S T E P S F O R G E T T I N G Y O U R M A N U S C R I P T P U B L I S H E D

PREPARATION FOR PUBLISHING

OVERVIEW

• Finish Your Manuscript

• Manuscript Formatting

• Editing and Editors

• Literary Agents

• Manuscript Submission Process

• Contract Considerations

The Great Canadian Novel

FINISH YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Do not approach an editor or publisher until you have finished your entire manuscript! No exceptions, not even when sending a query letter.

FORMATTING

Formatting your manuscripts in the acceptable industry standard ways is important for any type of writing and to any type of publisher/production: • Books, short stories, magazine articles, newsletters, etc. • Scripts for plays and visual media outlets (TV and Movies) • Poetry – has its own set of rules/non-rules, depending on the form of

the poem

MARGINS

1” margins

1” margins

1” margins

TEXT PLACEMENT

Left justification

Left justified alignment, ragged right side

Ragged right

LINE SPACING

Double Space Text

Equal double-spaces between lines and paragraphs

Not right!

FONTS

Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point font

Arial

Times New Roman

PARAGRAPH INDENTS

Indented by 5 spaces (.3”not the automatic .5” setting)

.5”

.3”

PARAGRAPH SPACING

No extra spaces between paragraphs

Only exception is if you are switching scenes or for a section break

CHAPTER PAGE SET-UP – LONG MANUSCRIPTS

• Each separate chapter of the long manuscript starts on its own page, beginning one third to halfway down the page with the title of the chapter (or number, if the chapter has no title).

PUNCTUATION

• Use only one (1) space after end of sentence punctuation.

NB: Set your default for English (Canada) spelling. (Do NOT use the default US).

RUNNING HEADER

A running header appears on each page (except the cover page of a long manuscript) • left aligned and usually italicized, it has the title of the piece in caps,

a slash (/) and then author’s last name, (the page number goes to the right side)

PAGE NUMBERS

Page numbers go on the upper right hand side of the page on the same line as the running header • sequential from the first page of the book to the last, except on the title. (Do not number

each chapter separately). • Page numbers in a longer manuscript do not go on the title page.

LONG MANUSCRIPT TITLE PAGE

Title page: Go about 1/3 down the page and centre: • Title • © symbol year, author’s name • Word count

Near the bottom on the left add: • Full contact name • Street address • City/province and postal code • Phone number you can be reached at • Email address • Website (optional)

SHORT STORIES & ARTICLES

• On the top left hand corner of the page in a single-spaced, left-aligned block place your contact information: Name and address, phone number and e-mail address

• In the top right hand corner, include

the genre and the word count

• The title is centered about halfway down the page below the contact information, in a bolded text

SHORT STORY HEADERS

• For the rest of the pages include a running header that is left aligned, containing the author's last name, a slash (/) and then the title of the piece ( no more than 3 or 4 words), and the page number in top right corner, beginning on page 2

FORMATTING A SHORT PIECE

• Always use 12-point, Arial or Times New Roman font

• Always double-space • Use 1-inch margins • Indent your paragraphs (like a

book)

MANUSCRIPT PRINTING

• Use good quality white paper (20-lb. minimum)

• Print single-sided

BASIC SUBMISSION METHODS

Hard Copy/Mailed Submissions: • Manuscript pages may be paper clipped or held with an elastic, but

it is best to leave them loose in a 9” x 12” envelope. Do NOT staple, bind or otherwise confine pages to folders or manufactured covers. Very large manuscripts may be placed in larger envelopes or boxes.

SHORT PIECE SUBMISSION PACKAGE

• Leave your pages unstapled

• Include a brief cover letter mentioning : • the title of your story • one line about the topic • a 30-word bio • any major publications you’ve been accepted in

• In the package, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS

• Attach the manuscript Word document in the email to the publisher, formatted exactly as you would for a printed copy.

• Attach each photograph/visual separately in the email

EDITING

• You must EDIT your work before you submit it

• You must Revise, Rewrite, and Edit your work all along the process

• You must Edit and Proofread before you submit your work • Your MUST have your work Edited before you submit it!

TYPES OF EDITING

• Developmental Editing • Structural/Substantive Editing • Stylistic/Line Editing • Copyediting • Proofreading

EDITING & PROOFREADING

An editor and proofreader are two different people • The editor deals with a work from the manuscript stage through to

production, dealing with everything from spelling and grammar to consistency and format

• A proofreader is the final set of eyes, as a work is put into print by the publisher (and before a writer submits the manuscript)

WHAT IS A PROOFREADER?

