Tips on Avoiding Rejection

I was shuffling through my old notes and found a list of tips on "avoiding rejection." It's from the 2004 issue of CHILDREN'S WRITER'S & ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET. I thought I'd share it with all of you.

The biggest submission turnoffs (according to the two agents who were interviewed for this column):

• The letter is addressed, "Dear Sir," especially if there isn't any men in the company. Also, addressing by first name when you do not know him or her.
• Including handwritten notes.
• Explanations that friends, family, and students recommend or loved the writing.
• Comparing your book to other will-recognized authors. "It's the next Harry Potter!"
• Telling them that it will be a big seller and that they will be sorry if they turn it down.
• Not following submission guidelines.
• Mispelling a name.
• Including any non-manuscript materials in the submission (dolls, food, etc.).
• An abundance of grammatical errors.
• Manuscripts with illustrations done by the author's young children.
• Single-spaced manuscripts.

If any of you have anything you'd like to add to this list, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. Let's keep our editors and agents HAPPY!