Do's
- Do your homework. A little time spent researching the market will save you a lot of time, money and frustration in the long run.
- Do ring up or write to the company prior to sending copies of your work to check whether or not they receive freelance work, what their guidelines are and to whom they should be addressed.
- Do put your name and address of every piece of work.
- Do enclose correctly sized and stamped SAE if you want your work returned.
- Do agree how you will be paid
Don'ts
- Don't ever send originals.
- Don't waste your time sending a long letter of introduction. It invariably will not be read.
- Don't be discouraged if you hear nothing for a while - publishers receive huge amounts of submissions and it can take them a few weeks to respond.
- Don't sell two publishers similar copy. A bad reputation will follow you around.
- Don't take rejection personally.
If you have talent, follow these simple steps with practice and determination, and who knows - one day you may be able to leave your day job and become a full time writer.
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