Submission Package Differences

I sent submission packages to eight publishers who did not require agent representation. All asked for a standard query letter but each publisher had specific requests as to other information they wanted. In most cases, rewriting the final paragraph satisfied their particular requirements. Aside from the usual request to specify genre, number of pages, and word count, one publisher asked for an exact statement to be included at the end of the query certifying that the work was mine and original. An interesting twist and one I had not encountered. Keep your old versions of queries and other submission materials. You never know when one of them will be exactly what an agent or publisher wants.

Small Publishers

I was doing a Google search on the contents of a "typical" submission package. It seems every agent wants a different mix of materials, especially the synopsis which ranges from one page max to as many as ten pages. I was hoping for some advice on hitting a happy medium for a short and long synopsis that I could use for everyone.

I included multiple search words trying to zero in on the answer to my synopsis question and ended up stumbling upon the mother-lode of small publishers actively seeking mysteries - no agent needed. I've looked at five screens already with many more screens to go.

After all the careful searching I've done for agents and small presses, I don't know how I missed finding these. No name was familiar - all new possibilities.

Don't give up on your search for agents, or for small presses if that route appeals to you. Apparently there are plenty of both!