1. '(Over)Protecting the Work

On his website, Daniel Lazar, an agent with Writers House tells those considering querying him:

"If you mail, no need to send materials double sealed in bubble wrap. It's paper, not anthrax."

Funny but true! Your MS may be precious to you but you don't want to come across that way to publishers.

If you over-wrap your submission, send it by hand-delivered priority courier, signature-accept or (worse yet) requiring it to be collected from the postal office you might as well write "HIGH MAINTENANCE AUTHOR" on the outside and be done with it.

You're sending a copy of your work, not the original. Just present it neatly (not bound) inside an appropriate-sized envelope or shipping parcel/box which is safely but modestly taped up and then put your trust in your friendly, neighbourhood postman.

If you're really anxious to know that it got there in one piece, drop a stamped, self-addressed postcard in the bundle that the receiving officer can simply flick straight into their 'out' tray for return post.

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