Submitting your manuscript—whether to traditional or hybrid publishers—can be a daunting process for authors, which is why we are going to give you the inside scoop on how the submission process works and what publishers look for in a manuscript.

Traditional Publishing

How do I submit my manuscript to a traditional publisher?

There are so many authors seeking publication that it would be virtually impossible for editors to read every manuscript if they were all submitted to the publishing house directly. That is why traditional publishers—at least the larger houses—usually receive manuscript submissions from literary agents.

They do, however, have a “slush pile,” which is what they call the stack of submissions that come directly from authors without agents. Even though it sometimes happens, it’s extremely rare for publishers to pluck something from the slush pile, so if you’re seeking publication with a traditional publisher, you’ll want to first submit a query letter to an agent.

What is a query letter?

A query letter is essentially a cover letter that you send to an agent whom you’re interested in working with. They will never even read your manuscript if the letter doesn’t pique their curiosity. You only have one shot to get your foot in the door, so take the time to make your letter sing.

For a closer look at the dos and don’ts of writing a query letter, see “Query Letter Resources” on Greenleaf Book Group’s Learning Center.

After receiving a manuscript, how does a traditional publisher decide whether to offer a contract?

At a traditional house, if an editor receives a manuscript that they really love, they have to pitch it internally to marketing, sales, publicity, and their other invested colleagues. Even when an editor loves an author’s writing, there is no guarantee the publisher will offer a contract because there are many other factors that determine whether a manuscript gets picked up or rejected. Sales might know that, for instance, cozy mysteries are currently tanking in the marketplace. Or marketing will say there’s just not enough author platform or audience reach to build upon.

However, if everyone is on board with the project, then the editor gets the go-ahead to begin contract negotiations with the author’s literary agent or, in rare cases, the author themself. (This is where authors can get taken advantage of if they’re not careful, so hire legal representation to review any contracts.)

If all goes well, the agent and author will agree to all of the terms, and the author is now on their way to getting published!

Hybrid Publishing

What is the difference between a hybrid publisher and a traditional publisher?

Traditional publishers maintain most of the creative control over a project and keep the majority of the royalties. Hybrid publishers, like Greenleaf Book Group, offer benefits of self-publishing, like control and ownership, with the distribution power and quality of traditional houses. Most hybrids require authors to pay up-front costs for high-quality publishing services but afford authors a more collaborative experience and a much higher royalty structure.

For an in-depth look at the many different types of publishing and the pros and cons of each, check out “What Are My Publishing Options?” on the Learning Center.

What is the submission process like in the hybrid model?

Hybrid publishers accept submissions directly from authors, so make sure to follow the publisher’s submission instructions exactly!

Submitting directly, however, doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed publication. Hybrid publishers—the good ones at least—have high standards for what they publish under their imprint, so you want your query and manuscript to be in the best shape possible when you submit.

What happens after submission?

After reviewing submitted manuscripts, the marketing, sales, and editorial teams discuss each project’s potential. Once they’ve selected a project that everyone agrees is not only high quality, but also has great sales potential, a consultant speaks with the author about service options (editorial, marketing, etc.) and proceeds with contract negotiations.

The Bottom Line

The submission process, regardless of the type of publisher you choose, is tough.

It’s not just about the writing—it’s about marketability, sales potential, and many other factors. Remembering that can make rejection easier. It’s not personal. Perhaps sales in your genre haven’t been great, or the publisher, fearing market cannibalization, has another title on their list that is too similar to yours.

How do I give my manuscript its best shot at publication?

Ideally, you want to do all of these things before you submit your manuscript to any publisher:

1. Hire an editor to make sure your content is in the best shape possible and to review your query letter.

2. Many months or even years before you begin the submission process, work on building your author platform and extending your audience reach.

3. Research other successful titles in your genre and use them as competitive titles when you submit your manuscript.

If you consider the many angles involved in publishing a successful book, you will have a much stronger chance of being selected during the submission process.

Are you ready to submit your manuscript? Greenleaf is now taking submissions! Visit our Submissions Page to show us what you’ve made. If you have any questions about your submission, contact us at contact@greenleafbookgroup.com. You can also tweet us at @GreenleafBookGr.

Don’t forget: Some of history’s greatest literary works were rejected by publishers, sometimes more than once. Don’t give up on getting published, and most importantly, make sure to keep writing.