01
What is a simultaneous submission?
A simultaneous submission occurs when an author submits the same manuscript, book proposal or sample chapters to more than one publisher or literary agent during the same period.
For example, an author may submit a completed novel to five appropriate independent publishers in July rather than waiting several months for the first publisher to respond before approaching the second.
Simultaneous submission does not mean sending an indiscriminate mass email to hundreds of publishers. Each submission should still be properly researched and adapted to the recipient’s list, genre and requirements.
Key term
Simultaneous submission
A non-exclusive submission in which the same work is being considered by several publishers or agents at approximately the same time.
02
Is submitting to multiple publishers acceptable?
It is often acceptable, particularly when publishers have long response times and have not requested exclusivity.
Authors may otherwise spend years moving through a list one publisher at a time. If ten publishers each take three months to respond, sequential submission could consume two and a half years even before revisions or contract discussions begin.
Simultaneous submissions allow an author to conduct a focused and professional search without granting one organisation an indefinite advantage merely because it received the manuscript first.
Follow the recipient’s submission guidelines. Do not assume that a practice accepted by one publisher is accepted by another.
03
What is an exclusive submission?
An exclusive submission gives one publisher or agent a defined opportunity to evaluate the work without the author submitting it elsewhere during that period.
Exclusivity may be requested when:
- an editor has asked to see the manuscript after a personal discussion
- the publisher has expressed serious preliminary interest
- substantial editorial feedback has already been given
- the work is being considered through a competition or special submission programme
- the publisher’s written submission rules require it
An exclusive submission should not remain open-ended. The author should understand how long the exclusivity lasts and what happens when the period ends.
A practical exclusivity statement
“I am pleased to grant exclusive consideration of the manuscript until 30 September 2026. If I have not received a decision or request for additional time by that date, I will consider the exclusive period concluded.”
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Simultaneous and exclusive submissions compared
| Question | Simultaneous submission | Exclusive submission |
|---|---|---|
| Can other publishers receive the work? | Yes, unless another restriction applies. | Not during the agreed exclusive period. |
| Must the author disclose it? | Disclose when the guidelines request it or when circumstances materially change. | The exclusivity should be expressly agreed and recorded. |
| How long does it last? | Until the manuscript is withdrawn, declined or accepted. | Until the stated deadline or agreed event. |
| Can the author accept another offer? | Yes, subject to promptly withdrawing other submissions. | Not if doing so would breach the agreed exclusivity. |
| Main advantage | Faster and broader consideration. | May encourage focused attention from an interested recipient. |
| Main risk | Poor record-keeping or mishandling competing interest. | Losing time through an excessively long or unclear review period. |
05
Check the guidelines before every submission
Submission requirements differ not only between publishing houses but sometimes between imprints within the same group.
Before submitting, check:
- whether unsolicited submissions are accepted
- whether the publisher accepts your genre
- whether a literary agent is required
- whether submissions may be simultaneous
- whether exclusive review is requested
- whether disclosure is required
- which documents must be sent
- the expected response time
- whether non-response means rejection
- how to withdraw a submission
Guidelines may change. Consult the publisher’s current official website rather than relying only on an old directory entry, social-media post or third-party list.
06
How many publishers should you approach?
There is no ideal number that applies to every manuscript. Quality of targeting matters more than the size of the list.
A practical approach is to work in carefully researched batches. An initial batch might contain five to ten publishers or agents whose lists genuinely match the manuscript.
This allows the author to:
- manage correspondence accurately
- assess the quality of the submission package
- identify recurring reasons for rejection
- revise the query or synopsis before the next batch
- avoid exhausting every suitable option immediately
Best-aligned recipients
Approach publishers or agents with a strong and recent record in your category.
Assess responses
Examine requests, rejections and silence before changing the submission package.
Refined submissions
Send the improved package to another carefully selected group.
07
Why mass submission is different
A simultaneous submission strategy should not become an indiscriminate mass mailing exercise.
Sending the same generic email to dozens or hundreds of recipients can create several problems:
- publishers are approached outside their subject areas
- recipient names or company details are incorrect
- attachments fail to follow stated requirements
- the author cannot track responses reliably
- conflicting promises may be made
- legitimate interest may be overlooked
- the submission resembles spam
A smaller, better-researched list normally produces a more credible submission and a more useful response.
08
Keep a manuscript submission tracker
Once several publishers are involved, accurate record-keeping becomes essential.
Your tracker should include:
Publishing house and imprint name
Editor, agent or submissions department
The exact submission date
Query, proposal, sample or complete manuscript
Simultaneous, exclusive or requested
Published or agreed review time
Submitted, acknowledged, requested, declined or withdrawn
Follow-up date or required document
09
Must you disclose simultaneous submissions?
Disclose them when the submission guidelines ask you to do so. Even where disclosure is not compulsory, a brief statement can prevent misunderstanding.
Optional query-letter wording
“This is a simultaneous submission. I will notify you promptly if the manuscript is accepted for publication elsewhere.”
