Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Your Manuscript Writing is not a creative process only and not professional voyage only. It has taken you months (or years) to slave as a writer in order to have your book, or article. Nevertheless, all the efforts may be spoiled by a minor negligence when you need to submit it to a publishing house, agency or a journal.
Manuscript submission is not just a process of sending an email – it is a step that can make or break your career. That is why it is very important that you take this process seriously and avoid common but dangerous mistakes.
So let’s know about the top 10 mistakes that you should avoid while submitting a manuscript, so that your writing reaches the right hands and you can take a strong step towards publication.
Submitting the manuscript without reading the instructions
This is the most common and the most dangerous mistake. Every publisher, agency or journal has its own submission guidelines – font size, spacing, word count, file format, cover letter etc.
Mistake: Writers send their file directly without reading the guidelines.
Prevention: First go to the website and read the submission guidelines carefully and fulfill every condition. This will create a professional image of you.
Ignoring the cover letter
Cover letter is not just a formality. It is your first introduction. If you do not pay attention, the editor can reject you without even reaching your manuscript.
Mistake: Writers send generic cover letters without a cover letter or copy-pasted.
Prevention: Prepare a personal and concise cover letter, which clearly shows your writing style, topic and expectations from the publication.
Submitting incomplete or unedited manuscript
Some writers in a hurry submit their manuscript without proofreading it for the last time.
Mistake: Typos, grammatical errors, plot errors or unnecessary repetitions.
Prevention: Read the manuscript at least twice before submitting or get it reviewed by a trusted person (editor or writer friend).
Submitting to the wrong place
Not every publisher accepts every subject or genre.
Mistake: Sending a fiction manuscript to a non-fiction specialized agency, or a Hindi article to an English blog.
Prevention: Research whether your genre and subject match the preferences of that publication.
Submitting to multiple places simultaneously (when prohibited)
Other publishers do not accept simultaneous submissions i.e. you cannot send your manuscript to more than one place at the same time.
Error: One must remember not to send it to more than one place at a time and the same mistake leads to disaster that may later on appear as lacking credibility.
Prevention: Read this condition clearly. Even if it is allowed, inform all places that you have submitted it to other places as well.
Wrong name and format of manuscript
Many times authors send the file with names like “final draft”, “mybook”, “untitled”, which creates confusion.
Mistake: Keeping the file name unclear, sending in wrong format (.pages or .pdf instead of .doc).
Safety: Keep the file name clear like AuthorName_Title.docx and always send in the format suggested in the guidelines.
Making self-praising or unjustified claims
It is better to let your work speak for you
Mistake: Claims like “This will be a bestseller”, “I am the next Chetan Bhagat”, “You will make a mistake by not publishing this”.
Mistake: Use polite language, be professional and highlight your experience, style and potential reader interest.
Not adding an author bio or bio
Publishers want to know about you – who you are, what you have written before, and why your voice is special.
Mistake: Sending emails without an author bio.
Defense: Use a brief, 2-3 paragraph author bio that highlights your academic or literary background.
Rushing for a response
You sent the manuscript and after 2 weeks you are emailing – “No response?”
Mistake: Sending repeated emails, following up angrily.
Prevention: Every publication has a response period – from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Be patient and follow up politely after the stipulated time.
Taking rejection personally
Rejection is common in the publishing world. It reflects their requirements, not the quality of your writing.
Mistake: Getting frustrated and stopping writing or writing abusive words to the editor.
Prevention: Take every rejection as a lesson, accept the feedback and try better. The more you improve, the closer success will come.
Conclusion
One of the criteria of a good writer is to be one who writes good words as well as knowing how to present his works in a professional view. Precautions taken during the submission of a manuscript will make you a successful writer, in addition to making you a serious writer.
