What Makes a Successful Manuscript Sample?
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
One of the most crucial steps in publishing your book is creating a strong manuscript sample for submission to literary agents and publishing houses. This is your chance to demonstrate your writing skills, the plot you’ve created for your story idea, and the character development you’ve envisioned, all of which will help you stand out from the competition in the slush pile. Crafting the perfect manuscript sample can be a daunting task, but don't worry, I’m here to guide you through the process. I am a former literary agent and am happy to walk you through this process from a behind-the-scenes perspective. In this article, I’ll be covering what a manuscript sample is, what ingredients make up a strong manuscript sample, and the common mistakes writers make when submitting a manuscript sample to publishing gatekeepers.
What Is a manuscript Sample?
A manuscript sample is the beginning portion of your novel that you submit to literary agents or publishers to showcase your writing style, plot outline, and character development. It should be well-written, engaging, and provide a clear indication of what the rest of your novel will be like in terms of genre, theme, tone, and other writing skills. A manuscript sample can vary in length but is generally between the equivalent of ten and fifty double-spaced pages.
Your manuscript sample should have certain ingredients to make it as strong as possible. These include:
A cohesive plot with clear conflict introduced right away
Memorable and well-crafted characters, especially the protagonist
An engaging and unique writing style
Authentic dialogue that moves the plot forward using scene, action, and pacing
A strong sense of setting and worldbuilding, if applicable, which is especially important in fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction
Conflict and tension to keep readers engaged
A strong manuscript sample is where character and plot come together seamlessly. Your main character should have a clear objective, motivation, and a story obstacle to overcome right away. Consider how your character's motivation drives the plot forward, whether or not they’re a proactive protagonist, and how their challenges make the reader care about what they have at stake. Make sure that the conflict and tension in your manuscript sample contribute to your character's overall story arc.
Make sure to offer the first few chapters of your novel. Ideally, you have a complete manuscript to offer if the gatekeeper makes a full request. It’s considered bad form to submit just a sample for a theoretical book, though you haven’t written the project yet. Before submitting your manuscript sample, make sure to take time to self-edit, revise, and proofread it thoroughly. You can also hire an editor before you take your shot at getting a book deal.
What Else is Expected From Your Submission?
In addition to your manuscript sample, you'll be expected to provide a query letter and a synopsis. The former will include an author bio and a writing resume, applicable if you have publishing credits. These pieces help literary agents and publishers get to know you and see where you stand in your writing career. It’s okay to be a beginner, as well. Everyone was one, at one point. Make sure to follow the submission guidelines provided by the agent or publisher. Many have specific requirements regarding manuscript sample length and formatting.
Common Mistakes Writers Make with the Manuscript Sample
One of the most common mistakes writers make with their manuscript sample is not following submission guidelines for each agent or publisher. Each literary agent and publisher may have specific requirements, so make sure to read and follow them closely. Another mistake is submitting too much or too little of your manuscript. Finally, you will want to make sure your manuscript sample is as polished as you can possibly get it. This is crucial for attracting attention.
Crafting a strong manuscript sample is crucial in getting your work noticed by literary agents and publishers. By combining engaging characters, a cohesive plot, and excellent writing style, you'll demonstrate your skills as a writer and increase your chances of getting published. So take your time, edit thoroughly, and follow submission guidelines closely to give yourself the best chance of success.
Click here to purchase Irresistible Query Letters, my book on query letters, including over forty examples with comprehensive notes on each one. There’s a ton of submission advice, best practices, and insider information in these pages, and you’ll really enjoy seeing what other writers are doing in the slush.