You Might Also Like...

• 

  What in the World do I do with this Manuscript?

  591 readersby Todd RutherfordOnce you’ve put in the necessary time it takes to complete your book, you have your manuscript. You may be feeling like you’ve actually given birth at this point. There’s a big difference between reading about this process, and experiencing it. All of the creativity, focus, and work that go into completing a

• 

  An Offer Is In, and the Clock Starts Ticking

  389 readersA few months ago, I subbed a PB manuscript to a half dozen publishers. An assistant editor at one of the publishers contacted me to let me know they may be interested (she's passing it up to the to the head honcho). It's a very small, but reputable, house. With some luck, I'll get an

• 

  It’s an Auction! Or Not.

  878 readersYou have said never to call an editor to check on the status of your query or manuscript submission. Other editors and editorial assistants have said the same thing. Just. Don't. Call. I understand this. But what does the aspiring author do when a manuscript on multiple submission garners an

• 

  What’s the Big Deal about Book Covers?

  338 readersby Todd RutherfordThe cover of your book will often make your first impression with readers. Everyone knows that first impressions are very important. They should be done to the best of the author’s ability. Thought and purpose must be given to cover design. Publishers have long known that a book’s cover is instrumental to

• 

  You Are the Book Creator! But You’re Not the Book Seller.

  412 readersI'm working on a series of children's books -- 3 are finished, 3 in 'final draft' and ideas/outlines for 3 more are done. In the process of submitting work to agents (with query letters, etc.) none of the advice books clearly state where the illustration comes in. Do I have to contact one first

• 

  Does My Manuscript Need to Be Illustrated? FOR THE LAST TIME: NO

  446 readersHi, I was reading your blog about basic picture book contruction - which I understand and find very helpful in sharing with writers who want me to illustrate their books. What I am wondering is, if they ask me to prepare their layouts with their text so that they can shop them to editors/publishers, do

• 

  This Week in the Blogs, Aug 29 – Sept 4, 2010

  112 readersThis Week in the Self-Publishing Blogs, August 29 - September 4, 2010, including posts by Mike Shatzkin, Jane Friedman, Henry Baum, Joe Clark and Carol Denbow on subjects of interest to all self-publishers

• 

  Bowker Introduces Manuscript Submissions Service

  367 readersFor a $99 fee, the bibliographic company Bowker will submit your manuscript to publishers through the new Bowker Manuscript Submissions feature. Unagented authors can upload their manuscripts onto Bowker's online database. From there, agents and editors looking to acquire can quickly scan the available submissions and focus on the manuscripts that pique their interest. Bowker specializes

• 

  Looking for Money in the Slush Pile

  568 readersLast week, Michael Hyatt, CEO of prominent Christian publishing house Thomas Nelson, made an announcement on his blog with this post: Should You Consider Self-Publishing? I encourage you to read the post in full. But to summarize, Thomas Nelson is starting up a self-publishing imprint called Westbow Press. Now even if you aren’t writing for the Christian

• 

  Sneed Collard III Starts His Own Publishing House

  305 readersVeteran kidlit author Sneed Collard III (pictured) has formed his own publishing house, Bucking Horse Books. After 15 publishers rejected Collard's latest nonfiction title, The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale, he launched his own publishing house. The rejected manuscript will be the house's first title--due out in October with an initial print run