- Call the publishing company and ask for the name of the appropriate editor for your genre of book.
- Ask to speak to that editor. If you get through to them, summarise your proposal in a couple of sentences and ask if they'd like to see it.
- Make sure your submission is personally addressed to that person.
- The covering letter inside must not be a generic, photocopied 'Dear sir/madam'. If you've already spoken on the phone, mention it.
- If you have enough relevant experience and qualifications, include a separate C.V. Otherwise, don't bother. Leave out jobs, swimming certificates and exams that have nothing to do with your book.
- Think of a stonking title and subtitle combination, or an enticing tag line if the book is fiction.
- Schmooze with publishers at book fairs, launch parties and award ceremonies.
- Use 'friend of a friend' contacts mercilessly.
- Offer to buy a chunk of the print run.
- Prove to the publisher that you can attract publicity for yourself.
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