Checklist for Submissions

(As compiled by the Buried Editor)

Cover Letter:

Correct Editor/Agent Name and spelled correctly

Correct Publishing House/Agency and spelled correctly

Correct Address/Email address

Formal salutation

Introductory paragraph providing context (why you are submitting, where you met editor, etc.)

Pitch paragraph(s)

Title of manuscript

Manuscript’s genre

Age range for manuscript

Summary of manuscript

Series paragraph (optional)

Title of series

Projected number of books in series

Biography paragraph

Publishing experience

Relevant education

Trade organization memberships (SCBWI, etc.)

Thank you for allowing submission/Request to send manuscript if a query

Signature

Your correct contact information

Email

Phone

Website

Blog

Address

Proofread letter

Spell-check

Have someone else read & critique letter

Professionalism

Coherence

Interesting portrayal of pitch paragraph(s)

Manuscript:

Formatted Properly

If printed or attached as document:

Double spaced

12 point font (Arial, Times)

1 inch margins

Paginated

Last name and manuscript title on every page (use header/footer function)

White paper/black type

If included in body of email:

Single spaced

Double spaced between paragraphs

No tabs

Standard font and sizes

Black type

Contains title and pen name if different from author

Does not contain strange page breaks or break text up into specific pages (especially important for picture books)

Gripping beginning

Compelling middle

Conclusive end

Good strong characters

Shows not tells

Consistent internal logic throughout story

Manuscript has been proofread

Manuscript has been critiqued

Manuscript has been revised

Manuscript has been sitting on your computer long enough and just needs to make its way into the world now. What are you waiting for? Send it!