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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is BooksandManuscripts.com? Simply put, BooksandManuscripts.com networks authors with publishers. Our service is a cost-effective way for writers to post manuscripts into our database so that thousands of acquisition editors can review them. Most new authors soon discover that getting a manuscript in front of an acquisition editor is one of the most difficult (and frustrating) aspects of the publishing process. That's because most editors are inundated with unsolicited manuscripts that usually end up in the trashcan. BooksandManuscripts.com can save time and money by simplifying the submission process. We save time because it's much faster than a traditional mailing; we save money because you don't have to print and mail your manuscripts to hundreds of publishing houses. By posting your manuscript at BooksandManuscripts.com, you are allowing hundreds of literary agents and publishers the opportunity to view your proposal, saving both you and the publisher time and money. This is the newest and most cost-effective way for today's acquisitions editors to search for new talent because we pre-categorize the submissions. One publisher told us that he had a full-time editorial employee that only processed the rejections of unsolicited manuscripts, and another said she receives about 200 unsolicited manuscripts per day. Our service is designed to cut down on unsolicited submissions, while highlighting our authors' manuscripts by category. Our easy-to-follow form provides the quick-view manuscript format that publishers want; this assists them in browsing the proposals that pique their interest. Top of Page 2. How is BooksandManuscripts.com unique from other services? First, we are entirely web-based. We rely on the power of the Internet to connect authors with agents and publishers. This is the future of publishing. Some publishers have gone to an all-email and web posting system for accepting, editing, and processing manuscripts into books. Second, we work with all authors and all kinds of publishers. To view a partial list of the publishers who have been given user names and access codes to this site, please view our publisher list. Third, we provide added services to our authors. Our HonestEditing™ service is designed so authors can get professional evaluations from leading industry editors about their manuscript and proposal for a fraction of the cost of hiring an editor. It is proving to be an invaluable service to our members. We invite you to take a look at the service to see if it may be of benefit to you before posting your manuscript. The term "Honest Editor" means just that. You will get honest and gut-level feedback about your manuscript idea and writing style. Our recommended editors pull no punches in telling you the truth and giving concrete ways to improve your work. You can read more about the HonestEditing™ Service here. Top of Page 3. Do you get any commissions or fees from your HonestEditing Service? No. We do not receive any commissions, fees, kickbacks, favors, or benefits of any kind from the editors we recommend through our HonestEditing™ service. We have gathered a list of highly rated editors who wanted part-time work through our service and we pass the cost along to you. Our motivation for providing this information is to encourage you to seek out professional services so your manuscript is stronger and more likely to be published. We feel having a high rate of authors published through Books & Manuscripts will increase our membership -- and that's the reason we encourage membership in your local Writers' Group, as well. Top of Page 4. Do I have to use the HonestEditing™ service to post my manuscript? Not at all. Our recommended editors are self-employed professionals that help us improve the overall quality of the manuscripts in our database, but you are certainly not required to use their services in order to post your manuscript. Many writers are also editors, and feel quite confident their writing style doesn't need another pair of eyes. It's best to remember, however, "Great writers need good editors, and good writers need great editors." We believe that all writers need at least some editing. This is why we recommend Writers' Groups in your area -- and if that's still not a possibility for you -- we recommend a few online-only writing groups. It's important to get your work in front of a few impartial eyes. Top of Page 5. How do I get my manuscript posted at BooksandManuscripts.com? By clicking on "Sign Up and Submit Today," you will be taken to the posting page and instructed on how to add your manuscript to our database. The form will ask for your contact information and shows you how to complete your proposal. You will need to fill in the required fields and submit a synopsis. We also need a writing sample from your work -- most often two or three of the strongest chapters in your manuscript. Click here to Sign Up and Submit Today. Top of Page 6. How much does it cost to post my manuscript at BooksandManuscripts.com? The price for a three month (90 day) listing is $39.95. A six month listing is $59.95. You can save even more by signing up for an annual membership for $99.95. That's less than printing out and paying the postage to mail your manuscript to several publishers. And through our service you will have exposure to dozens of interested publishers. Plus, you won't need to "guess" which publishers might be interested in your manuscript. Publishers can choose a category or several categories to browse through to find what THEY are looking for. Your chance of being seen by the RIGHT publisher is increased. Top of Page 7. What guarantee do I have that a publisher will contact me? There is no guarantee that a publisher will contact you. We do the best we can to connect hundreds of publishers with thousands of writers, but there are many variables to consider:
