F.A.Q.
Frequent Questions
I want to have my manuscript evaluated, where do I send it?
Manuscripts can be submitted by email to [email protected]. We prefer Word documents.
If you would like to submit a hardcopy manuscript, please contact us first to arrange delivery.
I live locally; can I drop my manuscript off in person?
Only with an appointment and please be aware that we charge a consultation fee of $150.00 per hour for in-person 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
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Do I need to copyright my manuscript before I submit it?
Copyright laws vary from country to country. In Canada, work 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.
Many authors double-register their manuscript and mail the document to their own addresses. This is known as “poor man’s copyright.” We recommend registration by accessing the aforementioned website and following the directions prior to submitting your manuscript.
Traditional publishing and self-publishing create a myriad of copyright, and in some cases trademark, concerns for the author. We are able to address these specific concerns by introducing you to an experienced intellectual property lawyer.
Should I Secure an Agent or Self-Publish?
“I wrote a manuscript. Now what?” That’s the question we hear the most when we answer the phone. These days, you have so many options to consider–traditional publishing, agent/no agent, self-publishing, print-on-demand, and even audiobook production. At Sparks Literary, we will help you navigate these options and find the best path for your manuscript.
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 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.
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, no we can’t. Success in the publishing world depends on a number of 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 little bit 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.