Submission secrets · 5 of 8

Gimmicks

Submissions are often made to publishers in a gimmicky way. I've seen a proposal written on a scroll wrapped up in a cardboard tube, submissions printed on expensive coloured paper (a gold cover page is the worst offender), and ideas for books packaged with ribbons and bows. Needless to say, all were rejected.

You might think a gimmick is an effective way to get noticed in the slush pile – it will get your proposal noticed, but for the wrong reasons. Most editors will sigh at the sight of coloured paper and fancy packaging. They know from experience that authors who wrap their manuscript submission in such a decorative way are, either consciously or unconsciously, trying to divert attention from weaknesses in their writing. Such attempts have never worked and never will. Keep your proposal looking professional, and that means print it on standard 80gsm white paper. If you need to bind a few pages, use a staple in the top corner. If there are more pages than a stapler can manage, bind them in a simple and plain way that won't attract attention.

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