What do you want to know?

1. What should I expect from my advance submission reader?

Everybody wants an agent. A tendency for many writers is to believe that their recently completed manuscript is polished enough to warrant professional consideration by an agent or house editor. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case.

Because so many writers work in isolation, devoid of empirically qualified, critical feedback of their material, too often the book submitted is far from ready. Many feel discouraged by the propensity of agents to simply reject their material without providing definitive solutions to making the book a title that they would otherwise agree to handle.

What's important is to understand the agent's job: selling books is the agent's livelihood. While there are exceptions, the bulk of agents merely react to material submitted for one-on-one. For them the only question is, "Can I sell this book or not?" Their job is not supposed to be troubleshooting lackluster or problematic aspects of execution. And the fact is, many simply are not qualified to do so so don't expect them to.

Keeping that in mind, take into account when choosing your reader(s) that the bulk of the over $3 million worth of first-time author book and screen success facilitated by the SCWC has come not from the agents on board, but from the authors. It is the working writers who are steeped in the realities of the publishing world from the writers' side of things. And it is far more often only the working writers that can troubleshoot material in a thoughtful, substantive and communicative manner, help find solutions and even shepherd manuscripts to industry contacts.

Submit to as many agents as you wish, but don't dismiss the staff authors accepting advance submissions simply because you think they'll have less value in getting you published. Reality is, it's usually the other way around.

2. Who can submit manuscript pages prior to the conference?

Advance submission of manuscript pages for evaluation prior to the conference, followed by one-on-one consultation with the reader(s) of your choice during the event is available only to Full Conference or Saturday/Sunday registered conferees.

3. How do I choose more than one reader?

On the registration form select all the readers that you wish to submit to under the "first choice" column. In the "second choice" column select any readers you wish your pages to go to in the event one of the readers in the first column becomes unavailable. Think of the second column as being only for emergency backup.

Multiply the number of readers selected in the "first choice" column by $50.00 and add the figure to your Full Conference or Saturday/Sunday Conference registration fee.

4. What should be included in my submission?

Unless otherwise noted, you may submit up to the first 20 pages of your manuscript, in standard professional submission format. A cover letter and brief synopsis (for fiction and narrative nonfiction) may also be included, but does not count as part of your first 20 pages.

5. Can I submit pages from the middle of my book?

No. Regardless of how exceptional material may be after page 20, no readers will ever discover it because of their inability to get beyond lackluster, problematic or downright sucky opening pages.

6. What is the "proper format" of manuscript pages?

Proper professional submission format consists of double-spaced sentences in a size 12 Courier font, printed on a single-side sheet with an approximate 1" margin all the way around. Printing on both sides of a sheet is unacceptable, and manuscript pages extending beyond page 20 may be discarded. Here is an example of proper submission format pages for reference.

It should be noted that with Times New Roman set as the default font on most word processors it has become increasingly acceptable to submit pages in Times New Roman. Be mindful, however, that some readers cite the use of that font as the mark of an amateur writer lacking an insight or respect for professional publishing standards.

7. Should I include a cover letter?

While not mandatory for advance submission feedback, a cover letter is recommended if for no other reason than to apprise the reader of what genre the pages s/he will be reading is and provide a thumbnail understanding about what the story is about.

The last thing anybody wants is to submit a contemporary dark thriller, the execution of which leads the reader to believe is a comedic fantasy. (It's happened!)

8. Should I include a synopsis?

The inclusion of a synopsis is up to you. If you've got a polished 1- or 2-page synopsis it never hurts to include it. However, writing a great synopsis is an art unto itself and the bane of many authors. Afterall, if you could've written your book in 1 or 2 pages, you wouldn't have wasted so much time with the other 300!

In our estimates, submitting a poorly executed synopsis is worse than submitting no synopsis at all as it may serve to undermine readers' confidence in the author's manuscript pages. Proceed with care. Here is an approach and example of a synopsis for reference.

9. Is my cover letter and/or synopsis considered part of my page count?

No. Cover letters and synopses do not figure into the count of your first 20 pages.

10. Where do I send my advance submission?

Address your submission(s) package to the SCWC, 1010 University Avenue, #54, San Diego, CA 92103.

11. Can I place multiple submissions in one envelope?

Yes. Including multiple submissions in one envelope is encouraged and will naturally reduce your cost of mailing submissions.

12. Do you accept submissions via email?

No. The SCWC does not accept advance submissions via email.

13. What is the deadline for submitting?

Deadline for the SCWC*San Diego is Jan. 12, 2008, excluding readers who have indicated otherwise. Advance submission material must be received by the deadline. No exceptions.

14. What if I need help choosing a reader?

If you need guidance choosing a reader, feel free to contact SCWC Executive Director Michael Steven Gregory or SCWC Director Wes Albers via email or phone.