Writers often seek the answer to how to write a manuscript that stands out from the clutter and has a higher chance of getting published. There is no harm in admitting the fact that as a writer, you love the story you create. After all, if you don't, how else could you convince others that it's worth reading, right?

But getting a book published is a whole another dimension and takes a higher level of scrutiny to access the commercial appeal of your work that all writers much go through regardless of how nerve-wracking it may be.

So, let's flip the question around a bit. What were you searching for when you last entered a bookstore or library? Perhaps it was an article about a certain book interested you, or your friend suggested something. It could be that your child likes trains or dinosaurs and fairy-tale princesses.

However, if you're presented with a variety of books on the subject that you're interested in, which one is the one you'll select? We'll bet that it's the one that pleases either you or your child. It's the one that has beautiful words, amazing insights, and humor. One that, whatever the reason, is captivating. It will make readers want to read it again.

Editors are seeking similar things. They want something that enthralls and amazes them and will make them sit up and pay attention or move them a certain way. They may be searching for manuscripts on specific topics or in a certain category. However, once the requirement is met, it's that manuscript they like that's the one they'd like to publish.

So in this blog, we'll share some insightful tips on how to write a manuscript for a book that stands out! You can also check out our detailed article that provides insights into 15 awesome tips for authors to get their manuscript accepted.

Have Your Own Unique Writing Voice

Certain bestselling authors like Stephen King, Dan Brown, and Sydney Sheldon have distinctive voices. You only have to read a few paragraphs to identify their signature tone. Discovering your writing voice can help you reach new levels as a unique writer.

Before starting on your writing project, you should ask yourself why you are this piece of fiction or non-fiction? Then, determine your point of view and pick a consistent voice for your narrators.

Analyze Your Manuscript From a Buyer’s Perspective

The publication is also an enterprise. Much is based on concrete facts, like which amount the novel is likely to cost to create, what number of copies sales thinks they can sell, or which amount of revenue the department for subsidiary rights thinks they will earn.

The decision to release books is taken at the point where business, art and taste meet. The only method to be certain that the work is noticed is to write an outstanding manuscript.

A good example is that an approach that doesn't consider the publisher and readers' view can lead to inconsistent messages. Don't let the publishers receive contradictory or mixed complex messages that they have to decipher in your writing. For instance, does the story befit the genre, or are the characters’ narratives making sense?

Your interaction through your manuscript should be simple, and your content should aid them in getting what they need when they need it and in a way that they can comprehend. If you don't offer them what they need, they'll look elsewhere to find what they want. Additionally, understanding the perspective of your buyer isn't a one-time thing. It is a continuous process.

Edit, Edit and Edit

Don't edit while you write, and do it once you're done with the book. The truth is one of the most difficult things you'll do as a writer is edit your own work. You'll be forced to confront the scenes that you've adored and fought over in bed at night while pondering the plot and then eliminate those scenes. It's brutal, we know!

If you're looking for a slim text that doesn't lose itself and provides a pleasing story to your readers, you'll need to become familiar with to "delete" button. It's crucial to study and follow some of the most effective methods to edit your own manuscript before submitting it to an expert edit.

Format Your Manuscript Correctly

The manuscript's essential requirements are clear and well-written sentences, good grammar, and a coherent structure. Without these, the manuscript won't have the chance of being published. Besides, grammar and punctuation errors are only the start. Make sure you write your most impressive work. Make sure you spell check!

Read It Aloud

When you read your manuscript aloud, you're likely to catch certain grammar and spelling mistakes. One of the main motives to have your text read aloud is to look for tone and pacing. Sometimes, auto-correction can be done when you're reading in silence and reading the manuscript yourself at a normal pace and identifying errors you couldn't spot earlier.

Take Feedback From an Impartial Reader

You'll need an independent reader here. It can't be anyone from your family and friends circle, but someone who doesn't have to worry about looking across the dinner table at you after their feedback. 

Beta-readers is one of the local writer's clubs, and even websites like Critters can aid you in connecting with people who will tell you the honest truth without fearing that you'll get your feelings hurt.

If you can't handle their criticism, then you should probably think twice before diving into mainstream writing. Yes, this kind of feedback is extremely subjective. This is publishing for all. However, if a stranger is enthusiastic about your book, it could signify that you're onto something great. If they aren't, their comments could be what you need to make your book into a bestseller.

Write Well

This one is a no brainer! Writing well is of the utmost importance. You can work around themes and subjects that you're comfortable with and have ample knowledge of but put a different twist on it. You can take inspiration from your own experiences in life and turn them into something unique, different and believable. Check out this blog to find some amazing tips to improve your writing skills.

Ensure Adherence to Submission Guidelines

Publishing houses will inform you of how they would like you to make your submission and sample pages. But, most of the time, each of them also has a particular manner in which they'd like you to send them your work. So here's what we would recommend:

• Go to the submissions page on their site and find out the requirements.
• Next, locate the bio for those you'd like to submit your information to. If they've got specific submission guidelines, you should follow the guidelines. If they don't, you can go by the general submission guidelines.

Write a Formal Yet Intriguing Email Subject Line

If you consider it, your subject line is the first thing the submission department encounters. So, it is important to give a positive first impression. Each publishing house usually has a preferred format for the subject lines they like (make sure to read the submission guidelines of each agency on their website to determine what they are). If, however, there aren't any guidelines, here's an alternative for a standard subject line:

Query: [Manuscript Title], [genre] (Attn: [name of the agent/editor])

P.S. Always make sure to get the agent or editor's name right.

We hope that you find our tips on and tricks useful on how to write a manuscript for a book, and they will come in handy as you work on your manuscript. Follow us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and keep yourself updated about all our new releases.