By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin
Every writer pitches their ideas
to literary agents and publishers. I've listened to many of these pitches
personally at writers conferences and I've received stacks of these submissions
as an editor and agent.
In a matter of seconds, I can
tell if something is going to be worth reading and considering. Yes,
seconds. Millions of submissions are in circulation at different
offices. The editors and agents are actively looking because it is their
business to find fresh talent and publish authors.
I've received many unusual
submissions. The number and variety of these submissions grew that I started a
file in my desk and labeled it, Strange But True. Recently, another one landed in my mail
box. Just to be clear, I've worked at Morgan James Publishing for eight years.
Our primary mailing address is in New York City. This handwritten letter was
addressed:
Manuscript Review
Committee
Morgan James
Publishing
9457 S. University Blvd, Suite
621
Highlands Ranch, CO
80129
It came to my personal address
yet it was addressed to the “committee.” OK. I opened it and thankfully it has
an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope). The letter (typed) began, “Dear
Sirs,” Why would you address a single editor to his personal mail box with the
plural Dear Sirs?
First paragraph: “If you could
hold in your hands, this moment, the most urgent, significant, consequential
revelations of the century, a manuscript so meaningful as to rival the Holy
Bible of old, a manuscript containing the most sacred and controversial heavenly
truths ever bestowed on the eath (she meant earth); would you publish
it?”
OK, this paragraph is engaging
yet full of exaggeration. It is in many respects over the top.
Second paragraph: “This
manuscript exists. _______ is about 900 pages of the most sacred words of the
holy angels of God. This is a powerful, dynamic manuscript from a heavenly
perspective, not a mortal imagination. These are deep, thought-provoking,
intelligent, inspirational words which will invoke an indelible emotion in the
reader. Some will tremble in the soul. Eyes will fill with tears as they
recognize these are actual truths of angel's wisdom. This is not another “angel
book.”
A typical nonfiction book (which
this claims to be) is 40 to 80,000 words. The world of books and magazine looks
for the word count--not the page count. Estimating 200 words a page, this
manuscript is 180,000 words or over 700 pages of a typeset book. That fact alone
is enough to get this instantly rejected. The author has no concept of the
challenges of book production or the difficulties that such a large book will
mean to any publisher--much less thinking about the contents. I'm speaking only
of the word count. It is way beyond the normal range.
Whenever as a writer you submit
your material to an editor or agent, you only have one chance to
make a good first impression. I answered questions about book
proposals in a free teleseminar. This teleseminar launched my Write A Book
Proposal training program. In 12-weeks, I teach step-by-step how to craft a
book proposal and sample chapter which will gather the right sort of
interest.
Every writer needs to learn all
they can to make the best possible impression on the agent or editor. They are
searching for a champion who will move their idea through the publishing process
and they will ultimately get their book published and into the marketplace. As
for this “submission” to the Manuscript Review Committee, it will only land in
my “Strange But True” Manila folder. My hope is my article gives you an
explanation why unsolicited submissions are called The Slush Pile. Rarely do you
find something golden in there but it is possible and hope springs eternal.
Are you targeting your
submissions to the right editor or literary agent or leaping into their slush pile? Let me know in the comments
below.
Tweetable:
W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. His work contact information is on the bottom of the second page (follow this link). He has written for over 50 magazines and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. His latest book for writers is 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. Get this book for only $10 + free shipping and over $200 in bonuses. One of Terry's most popular free ebooks is Straight Talk From the Editor, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission. He lives in Colorado and has 190,000 twitter followers.
W. Terry Whalin is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. His work contact information is on the bottom of the second page (follow this link). He has written for over 50 magazines and more than 60 books with traditional publishers. His latest book for writers is 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. Get this book for only $10 + free shipping and over $200 in bonuses. One of Terry's most popular free ebooks is Straight Talk From the Editor, 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission. He lives in Colorado and has 190,000 twitter followers.
