Knowledge Base > Topic Categories > Submission Process > What is the criteria you use for judging manuscripts?
What is the criteria you use for judging manuscripts?
by Annie Huddleston
First and foremost, we have to enjoy reading the manuscript. We are all avid readers and if we don't feel as though we would honestly plunk our money down for the finished product, we definitely won't ask other readers to do so. Some other things we keep in mind are:
The topic. We don't accept hate literature, porn or the occult. Of course, some romance novels have steamy love scenes. As long as it doesn't seem as though Larry Flynt was the ghost writer on the project, most tame love novels will pass. And many horror novels skirt the edges of the occult, which may be fine. As long as your book doesn't show folks how to turn their enemies into frogs or kumquats, you should be okay.
The plot. We look for originality, creativity and a true dedication to the craft. If your book seems like a rip-off of an old "Starsky and Hutch" re-run, forget it. But if it truly picques our interest and makes us want to read the complete novel, then you have a good chance.