So, you’ve written a children’s book, and now it’s time to get it into the mail to the publisher of your dreams. Congratulations. But wait! Is it really ready? One of the biggest mistakes any writer can make is being too eager to submit a manuscript – and, as a result, submitting a story which is doomed to be rejected.

Whilst not exhaustive, here’s a list of ten signs that you are not yet ready to submit your manuscript. If you meet even one of these criteria, you may want to hold off on sealing that envelope.

1. You just typed the words ‘the end’. If you have just finished writing your story, then you may well feel very eager to get it in the mail and off to a publisher or agent. After all, it’s a masterpiece and the quicker you get it out there, the sooner it will be in print, right? Wrong. No matter how good your story, before you send it out you need to take the time to revise, revise and revise. Let it sit for at least a week, then reread it. The passage of time will help you to see any shortcomings in your work, ready to edit, and rework until it truly is a masterpiece.

2. You have shown your story to your children/grandchildren/neighbour’s cat/mother etc and they LOVE it. Actually, there is nothing especially wrong with showing your manuscript to these people, and, if it’s any good, it is to be hoped that these people (and cats) will like it. But do not rely on the judgement of these people (and cats) as an indication of your story’s worth – and never tell a prospective publisher what your kids/grandkids/blah blah blah think of your offering. Seriously, the feedback of these people is not any indication of your book’s publishability. Just as your next door neighbour is not going to tell you that your newborn baby is ugly, s/he is equally unlikely to tell you that your story is dull. And your mother is SUPPOSED to think you are incredibly clever for writing a novel. But telling a publisher about this feedback in a cover letter marks you as an amateur. He/she doesn’t need to be told that someone else liked the story – let the story speak for itself.

3. You have staked out a spot next to the mailbox so you can be there when the contract comes. Okay – this is not about your manuscript’s readiness, but rather about your understanding of the submissions process. If you are going to sit by the mailbox/computer/telephone waiting for a response, you are going to need a tent, a porta-loo and a LOT of supplies. It is rare to hear anything within the first six weeks, and for most publishers the response time will be closer to six months. And, if the publisher is interested, you are more likely to hear by phone or by email – a letter usually means a rejection. But actually, the key problem with sitting waiting for a reply is that you are much better off putting that time to use by writing your next story. If you want to be a writer, you need to always be working on your next project. If your first manuscript is rejected you then have something else to submit. And, if it’s accepted, you have your follow up offering ready to go.

4. You need to sell this manuscript so you can pay your mounting bills. Again, this one is not so much a reflection of your manuscript’s quality, but rather of your understanding of the publishing industry. For most children’s book authors, the reality is that you are not going to make a big income, especially from your first book. Whilst most of us do hope to earn money from our writing, the reality is that if you are looking for fast money, writing is not the job for you. Even if your manuscript is accepted, it will likely be several months before you see any money. After acceptance, you will need to negotiate a contract. Once that is signed you should be paid an advance against royalties. That advance will be the only income you’ll see before the book is published (generally at least a year down the track) . Once the book is published, the first sales will earn back your advance. After that, future sales will earn you royalties of between 5 and 10% of the book’s cover price. But don’t expect a weekly pay cheque – most publishers pay royalties twice a year, so it’s a long wait between paypackets. If you have mounting bills, you are best off seeking regular paid work – but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your writing dream. With the financial pressure off, you can use your spare time to pursue that dream, with the goal of having it one day support you.

5. The last children’s book you read was when you were in primary school. If you want to write for today’s children, and be published by today’s publishers, you need to be reading today’s children’s books. And not just occasionally – you need to be spending as much (or more) time reading the books as you spend trying to write them. If you are not up to date with what’s being published, chances are your manuscript is not tailored to today’s market – and so is not ready to be submitted.

6. You think your book is the next Harry Potter/Dr Seuss/Twilight… Yes, every children’s writer wants to be successful (and most of us would like to be rich, too). But if your cover letter tells the publisher that your book is the next Harry Potter, or uses the phrase ‘think XYZ crossed with ABC’ (where XYZ and ABC are the titles of popular books or authors) , or if that is how you think of your book, then there’s a problem. The world doesn’t need another Dr Seuss, or another JK Rowling. What is needed are fresh new voices. Yes, you need to be aware of current trends (see number 5 above), but your manuscript should not repeat or reproduce what is already out there. It must offer something new.

7. You have had your neighbour/best friend/talented child draw the pictures. Yes, many children’s books are illustrated. But, unless you are a professional quality illustrator, you should not be submitting illustrations with your manuscript. Publishers like to choose their own illustrators, matching a manuscript with an illustrator whose style matches their plans for the book. If you are an aspiring illustrator and want to be both author and illustrator, you’ll need to study the craft of illustrating as much as that of writing. If you are hoping to do both, you’ll still not submit a fully illustrated manuscript, because the illustration requirements will change through the editing process. Instead you’ll submit one or two sample illustrations, along with sketches or a storyboard. Submitting your manuscript with ready drawn illustrations by your friend/neighbour/whatever can actually dissuade the publisher from accepting your book.

8. You are printing your manuscript on hot pink paper and stuffing the envelope with glitter. Bright colours and glittery stuff will definitely draw attention to your manuscript – but for all the wrong reasons. An editor who has just had glitter splashed across her desk (and into her cup of coffee) is going to take notice of that manuscript – because it has drawn her ire. Glitter and coloured paper aside, bells and whistles do not show a story to be publishable. Good quality writing, presented professionally in accordance with the publisher’s submission guidelines, is what will impress.

9. You have not read (and followed) the publisher’s submission guidelines. Publishers prepare submission guidelines for a simple reason – they want to see them followed. These guidelines, generally available on the publisher’s website, spell out how they want you to submit your manuscript – and they should be followed. If the publisher asks you to submit by mail, don’t email. If they ask for double spacing, don’t use single or 1.5. Some requirements may seem silly to you, but refusing to follow them suggests to the publisher that you don’t want to do things their way. If you can’t follow their direction at the submission stage, they are likely to wonder how you will respond to direction during the editing process.

10. Every time you reread your manuscript you make another change. I’ve left this one until last because I believe it’s the big one (and actually echoes number one). Put your manuscript aside for a week. If, when you pick it up, you can see changes that need to be made, make them. Then put it aside for another week. Or a month. Don’t send it out until it’s perfect. You only have one shot with each publisher, so don’t send them a manuscript that is not as good as you can possibly make it. If you see a major plot flaw, or even a handful of spelling errors three months after you’ve submitted, it is too late then to change it.

If any of the above ten criteria describes you/your manuscript, consider taking the time to rectify the problem BEFORE you submit. And, when you finish your next manuscript, take a deep breath, remember that the publisher is not going anywhere, and wait until it is truly ready to be submitted.