Ten Things Not to Do to Make Your Manuscript Stand Out

Print it on specially colored paper.

Turn one of your pages upside down to see if the editor read that far.

Send it in with a bribe of some kind, like chocolate.

Declare that your kids and the neighbor's kids love your book.

Threaten the editor or agent.

Describe the publishing industry as a waste of time.

Diss books the agent or editor has published. Or diss books that have made a lot of money.

Talk about your book in vague terms, with no specifics.

Compliment yourself on how great your book is and how many copies it will sell.

End your letter with the words, “You don't want to miss out on this once in a lifetime chance” that sounds like something a car dealer would say.