Post: What’s a pre-submission review, and how can it help you?

review

Working toward a goal of becoming a published author can be rewarding, yet challenging and sometimes stressful as well. Even if you’ve already had a book or two published in the past, each new venture is unique and may include setbacks or complications that weren’t present in a prior publishing experience. 

There are several valuable resources that can help increase your chances of having a publisher accept a manuscript that you’ve submitted. In the publishing industry, we commonly refer to one such resource as a “pre-submission review.” This is a process that occurs before you’ve submitted your manuscript to a publisher. 

Here’s how it works

A pre-submission review is also sometimes called an “editorial letter.” It’s a process involving an experienced copy editor who will read your manuscript with a keen eye and then make recommendations and suggestions for ways in which you might refine your writing before sending it to a publisher. 

For instance, perhaps you’ve written a novel and have readers ages 12 to 16 in mind as a target audience. Following a pre-submission review, a copy editor might suggest that your story would be a better fit for older (or younger) readers. A copy editor will let you know if your story is too long or short, or if it is in need of further detail to tie up some loose ends for the reader. 

Why pre-submission reviews are helpful

When a professional copy editor reads your manuscript, it brings a fresh perspective into the equation. The valuable feedback you receive may mean the difference between having a publisher return your manuscript to you with a rejection letter or learning that your story has been accepted for publication. 

You might think, “Well, I can just ask my friends and family to read my manuscript for free,” which is true. However, unless they have a background in professional writing or publishing, it’s not the same as having a copy editor go over your manuscript with a fine-tooth comb. While a pre-submission review cannot guarantee a future publication, following the recommendations and advice of a professional copy editor helps identify “room for improvement,” so that you can get your story to its full potential before submitting it to a publisher.