Want to know what is involved with a manuscript submission to a publisher?
Well, come inside my pretties:
Novel and author details
Includes the novel’s genre, intended audience, approximate page count, type of book [ie biography, fiction etc], and details on how to best contact the author. [You want to be told if they are publishing your book!]
Example:
Portal to Halycrus – a science fantasy narrative
Keira Wong
Address
Contact phone
Back Story and Situation
Brief synopsis of how the story is told [third person, first person], who is the main character and what happens.
Example:
“Halycrus” is told through protagonist Scott’s eyes, the black sheep of his family. He creates a portal into a parallel planet called Halycrus in a different dimension, whose sun has burnt out and left the planet in a perennial state of darkness. Due to the change in environment, the treacherous “mountain swine” have migrated from their dwelling in the upper mountain region and have forced the Halycrusians underground, hunting them and depriving of their only food source found aboveground. Scott’s contributes to the Halycrusians’ survival via the portal by bringing essential materials from Earth to help them collect food more efficiently. He also saves one of the Halycrusians from a stampede of mountain swine and discovers how to defeat them after a long battle.
Issues and relevancy to market
Publishers want to know why they should sell your book, and how it is relevant to the market. Basically, the groundwork to their bottom line: what is the sales success?
Example:
This series deals with subliminal social and environmental issues. The social issues are how an ordinary boy who sometimes feels insignificant in his large family is vital to the survival of Halycrusians. It also provides an opportunity to discuss current environmental issues, such as global warming, climate change ie the sun’s “life” cycle. It will also have subliminal race issues between the humans and Halycrusians and how they get resolved positively, which is inherent to children’s development.
Characters and physical descriptions
It is highly important that the market can relate to the novel’s characters. A short summary can pinpoint that easily, and also explain their roles in the novel’s climax. It should be divided between main and secondary characters.
Example:
Rudy: Scott’s best friend who is exceptionally good at building models. He built shelter on Earth for Scott to take to Halycrus and is seen as one of the most important humans harvested on Halycrus. He has light brown hair and blue eyes. He is very cautious and is the “conscience” of the group. He is slightly plump, always wears a black Red Sox cap and has asthma.
Glossary of terms
Prevent your publisher becoming confused and create a quick reference list to explain and define certain terms and places used in your novels. A bit of a mind map perhaps.
Example:
Entry Tunnels: Passageways that connect the Halycrusians’ underground home to the land above
Bejais: Halycrusians’ source of food. Jewel-like baubles the size of a marble that come in different colours. They are found in the stones scattered around Halycrus.
Chapter by chapter breakdown
One paragraph summary of each chapter, its title [if applicable] and its overall significance to the novel.
Example:
Chapter 1: The Portal
Scott’s science project is misunderstood by his family, his role as the black sheep is exemplified in this chapter. Penny yells at Scott for using her makeup as an ingredient in his project. Scott and his two best friends, Rudy and AJ, go down to wrecker’s yard after school to explore and a faint glow from the forest behind the yard catches Scott’s eye. Scott is so enthralled by the glow, trips and drops his science project. The ingredients of the project explode and create a portal to the planet “Halycrus”.
Chapter 5: Title TBD
Scott goes back through the portal and realises he has been gone for several hours. He still feels disoriented and after being questioned by his family, in particular his sister, he is sent to bed because his mother thinks he is sick. Rudy and AJ sneak up to his room and he tells them where he has been and his plans to go back to help them. AJ is excited by the idea but Rudy is apprehensive. He is sceptical Scott could do anything for them and they would rely on him too much. Scott is almost caught out trying to sneak supplies out of his house to take to Halycrus. Rudy and AJ bring some tools from their house. Rudy again asks Scott if he thinks it’s a good idea to help Halycrus and how long they would expect him to do it for. AJ dismisses Rudy, treating it as a big adventure. Scott packs a small lunch for himself because he didn’t like the bejais.
First chapter sample
Submit either the first chapter, or best chapter, or perhaps even the first three chapters that best introduce your writing to your publisher.
Manuscripts should be clean and contain enough detail to look professional and easy for the publishers, but not too messy or overloaded with information to make it look like some second grade busy work scrapbook that is destined for the ’too hard’ basket for the publishers. It’s a fine line – can you walk it?
