Tips to Make Your Manuscript Stand Out

I’m trying to figure out if it’s best to use designer perfume to scent the pages of my manuscript and cover letter or if it’s okay to just go with a perfume from Target?


The more expensive the perfume, the better. The stronger the scent, the more I will enjoy reading your submission. Don’t be stingy. Douse that thing. Or better yet, soak your paper in it over night, then line dry it before using it to print your manuscript. And if you have any left over, put the rest of the bottle in the package as a bribe.

Do I really need to give a serious answer to this? Yes, apparently I do, because I sometimes get scented submissions–particularly romance submissions.

I have also received submissions with:

  • the query letter hand-written in purple ink
  • the entire mss printed on neon paper
  • the entire mss printed in a calligraphy font (or script; or Curlz; or…)
  • confetti that explodes out of the envelope when you open it

no, No, NO, NOOOO, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Author: LDS Publisher

I am an anonymous blogger who works in the LDS publishing industry. I blog about topics that help authors seeking publication and about published fiction by LDS authors.

3 thoughts on “Tips to Make Your Manuscript Stand Out”

  1. UNbeLIEVable! Do people really think those antics are going to turn the tables in their FAVOR?

    Good grief, people, do your homework!

  2. Actually, this particular question (and several more to follow) was submitted to the contest, going for the “Made Me Spew My Drink While Laughing” category. It worked.

    But I have absolutely, cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die, received SERIOUS scented submissions and all of the other bulleted descriptions. Plus some.

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