When Your Manuscript is Ready to Submit:

You have let it sit after the thrill of finishing the first draft (two months or more).

You have had at least one other (non-family member) read the book and give you comments (other than—I love this, good job!).

You have done at least two rounds of revision based partly on what other people think needs to be fixed from the book and partly on what you now see is wrong with the book after rereading it several times. If you can't see anything wrong with it yourself, you may not be realistic enough to get published.

You have read at least three books published in the last year in the same genre as the book you wish to publish and think it stands up well to the other books.

You cannot think of anything left you wish to change. If there is something left you feel uncertain about, fix it.

You have read it completely through one last time before either hitting send or printing it out and mailing it.

Things You DON'T need to submit a manuscript:

Pay for a professional copy-editor to clean up your manuscript (this does not include paying a professional to give you a developmental critique, which can often be a good idea).

Make it absolutely perfect in every way. As good as you can make it is close enough.

Love it more than your first child.