You have a problem: you need to get a publisher’s attention to sell your book. How do you do it?

The obvious answer is, “submit a story,” but that is simplistic given the publishing business’ realities.

The key is the “what” an author submits. Quality is everything, volume nothing. One rock solid submission that has been honed to diamond-like perfection is far better than a manuscript blizzard belched forth at bulk mail rates. You, the writer, are applying for a job, and the submittal process deserves all the care and attention a job search entails.

Envision your book as a detailed resume. Would you send it to a prospective employer riddled with misspellings, typos, and grammatical errors? Not if you expected to be taken seriously, of course. You would spend countless hours polishing, and perfecting that resume until it gleamed like a sharpened sword, ready for battle. The analogy is not that far-fetched because you are in a battle: your adversaries are the millions of other authors who think they have written the ultimate book.

Once you’ve perfected your resume, what’s next? An enthralling cover letter.

Your book’s synopsis is its cover letter. It must be concise, on message, and executed flawlessly. The plot, story arc, and characters must be clear and easily understood. Have several people, who are not familiar with your work, read your synopsis. If they can’t decipher what your book’s about, then you don’t know what it’s about either. If you can’t communicate and teach a subject, you do not understand that subject.

Should you attach an actual cover letter to your submission? A case can be made for doing so or not. If you choose to provide one, make sure it is brief (two paragraphs at most), and addressed directly to a specific person at the publisher in question. State your business case for the book: what market it fulfills, how it is better than its competition, and why it is a good fit for that publisher’s product line. Do not waste page space on how much you love your cat, and how popular you are at the local writer’s workshop.

Getting a publisher’s attention is difficult. If you tender a low quality submission package, it is all but impossible, and you won’t be invited back.