I mean, I have gotten the same thing from everyone about submission standards: if they aren't perfect, they get rejected. The only problem with this, is that everyone who writes the 'definitive' way to format a manuscript contradicts everyone else.

e.g. some people like manuscripts papercliped, some say that's unprofessional. Some like manuscripts to have a rubber-band, some say that's a hassle. Some say that no binding at all is the best way, some say they won't accept free-floating pages.

I am just so confused.

Now I realize that many places are very specific on how they like to receive manuscripts, but they are never THAT specific. And almost everyone tells me that it is the simple things that can make or break your first impression.

So that's that. I guess I am just venting, since I don't really know what any of you could do about it

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if {manuscripts} aren't perfect, they get rejected.

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A myth.

Yes, there are no standards, per se, but the key is "readable."

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the simple things...can make or break your first impression.

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Yes, agents and editors prefer to work with a professional. Coffee stains on a manuscript, single spacing throughout or--worse--a handwritten manuscript--etc., may very well prejudice them against reading your manuscript, no doubt about it. Yet even then there are stories...but why chance it? What writer needs more hurdles with the odds already against him? But the agents/editors/readers don't sit there with rulers measuring margins or counting the number of lines a writer dropped down from the top. They're in the business and know the conflicting information that is out there.

Although none of them mentioned loose or attached pages, if practicality that makes it easier for the editor to mark the manuscript is the key (and in my own experience, I've never come across anyone wanting bound pages, for what that's worth), loose pages win--unless the agent or editor specifies differently in places like Writer's Market. From the above, though, I would gather that even a misapplied paperclip won't disqualify you.

So bottom line, a manuscript should be:
Your best work
Readable
Professionally researched as to any preferences of the particular agent or editor

Sounds like in that order, too.

[This message has been edited by Kolona (edited September 25, 2002).]

I really got a lot out of this session! She contradicted a lot of things I've seen written about agents and agency submissions, especially about following the recommendations in books such as Writer's Market. For example, many agency listings say to send a query letter only, nothing else. Katharine said you should ALWAYS send a couple of chapters, otherwise, what is there to judge? They aren't representing you as a query letter writer! Also, these letters are just sorted by an assistant...if she doesn't see anything to review with them, she'll just fire off the stock "thanks but no thanks" letter. Unless you send something that the assistant can review and decide to put on an agent's desk, you may as well be sending queries into the void.

I learned a whole lot more, but don't want to clog space on this board. The greatest value of the visit was the chance to chat with the agent herself and put a couple of chapters into her hands (per request). That was worth the $40 odd bucks right there!

Hildy,
Katherine Sands was one of the agents in Columbus, too, and I got a lot from her as well. However, some caveats may be in order.

Perhaps because her agency handles a broad range of categories--home arts like lifestyle, cookbooks and home design; nonfiction, including popular culture, entertainment and personal growth; fiction; and a small host of eclectic categories--she advised a decidedly less business-like approach. She welcomed attention-getters like using different-colored paper, sending gifts (she loves flowers and candy), and spoke about a number of other odd approaches. The other agents didn't echo her, I noticed.

As far as sending a couple chapters with each query, she may have something. I guess that's a call all of us have to make.

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You may even want to call the office ahead of time and ask for their most current and specific submission requirements.

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nothing is written in stone. Just do your best work and submit it as professionally as possible. Don't let the marketing side of this business keep you from submitting

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Just be patient, brah. Nathaniel Hawthrone didn't become popular until he died and was never able to make a living from writing. And that guy was harsh. Ok, not the happiest thought, but you get my point.

Spend the money for the postage and ask for their guides. It's your best bet. If you seek out the few who say something different than the norm and use it as your excuse to do something odd, you will pile up a whole bunch of rejections. Get yourself a book on formatting. Formatting and Submitting your manuscript from writers digest books is a great one. It is the industry standard.

Yes, there are those who aren’t going to care, or like the odd stuff---- but you can’t go wrong with using a standard reference. It’s ok if you do some things out of the norm. I use a tag line myself, something humorous.

But pay attention to the guidelines of each agency or publisher, if they say query only, then follow it. If they say send 75 pages, then do so.

Oh and the only thing that should go in a binding is a script.