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Do your homework
If you’re working on shorter pieces, short stories, poetry, or non-fiction work, track down writing competitions, journals, and magazines that take submissions. Here are a few links you may find useful:If you’re submitting a book-length manuscript, my advice is to start by seeking an agent before submitting to publishers, so track down agents who represent authors working in your genre. Your agent will get a percentage of earnings from the book, but it's worth it. Many acquiring editors won't look at a manuscript unless it comes to them through an agent. And an agent does far more than just sell your work. Here’s “How a Literary Agent Can Help” from CBC Books.
But if you don't land an agent—and chances are you won’t—don't sweat it. According to TWUC, 80% of writers in Canada are not represented by an agent. Scroll down on that TWUC link to see a list of Canadian literary agents. It’s a pretty short list. So, competition for agents is very high.
Here’s how to improve your chances of landing an agent. One of the ways is to have a strong social media presence. The same is true, of course, when approaching a publisher.
If you don’t land an agent or want to submit directly to a publisher, track down publishers who publish in your genre.
Here’s TWUC link on how to find the right publisher for your manuscript.
And here’s CBC Books on How to Find a Publisher.
Okay, so you’ve done your homework, found competitions and journals to submit to, and agents and publishers to consider. What’s next?
Read previous submissions
Before you put that submission package together for a competition or journal or for agent or publisher, take the time to read the previous year’s winning work, the writing published in the most recent edition of a given publication, or the books agents represent or that publishers publish. You want to make sure your submission is a good fit. There’s no point in submitting to an agent or publisher if they don’t accept the genre you work in.Also, while the panelists on a prize jury will change from year to year, and so will the tastes of the jury, a given prize does tend to attract and award a particular kind of writing. Here’s a list of CBC literary prize winners as an example.
Having said that, it’s fresh writing with a unique perspective that’s likely to catch a prize panelist’s or editor’s eye and make them fight for a story. So, find ways to make your work stand out. Make it your own.
