Before you hit send…

That important deadline is fast approaching. The one you’ve been working towards. This is an exciting moment, but one that can feel daunting. After all, someone else is about to read your work. Here are a few things to think about before you hit ‘send’.

The small print

It may sound obvious, but always double-check the submission guidelines. If I had a pound for every literary agent that I’ve heard say this, I would have, erm, many pounds. Rules and guidelines for entry can vary quite considerably across different literary prizes, competitions, open submissions with publishing houses or what agents ask to see from prospective writer clients. Follow the guidelines to the letter. They have been thought about carefully and are in place for good reason. You don’t need to do something different or ‘out there’ to draw attention to your work, other than the entry material requested. It will stand for itself.

Proofread, and maybe once again

Proofreading is a skill, and being objective about checking your own work for typos and rogue errors when you’ve spent hours writing and rewriting can be a challenge. Read slowly and go through smaller chunks of text at a time. Reading aloud or even mouthing the words can be helpful. You might also consider asking a friend or someone you trust to proofread your text for you too. At this late pre-submission stage, you might want to make it clear that you’re not asking for advice on the content of your work – this is a practical editorial check to catch any small things you may have missed.

Synopsis writer’s block

A synopsis tells you what a book is about from beginning to end. It’s essentially a spoiler for your book. Writing one can feel like an afterthought to the main event. But writers are often asked to include one in a submission, and a good synopsis requires some consideration. If you’ve left yours to the last minute, don’t panic.

The key to a good synopsis is balancing concision with conveying all the relevant information about the story and the kind of book you’re writing. If you’re unsure where to start, write down everything that happens – briefly. Don’t worry if you find yourself writing what will ultimately be way too much. This exercise will help get it out of your system. Now you have something to start shaping. Prioritise the key plot beats, the moments of action and the important characters. Some things to think about…

One sentence

If you could only use one sentence to describe your book to a stranger in the street, what would you say? Can you do this to describe both plot and themes? What is the hook? Who is the story really about? Which characters carry the novel? Focus on them in the synopsis, introduce them succinctly. What does the reader really need to know about them? Are there any major twists or turning points in the plot? How about big set-piece scenes or reveals, the climatic moments? Oh, and double-check the required work count!

Good to go?

Send the submission off and then try to let it go. Writing is a long game, and whatever you have just submitted is likely just one step along the way. Keep your head, try not to get too distracted by others, and good luck!

Frankie Edwards is Editorial Director at Headline Publishing Group and a partner in our Novel Award. Twitter@FKedwards