Do not claim that the manuscript is exclusive when it is being reviewed elsewhere. A false statement can damage professional trust even if no contract has yet been signed.
10
What if a publisher requests the full manuscript?
A request for the complete manuscript is encouraging, but it does not automatically create exclusivity.
Check whether the publisher has expressly requested exclusive consideration. If no such request has been made, the manuscript may generally remain under consideration elsewhere, subject to the applicable guidelines.
When another publisher already has the complete manuscript, you may state:
Full-manuscript response
“Thank you for requesting the complete manuscript. I am pleased to send it for your consideration. The manuscript is also under review elsewhere, and I will inform you promptly if its availability changes.”
11
What should you do when one publisher makes an offer?
Do not immediately sign without understanding the proposal. An expression of interest, publication proposal and final publishing agreement are not necessarily the same thing.
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1
Confirm the offer in writing
Ask for the proposed publishing model, rights, costs, royalties, services and timetable.
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2
Request reasonable review time
A legitimate offer should allow time to study the agreement and obtain advice.
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3
Notify other interested recipients
Publishers or agents actively reviewing the manuscript should be told that an offer has been received.
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4
Set a clear response deadline
Give other recipients a reasonable date by which to confirm whether they wish to continue.
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5
Compare the complete terms
Evaluate editorial fit, rights, royalties, costs, distribution, reputation and contractual protection.
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6
Withdraw remaining submissions
Once you accept and sign a binding agreement, promptly notify every other recipient.
12
How to notify other publishers about an offer
Keep the message factual and professional. You do not need to create artificial pressure or disclose confidential contract details.
Offer notification
“I am writing to let you know that I have received a publication offer for [Book Title]. As the manuscript is currently under consideration with you, I wanted to provide an opportunity to complete your review. I would be grateful for an indication of your position by [date].”
A publisher may decline, request additional time or accelerate its decision. None of these responses obliges the author to accept a particular proposal.
13
How do you withdraw a manuscript?
Withdraw promptly once the manuscript is no longer available or you decide not to continue with a recipient.
Withdrawal wording
“Thank you for considering [Book Title]. I am writing to withdraw the manuscript because it is no longer available for publication. I appreciate your time and consideration.”
Do not simply disappear after accepting another offer. Withdrawal allows editors to close their records and stop investing time in the submission.
14
Can you query several literary agents at once?
Authors commonly query several suitable literary agents, provided each agent’s guidelines permit it.
Many major trade publishers do not routinely accept unsolicited manuscripts directly from authors. In those markets, approaching literary agents may be the normal route to publishers.
The same principles apply:
- research the agent’s list and interests
- follow the requested query format
- respect any exclusive full-manuscript request
- keep an accurate tracker
- notify agents promptly when an offer of representation arises
- withdraw other queries after selecting representation
Authors should normally avoid submitting directly to a publisher when an agent is already submitting the same manuscript on their behalf unless that strategy has been discussed and agreed.
15
What about publishers in India?
Indian publishing houses use different acquisition models. Some accept direct unsolicited manuscripts, while others work mainly through agents, referrals, commissioned projects or specific submission periods.
Authors should not assume that every publisher follows the same practice. The appropriate approach depends on the publisher, imprint, genre and programme.
For an Indian submission, verify:
- the official website and business identity
- the accepted languages and genres
- whether complete manuscripts are accepted
- whether the publisher offers traditional, hybrid or paid services
- whether simultaneous submission is allowed
- whether identity and authorship declarations are required
- how the proposal and agreement define rights and payments
A publication offer should be assessed on its actual financial and contractual terms, not solely on the label used by the publisher.
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Common mistakes to avoid
Submitting elsewhere during an expressly agreed exclusive period.
Sending the manuscript to organisations that do not publish the genre.
Exposing recipient addresses or failing to personalise the submission.
Forgetting where, when and in what form the manuscript was submitted.
Inventing an offer in an attempt to pressure a publisher.
Accepting the first proposal without studying rights, royalties or costs.
Leaving the manuscript active elsewhere after signing a publication agreement.
Treating a request for chapters or a meeting as a final publication commitment.
Publisher’s Practical Advice
Submit broadly enough to make progress, but narrowly enough to remain professional
A manuscript does not become more publishable because it has been sent to a hundred publishers. The best submission strategy combines thoughtful targeting with disciplined record-keeping.
Approach publishers whose lists genuinely fit the work. Follow their individual instructions, disclose simultaneous submissions when required, and never promise exclusivity to more than one recipient.
When serious interest arises, slow down. Study the publisher, programme and contract before deciding where the manuscript belongs.
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Key takeaways
Authors may generally approach several recipients unless exclusivity has been required or agreed.
Each publisher or agent may impose different conditions.
Avoid indefinite exclusive review periods.
A researched group is more effective than a mass mailing.
Record dates, recipients, materials, conditions and status.
Communicate when an offer arrives or the manuscript is withdrawn.