A Guide to Managing and Avoiding the Slush Pile

In the literary world, the term slush pile refers to a stack of unread, unsolicited manuscripts or queries from aspiring novelists. When you or your agent cold-submits your works for consideration to a publishing house, it may end up in the slush pile. Outside contractors, interns, or assistants are usually tasked with navigating the slush pile, which contains writings of various quality, skill, and length. Though it is often filled with beginner or amateur writers, the slush pile is a place where hidden talent can be found.

It is a daunting task for any editor to get through the slush pile. Having a plan in place for the task can help. For some tips on getting through that growing slush pile, see below.

1. 1. Make your submission terms very clear. When you create an open opportunity for new writers to submit, you’ll get a ton of submissions from all kinds of writers, many of them first-timers. Clearly state what you’re looking for in your submission guidelines. Specify the genre, length, and any other details that will help whittle down the number of submittable texts that your company will receive.
2. 2. Eliminate the ones that don’t fit. For unsolicited submissions, it helps to have a team of readers sifting through works and eliminating those that do not fit the publisher’s or agency’s guidelines. This can help you get through the slush pile more efficiently.
3. 3. Read as many pages as you need to. Don’t feel compelled to read every manuscript front to back. Give each author a fair chance by reading enough pages of their manuscript to get a taste. Discard something the moment you know that it won’t work for your establishment.
4. 4. Keep the submission period short. If you let authors submit to you for months at a time, you will become overwhelmed with submissions. Only allow submissions for a set amount of time. Make it clear to your submitters that once the deadline has passed, no other submissions will be accepted.
5. 5. Create acceptance and rejection letter templates. In some cases, customized form replies to particular entries may help save time than personally typing out every response to writers.

Coldly submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers can be overwhelming. Many large publishing establishments will not even consider unsolicited queries, so the ones that do may find themselves inundated with new authors to read. For writers, it’s important to write a manuscript that stands out and sets you apart from the rest of the pile.

1. 1. Write an excellent query letter. For novelists, a query letter is the first thing a literary agent or publisher is going to read about you and your work. Crafting a compelling pitch and synopsis, personalizing your letter, and selling yourself well are all important components of a potentially successful query letter that can turn you into a successful author.
2. 2. Write a compelling introduction. Some readers will decide by the first, fifth, or tenth page that your manuscript is worth continuing to read. Make sure the first few pages of your manuscript grabs their attention, regardless of the genre. Keep your audience on their toes, or draw them in with powerful anecdotes that make them want to keep them reading.
3. 3. Proofread. Always triple-check your writing and query letters to ensure that there are no typos. Keep an eye out for any possible revisions that could potentially benefit your narrative. Allow someone that you trust to read your work and try to find any possible errors that could get you tossed aside.
4. 4. Try not to get discouraged. Every submission is a new chance to have your work read by someone who can take you to the next level in your writing career. Keep up the quality in all of your submission letters. It’s possible that someday you’ll catch the attention of your next agent or publisher. You don't know when the right person will come across your work.

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