Q: I've got a great manuscript but I don't know how to go about publishing it. What should I do?

A: There are several ways to pursue publication. Some people choose the self-publishing route and I know a few people who have done it successfully. It can be expensive and distribution and publication are pretty much up to the writer. Quality of printing often varies as well. That's not to say that it can't work.

You can also try to find a publisher. Some publishers will not accept unsolicited or unrepresented work, some will. It's up to you to do your homework and find out who will accept what and to discover exactly how they expect you to submit your manuscript. You'd be surprised at the number of people who submit children's picture books to publishers that only publish adult mysteries. Check out THE WRITER'S MARKET, or websites that list publisher info. Follow the specific guidelines mentioned for each publisher. Some require that you first submit a query letter, others don't. Learn to follow directions. Publishers get so many manuscripts every day that it would make you dizzy to think of the sheer numbers. If you want yours to be read, you have to make sure you submit it in the appropriate way. Think of it this way: If you were given one-hundred full length manuscripts to read in a few days' time, would you bother with the ones that don't follow submission guidelines? If it were me, those would be the first ones out the door.

It will help you tremendously to join a writer's organization. I'm a member of SCBWI, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I really enjoy the online access and the newsletter. They give me new ideas and different perspectives plus some awfully good advice. Pick a writer's organization or critique group that appeals to you. You'll be amazed at how much you'll benefit. Also, start attending workshops and conferences. There you can get manuscript critiques, as well as advice and helpful information from agents, editors, authors, and other industry professionals. Organizations and conferences often provide competitions where you can stand out from the crowd. Some writers pulled from these competitions have gone on to publish professionally.
I think I mentioned that many publishers won't accept unsolicited or unrepresented work. So how do you get past that? Well, you can request their submission requirements, write a query, and then with a little luck, you'll be asked to submit a manuscript. Some houses work this way. Others require agent representation. See the next question to find out how that works.


If you're still not satisfied, drop a line to writers@melindalongbooks.com. Due to the volume of inquiries I receive, I cannot respond to each question, but do get to as many as is possible in a timely manner. And, of course, thanks for your interest!