Last month I concentrated on submitting TWO JADE BRACELETS to small U.S. publishers who didn’t require an agent. I found 12 publisher that met my criteria. I thought what I would do was send a query to each but quickly discovered each wanted a different amount of information and contact method. Only two used Query Tracker.The others had created their own forms.

Slowly, as I submitted to each publisher, I developed a file or part of a file that would satisfy their desires.

Most wanted a short summary of what the book was about. For some, three or four sentences was sufficient; others wanted a couple paragraphs. The summary could be used as part of a query letter or in answer to specific questions the publisher asked. Most wanted a bio. Again, they varied in length and could also be part of a query or in a separate section of the form or both (i.e., to be in the query and repeated in a separate box.) Then there was the synopsis. One page or two in length? Some wanted the first 30 pages of the ms. Others the first 50 pages. And some wanted the full manuscript. Many wanted a list of social venues where I would promote the book if they published it. Those publishers varied in how much information they wanted. A few simply wanted the names of the groups I belonged to: Facebook, X, Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and so on. Some wanted the name I used on each or the URL that would take them to my author page, some even wanted how many followers I had.

With the first few publishers I contacted, it took me quite a while to create each required bit of information. As I continued my publisher search, the process took less and less time because I simply copied what I had sent to another publishers, made any necessary changes for the new publisher (if there were any changes) and pasted the information in the new form.

Although it took a while to set up, I’m glad I have all of these files. Once I publish this book, I have a quick way to put together a press release or any promotional material I need to help sell the book.

If you’re a new writer, I recommend creating a short and long bio, short and long “Elevator Pitch” that can be part of a query letter or an actual pitch, have a one page synopsis and a two page synopsis, and a file for the first fifteen-pages of the ms, thirty-page, or fifty-pages. And, since even the big publishing houses want to know how you’ll help promote your book, make a list of social or reader related groups you belong to. Take time and reread what you’ve written and read it to others to see how they react. (And if the story doesn’t sound fantastic to them, work on it so your pitch does sound fantastic.)

Be Prepared.

Cross your fingers for me. I’m hoping one of the publishers I’ve sent to decides TWO JADE BRACELETS is a perfect fit for their line.