[Anthony Casale Posts: 9 Status: Offline]

Hello, all! I have a PB manuscript that I'm getting ready to send as an unsolicited MS to five different publishers. This is my first time doing this, so I'm wondering to whom I should address the submission. I tried calling all five publishers to see if someone could answer that question, but only one publisher, Sleeping Bear Press, actually picked up the phone; they told me that "Dear Editors" is fine.

I checked The Book, and for two of my publishers (Albert Whitman and Chronicle) there are a number of names listed. In these cases, would "Dear Editors" be acceptable?

For the other two, I only found one name each:

Creston Books
PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Marissa Moss

Innovation Press
PUBLISHER: Asia Citro

I did some Googling and can't find any other editor names associated with these two houses. Can anyone confirm that these are the individuals to whom I can address my submissions?

This is all still so new to me, so I appreciate any insights you all may have. Thanks so much!

[JulieM Posts: 986 Status: Offline WWW]

Hi Anthony,
Sometimes getting a sub together can take as long as writing the book, can't it? It's not easy, but you have made a great start. I have the same two names as you for Creston and Innovation, but I always do a google search of the name and publisher (together) to check to my best knowledge if the editor has moved on before submission. When there are a number of names listed (as you've mentioned from in The Book), you could either do as you've suggested, or research each name on a search engine to determine which editor is the best fit for your ms. Eg who concentrates on YA, who likes PBs, who likes social issues, who likes nature, etc.
I hope this helps.
Julie.
PS After all the research you've done, put your results into a database to make it easier next time you submit. Gradually you'll grow quite a useful list, although you'll still need to double check they haven't moved on each time before you submit, and update your list as required. Best of luck.

[dewsanddamps Posts: 2,302 Status: Offline]

Anthony, JulieM has given you good advice here. Just one more thing to mention--you don't want to call a publisher. They would much rather get a ms with a poorly-targeted salutation than answer a phone call from everyone sending a ms.
 

[christripp Posts: 1,211 Status: Offline WWW]

Editors change publishers often, so even if you have a name from a source printed a yr ago, it could easily be out of date by the next yr. If unsure, there is nothing wrong with addressing your sub to "PB Editor" or "PB Acquisitions", for examples.
I also find Twitter helpful. Most Editors are on Twitter and using your example of " Creston Books
PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Marissa Moss", I find Marissa (as an Author) is there, plus a search of "Creston Books Editor" turns up Tweets also by Marissa, who was/is also the founder and lists a link to her web site. So in that presses case, addressing to Marissa turns out to be a safe bet.
Also great help to follow Editors on Twitter, to see their likes in PB's.
But really, in the end, it's a good query & manuscript that will get their attention, not your use of their proper name, don't be too worried about that

[Ree Posts: 370 Status: Offline No Boxes WWW]

I agree with the above. A great story will get attention regardless of how it is addressed.

Ree

[Anthony Casale Posts: 9 Status: Offline]

Thank you JulieM, dewsanddamps, christripp, and Ree - this is all very helpful to me. I will heed your advice and get to work submitting my MS. Thanks so much!