight into the story. I’m always looking out for originality and a strong, clear voice.
What are some of the most common mistakes publishers see?
The biggest mistake I find is authors not thinking about the market for their book or showing that they haven’t researched the publisher they’re submitting to. You need to show that you’ve considered where your book would sit in a bookshop.
What successful books is it similar to?
How do you think it might be marketed?
And always read the submission guidelines: if the publisher only wants three chapters, don’t send the whole novel, and if they don’t publish poetry, don’t send them poetry.
Don’t make it easy for publishers to ignore your submission. As a publisher, I want to give unrepresented authors a chance to get published, but slush piles are huge, and it takes time to read and sift through all the manuscripts, so a non-conforming submission makes for an easy “no”.
Submit exactly the material that is requested, particularly the word count, look carefully at the areas of interest to the publisher, and polish those words. Spelling and grammatical errors stand out for all the wrong reasons!
Submission Checklist
Make sure your manuscript is at a publishable standard.
Understand the genre you are writing in.
Do your research to find the right publisher for your work.
Follow the submission guidelines closely.
This article was inspired by Behind the book: submitting to a publisher - Australian Society of Authors (asauthors.org.au)
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Crystal Leonardi is an award-winning author and publisher. Her titles include Boy of Steel: Little Sebastian's Big Miracle (2021), 6 Steps to Self-publishing with Crystal Leonardi (2022), My Brother Sebastian: Explaining Cancer to Kids (2022), My Friend Alice: Explaining Disability to Kids (2023) and My Mate Jed: Explaining Stroke to Kids (2024). You can buy her books here.
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