Care should be taken when submitting manuscripts to book publishers.
A suitable publisher should be chosen, by a study of his list of publications or
an examination in the bookshops of the type of books in which he specializes. It
is a waste of time and money to send the typescript of a novel to a publisher
who publishes no fiction, or poetry to one who publishes no verse, though all
too often this is done. A preliminary letter is appreciated by most publishers,
and this should outline the nature and extent of the typescript and enquire
whether the publisher would be prepared to read it (writers have been known
to send out such letters of enquiry in duplicated form, an approach not
calculated to stimulate a publisher’s interest). It is desirable to enclose the cost
of return postage when submitting the typescript and finally it must be
understood that although every reasonable care is taken of material in the
Publishers’ possession, responsibility cannot be accepted for any loss or
damage thereto.
Authors are strongly advised not to pay for the publication of their work.
A reputable publisher will undertake its publication at his own expense, except
possibly for works of an academic nature.