One of my roles as an editor with a small traditional press is reviewing submissions—and like most publishers, we receive a lot of them. Sometimes dozens a week. Sometimes hundreds.
Because we’re a small press, most of what we receive is unsolicited. That simply means the author doesn’t have an agent submitting on their behalf.
That’s not a disadvantage.
Publishing is subjective. A strong manuscript can circulate for years before finding the right fit. Sometimes it’s not about quality—it’s about timing, list needs, personal editor wants, or market direction.
What unsolicited submissions do reveal, though, is range. Some writers are polished and ready. Others are still developing their work.
“Ready to publish” doesn’t mean perfect. It means you understand your genre and your audience—and your manuscript is as close to finished as you can realistically make it.
If you’re planning to query a traditional publisher, here are a few things that will immediately set you apart.
Tip 1 – Do Your Research
Before you hit send, spend time on the publisher’s or agent’s website.
Make sure they actually publish what you’ve written.
It sounds obvious, but it happens constantly—writers submit a YA novel to a press that doesn’t publish YA, or a memoir to a house that only acquires genre fiction.
That kind of mismatch usually results in an automatic rejection.
A few minutes of research can save you weeks—or months—of waiting.
Tip 2 – Follow Submission Guidelines (Exactly)
Every publisher and agent has specific submission requirements.
Page counts. Formatting. What to include in the query. Whether they want sample pages pasted or attached.
These aren’t suggestions.
Not following directions can result in your submission being rejected without being read. And yes, that still happens.
Think of it this way: your submission package is your first demonstration that you’re professional and easy to work with.
Tip 3 – Understand Simultaneous Submissions
Most publishers today do accept simultaneous submissions, but you need to check.
If a publisher requests exclusivity, respect that.
If they allow simultaneous submissions, be transparent and professional. If your manuscript is accepted elsewhere, notify anyone else considering it right away.
Publishing is a small industry. Professionalism matters more than you think.
Tip 4 – Present Yourself as a Professional
You’re not just submitting a manuscript—you’re entering a business relationship.
Your tone, your email, your query letter—all of it reflects how you’ll be to work with.
You don’t need to be overly formal. But you do need to be clear, respectful, and concise.
A strong, straightforward query will always stand out more than one trying too hard to impress.
Tip 5 – Submit Your Best Work (Not Your First Draft)
This is the one that matters most.
Finishing a manuscript is an accomplishment. But finishing is not the same as being ready to submit.
Before querying:
- Revise your manuscript—more than once
- Have someone you trust read it (someone honest, not just supportive)
- Pay attention to consistency, clarity, and structure
Basic errors—like inconsistent character names or missing punctuation—signal that the manuscript isn’t ready.
Agents and editors want to say yes. But the manuscript has to meet them there.
Final Thoughts
Publishing is, and always will be, subjective.
A rejection doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of your work. It might mean your manuscript isn’t the right fit for that publisher—or not the right fit right now.
Or it might mean you still have work to do.
Either way, keep going.
Revise. Submit. Repeat.
That’s the process.