posted
Okay, so I was checking my email this morning, and I came across a returned submission from a publisher for my novel. After the polite thank you, it said something I haven't read before today.
"I enjoyed what I read, and would like to read more. "
Squee!!
I'm supposed to send her my full manuscript, but I don't know if I should put my query back in.
What is the correct format for sending a full manuscript to a publisher?
So far, I have this.
"Thank you so much for asking to see more. I'm happy you've liked it so far and I hope you enjoy the full manuscript."
Should I put in an elevator pitch, or the full query, or my author information?
I'm seriously in a state of "I don't know what to do/ I'm so happy/ don't get your hopes up/ don't mess this up, Sheena."
posted
I think you should at least remind this publisher that they asked to see more...but I'm not sure of the etiquette of it all...
Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
My suggestion would be to reply to their e-mail and ask them in what format they would prefer to recieve the complete manuscript. Usually, this will be in 'hard copy', double-spaced, courier 12 point font.
Now, you need to present yourself as a serious writer and *not* a wannabe. Whatever they ask for, do exactly as they request. Don't try and be *artistic*.
That's a link to the SFWA's 'Information Center' section. It's filled with answers to questions you never even knew you had, as well as most of what you are looking for. Their whole site, maybe apart from the format, is full of great stuff.
Personally, I have found the FAQ for Beginning Writers post especially useful, and on top of that it was compiled by the moderater of this very forum. It includes a very no-nonsense guide to manuscript format which I refer to every time I submit a story.
Again, fantastic job. It's the first step to letting yourself recognize that you really do have something to say, and that maybe someone out there would like to hear it. And pay you. Most of us are here looking for exactly that same thing.
Posts: 31 | Registered: Jul 2012
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The only thing that surprises me in opening post is that this news hadn't come a very long time ago. As one who has read your stuff for a couple of years, I had been expecting a Woo-Hoo like this.
I do not have any experience in this matter but I think you have the correct approach. Short and polite. Gracious minus the over-exuberance. This is only (like only is a small thing) a request for the manuscript, not an offer for a sale.
Act like your a big fan of your favorite rock band and you found an open door to the back stage. Don't jump for joy when you come face-to-face with the gorgeous lead singer, and don't freeze like a deer in the headlights, act as if you belong there. In other words, pretend this isn't the first time you received news like this. Manuscript requests is something you get all the time.
Congrats.
Q: Is this from Angry Robot?
Posts: 3072 | Registered: Dec 2007
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Thanks everyone for the wahoos, and the help. I pressed send, and remembered to attach the manuscript, and remembered to press save before I pressed attach file, so I'm as good as I can be.
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