Hello! Let me start by introducing myself. I am Marla, the other half of Silver Rose Press. You’ve already met Debi, so I’ll tell you a little about my background. I am a USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, have published over fifty books under various pen names, and I have been editing for over ten years. When Debi asked me to join her in this new venture we call Silver Rose Press, I immediately agreed. I am Co-Owner, Acquisitions Editor and Managing Editor for our new press. So, I’ll be the one reading your manuscript when you submit it. For now, as we are getting our company off the ground, I’ll be doing all the editing as well.
One of the questions I get asked as an editor and that I speak about at many conferences is, “When is my book ready to submit?”
First: let me say this: NEVER submit your first draft. Believe me, the editor can tell! What I advise authors to do is set your manuscript aside for a few days, or even a few weeks, once you’ve finished the first draft. Then, when your mind and eyes are fresh, go over it again.
Next: Read it from a writer’s point of view. You’ll be surprised how many things you’ll want to change or tweak. Set it aside again.
Next: When you go back to it this time, you’ll read it from an editor’s point of view. Again, you will find things you missed before. Once more, you need to set it aside. Catch up on that housework you let go while you were furiously writing your wonderful novel.
Read someone else’s book, go shopping, do whatever you do for a break. Maybe catch up on all that sleep you missed!
Finally, you’re ready to go over your baby the third time. Only, this time, you’re going to read it from a READER’S point of view. That’s right! You’re going to pretend it’s someone else’s book. You might find yourself saying, “Wow, did I write this? It’s really good”; Or, you might say, “This really needs some work!”
If you think it needs more work, don't be afraid to make those changes you feel it needs. If you’re happy with it, you’re ready to submit it. Remember, you always want to submit the most perfect, polished manuscript that you are capable of producing. I’ve seen some real messes, believe me. I’ve also seen great manuscripts come in. You want yours to be one of those great ones!
I usually tell authors to format the book using one inch margins and 12 pt. Times New Roman font. Place page breaks between chapters. New authors don’t always know all the tricks to formatting, though, so that’s not a must. It does make for a cleaner manuscript and is a plus for the acquisitions editor to be able to read it easily. You want to make the best impression possible with your baby you’ve worked on for so long.
With all that being said, once you feel your book is ready to leave your hands, don’t be afraid to submit it!
Until next time, happy writing and I hope to be reading your manuscript soon!