Guidelines
Sloppy work won’t pass muster. Yes, we provide professional editing, but that’s for a framework of material that already has the basics of good grammar, sentence structure, and flow.
- Please include your suggested title and the total word count on the title page.
- Use MS Word, double spaced, with paragraphs indented (not tabbed).
- Use a 12-point font.
- The saved version needs to be a .doc or .docx file that has only your first and last name as the file name, for example: janedoe.docx (or .doc). If you’re submitting more than one manuscript for consideration, please label as janedoe2.docx (or .doc).
- Page margins should be set to 1″ on the top, bottom, and both sides.
- Please do not use headers or footers (other than the page number as a footer).
There’s no need to send to a specific editor, as we make the assignments. If you feel you must have a salutation, “Dear Selection Committee” is fine.
Please specify the genre most closely aligned to your work. If you think it’s multi-genre material, specify those genres.
We do not accept unfinished fiction. Initially, you will send us five double-spaced pages. If we accept the work, you’ll need to have the entire manuscript finished, no exceptions.
For nonfiction, please submit a chapter-by-chapter outline with a short paragraph defining what’s in each chapter, and the fully written first chapter.
If you’re submitting material for consideration for children’s books, please don’t attach artwork unless you are, or have hired, a professional book designer.
A nice cover letter telling us why you think you’d be a good match for The Publishing Circle’s author list is appreciated, but not essential. We will at some point want to know more about you.
Write well. (It’s worth repeating.)