Manuscript Submission

Johanna M. Bates Literary Consultants, Inc. has rigorous standards for the manuscripts we will represent. If your manuscript is pornographic, libelous, hurtful to women, children or minority groups, do NOT send it to us. While we understand that violence, profanity and sexuality are occasionally necessary in telling a good story, there are limits to how much is morally acceptable. Manuscripts that exceed those limits will be refused for representation and returned to the author.

It is very important that your manuscript be submitted in proper format. The following guidelines should be read carefully prior to mailing or e-mailing your intellectual property:

  1. The manuscript should be unbound;
  2. It should be printed on one side only;
  3. Use inexpensive 8.5 inch by 11 inch white bond—using expensive bond will not enhance the quality of the writing;
  4. Use 12 to 14 point font, preferably in Times New Roman;
  5. Leave a one inch margin on the top, bottom, left and right;
  6. Double space the entire manuscript;
  7. Each page must be numbered sequentially;
  8. No electronic format unless requested by the agent—a $0.20/page fee will be charged for downloading;
  9. Do NOT use postage-metered stamps as they are time sensitive;
  10. Provide an SASE—self-addressed, stamped envelope—using Canadian stamps with enough postage for the return of the manuscript plus the evaluation.

Please allow six to eight weeks for an evaluation.

Please note that international manuscripts will usually be sent by Fedex or Purolator at the client’s cost. All costs of this nature will be pre-arranged with the client’s permission.

All manuscript evaluations must be pre-paid in Canadian funds. Please include the 5% Goods and Services tax (GST). Please note that authors who are not Canadian usually cannot be submitted to Canadian publishing houses.