The Writing Jobs

This is true whether it's a novel, a magazine article, a short story - it doesn't matter: You MUST follow the submission guidelines exactly!

Believe it or not, there ARE some publishers who purposely make their submission guidelines difficult or ambiguous to make sure you actually pay attention to them. I'll be honest with you, if you can't follow the rules, a publisher isn't going to want to work with you and it won't matter too much how good your writing is.

If you're famous and your name carries some weight, maybe you can act like an ego-driven writer, but if you're just getting started, or only have a few books with modest sales, then you need to follow the rules.

You see, when a publisher has slated your book for publication, they want to know you're going to be able to follow their instructions to get the book ready to go to print, which means working with an editor, approving galleys, responding to emails, etc. If you can't follow the submission guidelines during your first contact, your first impression made, with the publisher, then how can they expect you to follow the instructions needed to get the book ready to go out to readers?

If you don't know how to format in MS Word, you need to learn how or you need to hire someone or beg someone to do it for you. Some things you'll likely need to know:

* How to set margins

* How to use the 'indent' feature, and NOT set tabs for the indents or use spaces (I'll write more on this one later - it's important!

* How to set line spacing

* How to turn off 'smart' formatting in MS Word

* How to turn off 'orphan/widow' controls

* How to turn off 'auto-formatting' options

* How to change fonts, font sizes, and font styles

* How to set justification (depends on publisher)

* How to use headers/foots (not all require this)

Depending on the publisher, these things may vary. You need to learn how to format your manuscript per their specifications and each publisher is likely to have their own specifications. You need to read the submission guidelines CAREFULLY and do everything they ask. Yes, this means you'll end up with a lot of different 'versions' of your manuscript.

One of the publishers I worked with was adamant - if the writer doesn't follow the submission guidelines to the letter, reject them, period. The other publisher was more lenient and allowed me to use my judgment as to whether or not I thought the writer read the guidelines and at least attempted to follow them, even if they weren't perfect about.

Your query and manuscript are what speaks to the publisher about who you are. They aren't going to meet you; they are going to meet your writing, and the only insight they'll have into YOU is your query and how you follow their instructions.

Writing is HIGHLY competitive. If you want to beat the competition, you have to write well, but I promise you someone who writes well beat out someone who writes fantastic if the fantastic writer can't follow the rules.

Being a writer is about a lot more than JUST writing.

Keep writing, and always read and follow the submission guidelines for a publisher to the letter!

Michelle L Devon is a professional writer and professional freelance editor, providing editing and writing services through her company, Accentuate Services For more information and additional hints and tips about writing and grammar, and to network and connect with other writers, please visit her FREE writer's forum at http://www.writersforum.info.