Querying 101, Part Four: Creating Your Submission Package
So far in this series we have discussed some basics of querying, such as when your manuscript is ready to begin the querying process, how to find a literary agent or publishing house, and how to write a query letter. What we have discussed, and will continue to discuss, applies mainly to fiction submissions. Some of the standards and requirements will be different for nonfiction projects. But today we are going to focus in on the rest of the submission package for a fiction project: the synopsis, manuscript, and supporting documents.
Agents and publishers will always let you know exactly what they want to see from a potential client. Some of the most common requests I’ve seen for an initial query are:
Detailed synopsis (varying page lengths)
For the first however many pages requested, this is something you typically won’t have to worry so much about simply because it is your completed polished manuscript... all you have to do is save however many pages they request into a separate document in the industry standard formatting.
Now as far as formatting, there are some pretty standard formatting rules for documents submitted to an agent. Here are the most common formatting rules and industry standards for manuscripts, to be used on any Word documents (or similar) as applicable:
Use 1 inch margins all around.
Left align all text. Do not center or justify or use any unusual formatting for alignment.
All text should be black, 12-point, Times New Roman or Arial. Courier may also be acceptable. The point is simple and standard.
Entire document is double-spaced. Don’t add spaces between paragraphs.
Indent first lines for the body of your work.
Include a title page. Don’t number this page.
The title page should include your title and name on separate lines, centered in the middle of the page. You may also use “Title” “A novel by” and “Name” on three separate lines.
In the header of the title page, include your name and contact information on the left (address, phone number, and email). On the right, give the word count (rounded to the nearest thousand) and genre.
Begin page number on the first page after the title page. Every page should now have a header including your name, title of the novel in all caps, and the page number.
For each chapter, begin on a fresh page about one-third from the top. The body of the chapter should begin four to six lines below the chapter number or title.
For any section breaks in your texts (shifts in scene within a chapter), center a “#” on a fresh line between sections.
Don’t underline anything in your work. Use italics.
If you must send a printed copy rather than emailing, use 20-lb bond paper.
For a manuscript, I have learned not to draft using any fancy type or designs... now, when I begin a new novel, I immediately begin by formatting it to industry standard to save myself time and aggravation later. Remember to follow these formatting rules when you send documents. Now is not the time to be cute. You need to look serious and professional, and breaking the rules won’t win you favors here.
For documents other than the manuscript, formatting rules 1-5 and 12-13 apply. Also be sure that you include the important information in the headers, especially name, title, and contact information.
The other commonly requested item for a submission package is the synopsis. Unlike in the query letter, you are writing a detailed account of your story... and its ending. This document is by nature supposed to be a dry read, and that’s not only okay but expected. Don’t use language such as “little did she know she was in for a surprise.” In this example, you would say instead exactly what happened: “she is surprised by the appearance of her vampire ex-lover.” Don’t be vague and don’t try to be cute or creative. Just tell the person the major points. If you write a two to three page synopsis, you should be right on track. For more information on how to write a synopsis, you can read these posts from Writer’s Workshop and Writer’s Digest.
Occasionally I have seen requests for different lengths of a synopsis... I was once asked for a ten-page one. That was killer. In this case, you will have to rework what you already have to fit the submission guidelines.
By the end of today’s post, you should now know how to prepare your standard documents for submission: manuscript, supporting documents (segments of your manuscript), and synopsis. If you have at least the manuscript (in proper formatting) and a two to three page synopsis prepared, you will be ready to start submitting to as many agents as you want.
My final piece of advice: proofread and have others proofread everything you plan to submit for typos and grammatical errors before you send anything!!!!! That includes your manuscript, that beast you cranked out over who knows how long. Remember, we want to look professional. If there are errors all over, that does not make you look professional. It makes it look like you either didn’t care enough to fix the mistakes or you think you are above copyediting your work. Neither of those things puts you in a favorable light. We want to give our work the best chances of success, and this is the easiest part.
Now that we know how to create these documents, how do you actually go about sending your query? How many agents should you send it to at once?
Come back next week, and we will discuss these questions.
Part Two: Choosing Representation (Or Publishers)
Part Three: Crafting the Query Letter
Part Four: Creating Your Submission Package
Part Six: Rejection, Requests, and Next Steps