• The proofreader looks for blatant errors that happen during the process of transforming an electronic file into the physical book form.

• The process deals with looking for last minute spelling errors, missed punctuation and spacing issues.

• The proofreader does not communicate with an author. The proofreader is hired by the publisher and deals only with the proof of the work.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

The editor works alongside the writer as a story takes shape, preparing a manuscript for submission to a publisher.

COPYEDITING

Addresses the more mechanical aspects of a manuscript. Editing for: • Grammar • Spelling • Punctuation • Other mechanics of style • Checking for consistency of mechanics • Checking internal consistency of facts

STYLISTIC/LINE EDITING

• Provides close scrutiny of the inner workings of your story, which fit together to make up the bigger picture

• The editor clarifies meaning, eliminates jargon and clichés, corrects problems of grammar, repetition, word usage, smoothing language, and polishing your distinct style

• May include checking or correcting reading level, adjusting tone and formality of language, including dialogue

STRUCTURAL/SUBSTANTIVE EDITING

• Provides a thorough look at your manuscript as a whole.

• The document is evaluated as a whole and problems of structure, organization, coherence, and logical consistency are corrected. Sentences may be removed or added.

• Paragraphs may be rewritten, condensed, or expanded. Blocks of text may be moved from one section to another.

BASIC EDITING MARKS

WRITING STYLE RESOURCES

Use the following resources for basic writing style information (mechanics, grammar, spelling, etc.). The order listed is the order of authority used by most publishers. • Chicago Manual of Style • Canadian Oxford Dictionary • Editing Canadian English

THE ROLES OF AN EDITOR AT A PUBLISHING HOUSE

• Choosing the book • They negotiate the contract terms with the author and/or agent • There are many different steps to editing a book. The editors are

in charge of this, ensuring that the end product is the best it can be

• An editor will work with copyediting, design and production • They work with the other artists involved in your project (art

direction of the jacket) • Advocate for the sales of your work and perform marketing duties • They can be a writer’s link into the publishing process, providing

updates and keeping them informed as to what the publishing house is doing in regards to the author’s work

STEPS TO HIRING AN EDITOR

• Evaluate your work and decide what skills you will need in an editor.

• Establish a business plan for your work, outlining the budget and schedule.

• Do some research. Make a list of possible editors that you may want to work on your project.

• Your research may take you to websites such as the Editors’ Association of Canada (EAC) or to various industry magazines that provide information for writers and industry professionals alike.

• Narrow down your list. Choose only the editors that will best suit your specific needs.

HIRING AN EDITOR

• Contact the editors. A writer may contact an editor by telephone, email, or by land mail. Generally, editors will outline how they would like to be contacted.

• When you have made contact, it is time to ask questions. Ask to see samples of their work, and ask how long they have been in the industry, their availability and fees.

• Make the choice, hire your editor. Remember that when entering into any business deal it is important to have a written contract drawn up.

• Your contract with your editor should outline a timeline and what is

expected from each party as well as commission and expenses.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN EDITOR

An Editor should: • have a good basic knowledge of the publishing process

• understand the importance of the audience and the purpose of your

material

• should know the scope of the project

• should be comfortable with the medium (electronic books, textbook, novel, etc…) in which they are working

• set and maintain a plausible schedule for the publishing of a work

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN EDITOR…

• They are expected to identify and address any legal or ethical problems that may arise

• To identify and define the appropriate editorial intervention required

for each unique work • To provide clear communication about edits so that they are

properly applied and captured in the production process Resource: http://www.editors.ca/resources/eac_publications/pes/introduction.html

LITERARY AGENTS

• Literary agents serve as representation for the writer and their works.

• They assist in negotiating sales and contracts with publishing houses and submit your work for you to the publishers.

• Some major publishing houses will not accept unrepresented manuscript submissions, therefore a writer looking at publishing on an international level or through a major publishing house may benefit from having a literary agent represent them.

• Literary agents handle the business end of writing. They negotiate contracts and handle the publicity and promotional aspects of the literary business.

• Literary agents are knowledgeable about the literary market and can guide writers in navigating the twists and turns of the literary market.

DO YOU NEED A LITERARY AGENT?

