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I've been asked by a would-be writer about submitting manuscripts and if its best to submit to agents or publishers. My answer is it depends on who you ask - those who found an agent recommend them, those who got lucky on the slushpile without one say go it alone. Certainly a lot of publishers now will only look at agented work. Here's what I've learned over the years anyway: Most of the big publishers say no unsolicited submissions but that sometimes means send a 'query letter' rather than no contact at all. A query letter is basically you asking if they would like to see your manuscript, with a brief description of the book, who it is aimed at, a bit about you and usually sample chapters too. Most publishers advise to get an agent first, the problem is it's really hard to get an agent. Now people are suggesting you go to an editorial service first like Cornerstones or The Writers' Advice Centre for Children's Books they sometimes get good results and pass on suitable manuscripts to agents but charge for their services. I think it's hardest with children's submissions since JK Rowling's incredible success everyone thinks it's a way to get rick quick which is hilarious as advances are usually small. You'd be very lucky to be able to give up the day job. Many moons ago I wrote a crime thriller and tried to find an agent/publisher and have obviously done the same with Dr Midas, I can recommend some agents/publishers as better than others. Personally I like the ones who accept email submission (but there aren't many) as its faster and more direct. America seems to be more keen on this approach. It usually takes up to three months for a reply (most seem to take six weeks) the worst was an agency which took a year and I rang twice chasing them. It wouldn't be so patient now, but it's difficult to judge when to do a follow up call or email (I think three months is fair.) I really recommend trying several agents/publishers at a time just don't admit to it unless you have to (i.e several want to sign you - I should be so lucky). Most want a covering letter, synopsis (everyone hates doing them) and the first three chapters. With fiction it's best to only send out after you've finished and done several revisions with non-fiction I understand they want a proposal. Manuscripts should be 12pt Times New Roman double lined spacing on one-side A4. Don't stalk, don't send bribes, don't write in purple ink or blood. Always follow submission requirements to the letter. Oh and remember me when you're drinking Champagne at your book launch.

All together now... 'Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I think I'll go and eat worms'... I like to think I'm quite a positive person, alright I like a moan as much as the next person, but I try and think positive and see the glass as half full. But sometimes I feel like giving this whole trying to be published business up. Last night was one of those times. I'd had a long day at work and was feeling tired anyway but then I spotted a large parcel on the table. My book had come back again. I knew without opening it would be a rejection, but I was hoping for at least a comment or two in the letter. Now I've had a few indifferent comments in the past, those I can handle, what really gets to me is the standard letter. I know it's unreasonable of me, but there's something about them that puts me under a black cloud. Why do I hate them? Of course I realise publishers and agents are extremely busy people and can't always give feedback but in this case the submission requirements asked for the entire manuscript. That means two lots of expensive post and the best part of an ink cartridge and a lot of paper (ok I know that's part of the deal when submitting.) I can't help, ok probably unreasonably, thinking it would be nice if that would warrant just a line or two especially as my experience of this company has been excellent and I think it hurt a little more than usual because of that. What really annoys me is the signature you get on these type of replys. They are nearly always a squiggle with no printed name underneath and my understanding from reading 'how to' books and blogs is that they are designed to stop follow up calls - in other words crazed stalker like behaviour. I like to think my letter, manuscript and outlines show I have a professional approach to the submission process, I don't feel I deserve a squiggle, especially when most times I've written to a particular, named, editor or agent. To top it off this particular letter read 'Re: Dr Midas and the Pirates outline' which makes me suspect that the assistant flicked to the first page and copied that off my outline. I guess she was having a busy day. I would like to say though that I do think the manuscript was read, I know some wannabe authors are suspicious of the slushpile, but if I began to think like that I would become even more disillusioned. Anyway as I said at the beginning I like to think I'm a positive person so instead of throwing my laptop out of the window I opened up a short story I've been working on. The story is for a competition and I was a good 500 words short of the word count, well not anymore. If I hadn't had that rejection I dare say it may have been left unfinished.

One of the things I never realised when I first decided to try and find an agent/publisher was how often I'd end up in the post office packaging up my submissions. I did realise I'd spend a fair bit of time waiting on the postman to bring news - but I never thought about the sending out process beyond writing my book and covering letter/outline. I never guessed I'd spend so much time printing out covering letters, chapters and outlines - nor imagined the amount of paper and ink cartridges I would need - not to mention printers! Then there's al the time spent tracking down up-to-date names and addresses, not always easy despite the internet - although more agents and publishers have their own websites now. I rushed to my local post office yesterday (I love the fact they are open on Sundays) minutes before closing. I have my routine finely-tuned - buy large envelopes (I always seem to have run out or mislaid them) - write my name and address on the return envelope (grimace at my handwriting) put it inside another with the editor/agents details on with my submission package. Then I have to have the whole thing weighed and get the correct postage twice, remove the SAE and put the stamps on put it back in and put the stamps or pre-paid postage label on the main envelope and seal it all up before handing it over. You need about six hands to do this - and I nearly always get in a tangle with those peel-off seals. At this point I usually panic that I've forgotten something or put the wrong date on my letter - but it's off on its way and I can feel pleased with myself for a minute and daydream that this time I will get a yes reply.

I recently saw a list in the Times the 50 greatest post-war British writers. There were plenty of usual suspects, but three caught my eye--Philippa Pearce, Alan Garner, and Rosemary Sutcliffe. The other children's book author's were Dahl, Lewis, Peake and Rawling, but that was less surprising.

Rosemary Sutcliffe is the best writer of juvenile historical fiction that ever was, and I am very happy to see her on this list. Read The Mark of the Horselord. Eagle of the Ninth. Warrior Scarlet. You'll see what I mean. They are great stories, and I learned lots.

In this vein, I am looking forward to reading Good Masters, Sweet Ladies (which won the Newbery a few hours ago), although not the un-read first edition pre-sticker copy I just bought (which will be saved until it's time to pay for the kids to go to college). The illustrations remind me of Walter Hodges, who illustrated quite a few Rosemary Sutcilffes, and who is my favorite illustrator of things medieval. But of course since I did not open my new copy of G.M, S.L., not wanting to damage it, I can't be quite sure... Read the rest of this post