Remember: don't be discouraged. Thousands of new authors are published each year. Until now, there have been few ways for new authors to successfully get their proposal in front of publishers. Literary agents have access codes to our service, as well. If you did not indicate that you currently have a literary agent, you may be contacted by an agent who wants to present your work to a potential publisher. Another way to improve your chances is to sign up for our HonestEditing™ editorial evaluation service. What you will receive is a detailed content evaluation from one of our professional editors, showing you how your manuscript and proposal can be improved to enhance your chances of being noticed by publishers. BooksandManuscripts.com is not a literary agency or a publisher. We do not receive fees or kickbacks from agents, publishers, or editors. We are a networking service that provides a connection between authors and agents, publishers, and editors. The best way to attract a publisher or agent is to have a well-polished proposal and a great idea for a book. Top of Page 8. Why do I only need to post two or three chapters and a summary description? Acquisition editors are very busy people. When browsing for new manuscripts, they want brief descriptions and short samples of writing style. After reading your summary and a few pages, they will decide whether or not to contact you for the entire manuscript. The more concise (and clever) you can make your summary description, the better. Remember that you are competing against thousands of other proposals -- make your work stand out. Top of Page 9. Are publishers even looking for new fiction writers anymore? Absolutely. No one knows where the next John Grisham, Steven King, or Peter Lawhead might be hiding. Some large publishing houses will state that they "are not accepting any new fiction manuscripts at this time." This is often code for "We don't want unsolicited stuff from mediocre writers!" They will often be looking for new fiction writers, but they want to do it on their own terms. They will accept writers from accepted sources, like trusted agents, friends in other publishing houses, recommendations from news sources, and services like Books & Manuscripts. Top of Page 10. Are literary agents also invited to view these proposals? Yes. Literary agents are also looking for new talent and we invite them to view these proposals and contact the author if the author has not specified they already have an agent. Good literary agents can be vital to your ultimate success with a publisher. A note about literary agents: please be aware that there are some unscrupulous agents who will take your money up front and do nothing to help you. Be sure to ask an agent for his/her current author line-up and for permission to contact their clients for references. We cannot police the list of literary agents who access our website, and we recommend that you ask for a detailed list of clients so you can decide whether you want to utilize their services. You should also browse the agent's website to see their references. If someone claims to be a highly respected literary agent but they don't even have a website, you can bet that they aren't really highly respected! If you want our recommendations on literary agents, we have a list of respected agencies on this page. Top of Page 11. Can I submit my entry by mailing my manuscript to BooksandManuscripts.com? No. Sorry, but we only accept digital submissions. We are a web-based service and today's tech-savvy editors and publishers are relying more and more on the Internet and computer technology to research, browse, process, and contract with authors. Top of Page 12. If I don't get a query from a publisher, can I get a refund? Sorry, we cannot offer refunds if you don't get a query. Just like the post office won't refund your money for the costs of printing and mailing your manuscript to publishers, we have fixed costs too. We don't have control over whether you will receive an inquiry from a publisher, but we do offer a discount if you decide to renew after your subscription period has ended. We offer refunds if we refuse your manuscript based on our terms of service. The following are some reasons why we may refuse to post your proposal:
Top of Page 13. Can I submit a proposal for a book I previously self-published? Of course! You may have a great idea for a book you've already published that you now realize needs a traditional publisher in order to get the marketing and distribution clout it deserves. Be aware that a publisher will want to start from scratch with new editing, cover design, ISBN, and perhaps even a new title for your book. Top of Page 14. How should I submit a children's book that's just a few pages with illustrations? The submittal form will work fine for you. At the bottom of the form, instead of submitting only two chapters, upload your entire manuscript. You can also upload sample illustrations (recommended for children's books), give a detailed description of your illustrations, information about your illustrator, and other supplemental information. If you are not working with an illustrator, send a description of your ideas on how the book could be illustrated. Top of Page 15. What about subsidy publishers, POD printers, and self-publishing companies? While some authors have been very successful with companies that help them self-publish, many authors simply wind up with a few hundred books shrink-wrapped in their garage. Self-publishing is like the Internet itself: it's neither good nor bad. Some authors only want a few hundred copies for their own use -- or if they want to control the cover, editing, font, title (and they don't care about distribution) -- then self-publishing might be the perfect avenue for them. When you register with our service, there is a "yes or no" box where you can choose to include or exclude "self-publishing" companies and Print-on-demand (POD) Printers. You may also try limiting your proposal to traditional publishers (you can change your preferences at any time). Top of Page 16. Can I pay with my credit card? Yes. Credit cards are the easiest and most common way we accept payment and it is part of the step-by-step process when you submit your proposal. Top of Page 17. How soon will my proposal be posted after I fill out the form? After you submit your proposal and fill out the payment information, our staff must review your proposal before we will post it on the web. (We will perform a cursory check to eliminate pornographic or hate material.) Your proposal is usually posted within 24 hours after it is submitted to BooksandManuscripts.com. The "clock starts ticking" when we turn on your manuscript, not when you submit it. Top of Page 18. How do I edit errors or changes needed in my proposal, once posted? It's easy. There is an "edit" button beside each segment of your proposal. By clicking the edit button, you can make real-time changes to anything in the proposal or sample chapters. Top of Page 19. I am worried someone might steal the book idea in my proposal. How can I avoid this? This is a common question. There are three simple things to remember:
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