Contact Us
Are you ready to submit your manuscript for evaluation? Do you have questions about how to submit your manuscript? Do you want to let us know your manuscript is on its way to our offices in Calgary, Canada? We prefer receiving emails for queries, but we’ll also be happy to talk to you by phone during regular business hours MST.
Call Us
Need Guidance?
Get In Touch
F.A.Q.
Frequent Questions
I want to have my manuscript evaluated, where do I send it?
You can email a copy of your manuscript to [email protected]. Word documents are preferred. Do you only have a hardcopy or typed manuscript? Contact us to arrange delivery.
I live locally; can I drop my manuscript off in person?
Sparks Literary Consultants is located in Calgary, AB, Canada. We only see clients in person with an appointment, and please be aware that we charge a consultation fee of $150.00 per hour for in-person or Zoom meetings. If you would like to discuss your manuscript prior to submitting it, please phone us first, during regular business hours, MST: (403) 902-1445.
Do I need to include a cover letter with my Manuscript Submission?
A cover letter isn’t strictly necessary, but it is a good idea. Let us know a bit about yourself, the manuscript, and what your dreams are for it. Do you envision landing a contract deal with a traditional publisher? Do you want to self-publish it? Are you just not sure what to do with it at all? Let us know, so we can point you in the right direction.
Do I need to copyright my manuscript before I submit it?
Copyright laws vary from country to country. In Canada, works such as illustrations and manuscripts provide a tangible medium for protection. Accordingly, copyright is automatic under common law once the work has been created. However, while registration isn’t mandatory, the Canadian government has provided an avenue for statutory registration (www.cipo.gc.ca) and, from an evidentiary point of view, this is important.
We recommend registering your title with the CIPO before submitting it to us.
Do you represent previously self-published manuscirpts?
Usually not. Most publishers won’t consider previously self-published works, so we won’t tell you otherwise.
Many new authors ask us whether they should self-publish or seek an agent to secure a traditional publishing contract. This is a complex question. Generally speaking, we advise you to seek a traditional publishing deal first. If you’re unsuccessful, you can always turn to self-publishing. It doesn’t always work the other way around.
How do I properly format my manuscript?
All manuscripts submitted to Sparks Literary Consultants, Inc. must be properly formatted. The standard manuscript format is:
Double-spaced
Single-sided
12-14 pt. font
1” (normal) margins
Paginated (pages are numbered sequentially)
Unbound
Include a title page with your name, phone number, email, and mailing address.
Do I need to include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with my manuscript submission?
If you’re submitting a hardcopy manuscript, yes, we will use the SASE you’ve included to return your evaluated manuscript and our evaluation. Make sure the envelope is the appropriate size and has the right amount of stamps–actual stamps; mailing labels are time-sensitive and will no longer be usable by the time your manuscript reaches us.
Why does Sparks Literary Consultants Inc. charge fees?
Because we are consultants and, as explained throughout this website, we put a lot of time and effort into working with our authors to prepare them for the potential of publishing.
So, I’ll submit my manuscript and pay the evaluation fee–can you guarantee you’ll make me rich and famous?
No, we can’t. Success in the publishing world depends on several variables–the quality of your writing, your chosen genre, your agent’s ability to sell your work, the publishers’ quotas and budgets, timing, and a whole lot of luck. We don’t know the magic formula for selling a million copies of your book. No one does.
What we can guarantee is that we’ll evaluate your manuscript fairly and constructively and, if we represent your work, we’ll do so to the best of our abilities. We’ll be upfront and honest with you throughout your publishing process.