Publishing Tips

Most advice dictates that your manuscript submission should be sent off to editors or agents using the fonts they request. Arial or New Times Roman tend to be the most commonplace.

However, agents and editors genuinely love to hear the thoughts of writers who disregard all conventional formatting rules. Think about it. This sets you apart from the rest of the "slush" pile. You are unique. You are interesting. 

Here are a couple of fun fonts to try out when sending your writing in:

Comic Sans: This font is fun and playful. The word "comic" is in it. 

Courier New: Generally you'll see this font used in screenplays, however it has a serious perk when it comes to full length novel manuscripts. It makes your work appear longer. Use Courier New if you think your page count is low. Agents and editors like longer books. 

Wingdings: Using this font, you can make your manuscript into a fun game. What do the wingdings mean? Can the agent figure it out, without changing the font in Word? Editors enjoy these kind of exciting activities. They help break up the day. 

Impact: Mostly spotted on "meme" images, using this font will trick most editors into thinking your work, much like "meme" images, is already quite popular. Use terms like LOL, WUT, NOM, and OMG throughout. 

Blurbs are very important. They let other people know that other people think your book is great. 

But if you're having a hard time getting a blurb for your book from other people, fret not. If you believe in your book enough, you can blurb yourself.

There is a popular saying that goes something along the lines of "you are your own worst critic." This is true! Which means if you like your book enough to write your own blurb, well, it must be excellent. 

Here are a few examples to model your self-blurb off of:

"This is the greatest book I have ever written." Good. Simple, short and to the point. 

"This book made me laugh and made me cry, and that was just while writing it!" In this example, you are being funny. 

"My mom took my book and hung it up on the fridge, that's how good it was." This is an excellent approach. Everyone knows that things stuck to appliances with magnets are brilliant masterworks.

When engaging on social media, whether you're a publisher or an author, it's incredibly important to use hashtags. And not just two or three, but as many hashtags as humanly possible.

See, promoting a book on social media is easy. But appearing savvy... social media experts will tell you that is just as important. 

In fact, in a recent study, it was discovered that the less readable your updates are, the more social media savvy you'll appear. If at all possible, approximately 93% of your social media updates should be comprised entirely of hashtags. 

Here are two excellent examples:

Twitter: @PublishingTips: When #writing or #editing it is #important to #remember to use #hashtags. #amwriting #amreading #amediting #books

Instagram: Out writing. #coffee #writing #book #books #amwriting #cafes #coffeeshops #java #caffeine #internet #laptop #digital #table #sky #blue #starbucks #freewifi #thereisfreewifihere #wifi #author #writer *

* Note: In this example, you might have taken a photo sitting in a coffee shop, near a window on a sunny day, with your laptop angled perfectly to show off your blank screen, keyboard, and cup of coffee.

When you think about the volume of submissions a typical publishing house or literary agency receives, it can feel... well, a little scary. How are you going to stick out from the rest of the manuscripts piling up on the desks of agents and editors everywhere?  

Easy. Add a little sparkle.

In addition to your full manuscript, make sure you add some flair. To quote Tobias Funke from Arrested Development, it's important to "fill each one of these bags with some glitter, [a] photo resume, some candy, and a note."

You can also add other items to the submission, to really get your future agent or editor excited. 

Money.

A photo of their home and/or loved ones.

Very small rocks.

Keys. To what? Don't tell them! Make it a mystery.

Starbucks gift cards.

Jewelry. 

Delicious snacks and dipping sauces. 

Another envelope that has another envelope inside, much like Russian nesting dolls. Inside the final, smallest one, leave a tiny letter that says "the gift was inside you all along." They'll know what it means.