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A good deal of research must go into finding the right publisher for your manuscript. If submitting to a journal or magazine, it is helpful to read a copy of the publication before submitting your manuscript. Make certain that they publish the type of piece that you have written. Most publications have strict guidelines concerning the type of material they will accept. There are also restrictions on the number of words they will accept in a manuscript. Many publications have themes each month that must be followed. If submitting to a magazine publisher, send for their guidelines to be sure your piece fits in with the type of articles they are publishing and that you have followed the guidelines. Otherwise, you are more than likely going to receive a rejection.

Create a spreadsheet to track which manuscripts have been sent to which publications. You do not want to send the same manuscript out to an editor who has already rejected your piece. After sending a piece out to several publications, it can become difficult to remember where it has been sent. It is also good to know the date that you mailed the manuscript to the publisher so you will know when to expect to hear back from them. You can get a lot of information regarding guidelines from the publications website.

There are publications that can be very helpful in finding the right website for your manuscript. The Writer’s Market is published annually and is a very good resource for any author. This publication will give you up-to-date information on markets for every type of manuscript, poetry, and greeting cards. It lists the editor’s name and address, the type of work each publication is seeking, word requirements, and how each publication pays illustrators and authors. The Writer’s Market is a must for every freelance writer’s bookshelf.

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