You never get a second chance to make a first impression so it is vital that what you submit is sent to the right person, at the right time in your writing development, and at a time when they are ready to receive it. Alison Baverstock, who has extensive experience of the book trade both as a publisher and author, looks at the various players involved in the submission process and the key questions to ask yourself before submitting work. There are also some helpful tips on how not to do it plus the template for an effective submission letter.

Alison Baverstock worked in publishing for many years and has written extensively about the industry from both publisher and author's point of view. She is the author of Marketing your book, an author’s guide and How to market books, which is commonly referred to as the 'bible' of book marketing, as well as the bestselling Is there a book in you? which examines the resources writers need to get published. She is Course Leader for the MA in Publishing at Kingston University and in 2008 won the Pandora Prize awarded annually to a woman who has made a significant contribution to the publishing industry.

http://www.alisonbaverstock.com/

This briefing sheet is based on a seminar delivered for the literature development organization Spread the Word in April 2010.

The Writer’s Compass Briefings - ‘how to’ factsheets to support the creative and
business aspects of being a writer

Other titles cover online marketing, time management, fundraising for projects, the creative art of blogging, creative co-mentoring, writing and regeneration, and marketing for authors.