Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript [Paperback]

Editors of Writer's Digest Books (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1582972907 | ISBN-13: 978-1582972909 | Publication Date: May 21, 2004 | Edition: 2

Building on the success of the first edition of Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, Laufenberg offers an updated, easy-to-use guide in the same successful format as the original. She includes dozens of brand new examples and samples, along with comprehensive information every writer needs to know to create professional, stand-out manuscripts, query letters, proposals, cover letters, outlines, synopses, etc and thus enhance their chances of being published, whatever they write. The more than 100 samples feature 'callouts' that clearly identify and explain the important elements of queries and proposals good and bad. From specific fiction genres to nonfiction books to picture books and poetry, this comprehensive guide provides crucial information for any writer hoping to be published.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cynthia Laufenberg is a freelance writer and editor and former managing editor at Writer's Digest Books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; 2 edition (May 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582972907
• ISBN-13: 978-1582972909
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,072 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential for Novice Writers, January 26, 2006

By 

Antonio D. Paolucci "Collector of Entertainment" (Beaver Falls, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript (Paperback)

Before I even started thinking about writing (I just sent out my first manuscript a few days before writing this), I wanted to be sure I was at least as professional as possible. Writing courses are good, but there are things that writing courses don't teach (i.e. taxes or, sometimes, how better to prepare manuscripts), and usually it's the more professional points. They teach how best to write, but not how best to get published.

Luckily, there are books out there that aid in this aspect of writing, and Formatting & Submitting You Manuscripts is one of the keystone books. This book teaches every aspect of submissions, including requesting writer's guidelines, query letters, cover letters, and manuscript format. Each chapter is designated to one specific form of manuscript, i.e. novels, essays, screenplays, short stories, etc. and has full page examples of what to do along with examples of what not to do. It also has an appendix that helps in dealing with the legal side of writing, and how best to prevent plagiarism.

Though I don't like it when writing related books are large, in this case I think it's important. There is nothing more important to an editor to have a professionally printed manuscript, and many say that a good looking manuscript makes it a lot easier to choose a manuscript. The examples in this book are essential, making this a book easily referenced in case of emergencies. I recommend this to all up-and-coming writers, and when you do get it keep it as close as you do your dictionary and thesaurus.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Add this one to your writer's bookshelf, May 26, 2006

By 

Gregory A. Kompes "Author of 50 Fabulous Gay-... (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript (Paperback)

Cynthia Laufenberg may not know it, but she's my new best friend because of her book Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript. This text is a gem and should be added to everyone's writer's bookshelf.

Ms. Laufenberg and the Editors of Writer's Digest Books provide suggestions and examples of how to format and submit just about everything a writer comes in contact with. The examples range from query letters and cover letters to the vast array of manuscript types including articles, book proposals, nonfiction and fiction books, screenplays, TV scripts, play scripts, greeting cards and poetry.

Each letter or document example includes callouts and sidebar notes that explain why certain pieces of information go where they go and helpful advice and tidbits of information.

While some of these submission formatting ideas are only suggestions (you'll want to follow the specific guidelines for each individual company, publisher, or agent you submit to), is perhaps the single most complete resource for understanding the basics of formatting and submissions.

If you add only one book to your own writer's bookshelf this year it should be Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any writer aspiring to publication, January 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript (Paperback)

Create appropriate, notable submissions for publication, from proposals and cover letters to complete manuscripts, using Cynthia Laufenberg's Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, an invaluable informational guide for prospective authors seeking publication. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript is a 'must' for any writer aspiring to publication. Especially valuable are the tips on common mistakes made in the usual submission, whether it be the initial query letter or the completed work.