• In Canada it is not always necessary for a writer to have an agent in order to be published

• You will need one to work with an international

publishing house or one of the more prominent publishers

• A personal business plan that outlines your expectations for your work may help you to decide

• Most literary agents do not represent writers of

short stories. In this case the writer will have to approach publishers themselves

GENERAL TIPS ON FINDING A LITERARY AGENT

• Begin with research of agents/agencies. • Know what the genre is that an agent prefers to represent. Many

agents have specific areas of expertise and it is up to you to note what genres they deal with and whether your work may fit with the agency.

• Talk to other authors and writers. Networking with other writers can

help you to decide which agents may be right for you and your work. Authors with representation can also give you some insight into which agencies are reputable and which ones are not. Experience can be everything and learning from others is important.

FINDING A LITERARY AGENT

• Go to your local bookstore or library. Most often reading other works in the same genre or on similar areas of interest can help to point you towards an agent that will best suit your needs.

• The name of an agent can be found by reading dedications and acknowledgement pages, or by contacting the publisher.

• Surf the web and read industry magazines. There are numerous online forums, blogs, and articles that can help you navigate and locate prospective agents.

PRE-SUBMISSION PROCESS

• Research markets and target audience • Research possible submission-based publishers, or self-publishing

options • NB: Research the type of publisher that publishes what you have

written!

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION PROCESS

The key to submitting your manuscript is to read the submission guidelines and make sure you have included everything! • Your query or cover letter with all the necessary information

• Required manuscript sample or full manuscript (properly formatted)

• Return postage (if outside Canada, other countries have their own

monetary and postal system, so you will need to purchase an International Reply Coupon)

QUERY AND COVER LETTERS

• A query letter asks permission to send the project described in the letter. The query letter is sent without an accompanying manuscript (or sometimes a sample chapter is requested in the submission guidelines).

• A query letter must sell the editor on looking at your completed manuscript.

• A cover letter is a business letter, which accompanies the complete manuscript being submitted to an editor, publisher, or agent. It should be concise, informative and professional.

• Cover and query letters must be written with the same care as you

took with your manuscript. Use your ten seconds for all they're worth.

• NB: Both are only one page long!

COVER & QUERY LETTER FORMATS

• Typed and single-spaced

• Written in standard business form

• Printed on plain white, 81/2-by-11 inch paper (or personal business letterhead

• No longer than one page NB: The more white space on the paper, the more inviting a busy editor will find your letter.

QUERY LETTERS

• The first paragraph must hook the editor's attention in the tone of the manuscript you want to submit.

• Then, in a couple of sentences, tell the plot of your story, including the ending. Tell the high points of your plot in a sentence or two.

• The remainder of the query letter will have the same information a cover letter would--the nature of what you want to submit (genre, word count, title), why you chose to send to them, and pertinent information about yourself.

COVER LETTERS

• Begin the cover letter with a paragraph that states what you are submitting. It should include the title of the piece, the genre, and the approximate word count.

• There are instances when you may want or need to impart more information--such as to alert the editor to the timeliness of your topic, provide important exclusive source information, or let the editor know that photos are available.

• Next, tell why you have chosen to send your material to that editor or publishing house.

• Finally, tell a bit about yourself, but only what is pertinent to the project.

COVER AND QUERY LETTER CHECKLIST

• Includes name, return address, phone number, and email address • Addressed to the proper editor, whose name is spelled correctly • Concise, polished and written in a business format • One-page letter contains no more than three or four paragraphs and

as much white space as possible • Sounds professional • Spelling and grammar checked • Proper font and size is used • Includes an enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope large

enough and with the proper postage for the return of the manuscript (for cover letters) or a business sized self-addressed, stamped postcard for the editor/publisher/agents response

CONTRACT CONSIDERATIONS

• A contract is required under the new SK Arts Professions Act, and will protect both parties involved.

• Contracts are necessary between writers and publishers, editors, and agents.

• Also between authors and illustrators, translators, etc.

GENERAL POINTS REQUIRED IN MOST CONTRACTS

• The legal names of the engager (client) and the writer • The date of the contract • An outline of the work or performance • Any financial considerations due to the writer as well as the terms

and conditions of payment • The frequency with which the publisher, editor, or agent will

report to the writer concerning any transactions made with respect to the work

• Terms of termination • Dispute resolution mechanisms • Outline of any licence of right consented to by the writer • Whether the licence is transferable to a third party • Any waiver of moral rights

SWG WEBSITE….HOW TO….

MECHANICS OF WRITING

PUBLISHING INSIGHTS

SWG WEBSITE URLS

• Main Website: www.skwriter.com

• How-to...Professional Development: • http://www.skwriter.com/professional-development