Writing a Manuscript... fun stuff!

The last few weeks, my time extra time has been consumed by the things that I must complete before sending out my manuscripts! For those of you who don't know, there is way more than just licking the envelope and sealing it with a kiss. I used to think this too!

Unfortunately, because of these processes that I must follow, I have been permanently kicked out of the Tree Hugger Club! Okay, I'm kidding, but let me tell you, the amount of paper I go through is insane. Today for instance, I was excited to come into the lab to pick up my freshly printed manuscript copies, crisp and ready to stuff into their big brown envelopes! But literally, just as I reached to pull the rather large stack from the copier, a teacher that has helped me with editing came in with her copy of the manuscript in her hand. "Oh I just happened to find one more thing," she said. Smiling, I took the stack of newly printed, now useless, manuscript copies and transferred them to their new home. The recycling bin! Then headed to the nearest computer to make the new changes.

Now don't get me wrong, as much as I love the trees (and I would claim myself as a tree hugger), getting these last minute corrections are a gift. Every little thing that can be caught now brings me one step closer to the "perfect manuscript." I am thankful for all who have been willing to help me edit, reading Lily's story over and over again! Without them, none of this would have been possible!

Any who... so today I have put printing on hold; deciding that maybe another couple of edits wouldn't be such a bad idea. To date, my darling Lily and her story of childlike shopping addiction has been edited over 113 times by various people. To name a few, my mother (always a good critique), my college Comp. 2 teacher and Children's Literature Instructor, Jane Watkins, the Lantern newspaper advisor, Danita White, my best friend and amazingggg reporter for the Emporia Gazette, Brandy Nance, countless other friends and so many more. All helping to shape Lily to what she is today!

Ok, ok, I have gotten off track! The process of sending out manuscripts! Here we are again, back on track. To those who are wondering what the process takes, I will let you in on a little. To prepare for sending out your story, the following has to be completed first:
- The purchase of what I refer to as the Writer's Bible, but what is called the Children's Writers and Illustrators Market 2008. This was the book that many sites recommend and also the book that I have spent many nights thumbing through desperately looking for answers!
- Editing, editing, editing! Read the story to kids, ask what they think. Have a teacher rip it apart (as a writer you HAVE to be open to criticism and accept that like all humans, writers make mistakes too). Have you mom read it, your sister, your brothers. Share it with friends, etc. The only thing that you may want to be careful of is read it to those you trust as there is always the underlying factor of your idea getting stolen. But don't be paranoid! You have to discover if what you are writing is something that will go over with people.
- Manuscript format. There are a lot of books out there that have different ideas for format. Some companies request special formats. This is where things get tricky. I chose to go with a basic format listed in the book I purchased. However, I will be paying special attention to the requirements that each company holds.
- Envelopes and stamps. Giant brown manila envelopes are my package of choice to send out Lily's story. To save time I have printed out mass labels with my name and address and placed them on all the envelopes. Also note: many companies require that if you want a response or want your manuscript back, you have to but a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) inside the main envelope. Now as far as mailing out your manuscripts, which I have yet to do. That is going to cost a pretty penny. In the book I use, there are well over 200 different publishing addresses. Be cautious though when selecting where to send everything. Read the guidelines carefully; sending a manuscript to a company who won't take it wastes your money and their time.
- Getting you name out there. This is a very important step as well as a very tricky one. Many companies like to be able to access other information about if they are interested. The book I am reading highly suggest that serious authors establish a website of some sort. This includes a blog (which you are reading! yea!). Also, having easy to decipher information helps too. Like a business card, or a portfolio that sets you apart from the rest. Getting noticed is the first step!
- Waiting.... and waiting and waiting and waiting. This is the hardest part. And chances are that the first letter you will get will be a rejection letter, something that can be discouraging. But don't give up! It's worth it all to one day get that acceptance letter; just like getting into college! Except you will get paid instead of having to go in dept! Ha! I can't say that I have experienced the full excitement of selling a manuscript, but I can only imagine. It's my dream, and trust me, I really do dream about it. I have staring contests with my mailbox!

So there it is, a little in site to the first few steps to getting a book published. Nothing is proven, so if it doesn't work for you don't come here screaming at me! I am in the learning process too. It seems to take forever and its a lot of work and dedication. But I keep my hopes up by writing even more. Who knows what could happen tomorrow! I might even get the real final manuscript printed out. But for now....well... I'm going to go check my mailbox! I'm waiting on my final copyright papers...ahhh! Hurry up government ( hurry and government don't belong in the same sentence, I should know that)! Happy writing and reading ya'll!