What about copyright protection?Your copyright is not affected by uploading your manuscript to Creative Byline or using our process for submission. Your copyright was established when you created an original work in tangible form—that is, you wrote it down.
Can anyone see my writing on Creative Byline?No. Your information is secure, shared only when you decide it's ready. When you choose to submit your work, it will be viewed by a Creative Byline first reader and, when approved, by the editor you select.
Are there costs involved with using Creative Byline?Yes. You can start your work with a free Introductory Membership. To take full advantage of our services, subscribe as an Inclusive Member for $99 a year ($29 per quarter). As an Inclusive Member, you can choose between three levels of first reader reviews, ranging from $15 to $199. There is no charge for submitting to editors, but you must have a first reader endorsement in order to do so. Our quality assurance is what keeps editors interested and active in our community.
As an Inclusive Member you'll also receive market data for your genre. That can be helpful to understand editors' decisions. The quality of a manuscript alone doesn't, unfortunately, guarantee a sale. Publishers are looking for books that will sell.
And finally, as an additional benefit, we offer discounts through our WriteGoods program on things we know writers buy: office supplies from Staples, books from Barnes & Noble, and subscriptions to
Poets & Writers magazine. Depending on your purchasing habits, these discounts can significantly offset your subscription investment.
Does it matter that I haven’t published before?Nope. Creative Byline is a terrific avenue for unpublished writers, because the editors who use our service know that the manuscripts have been screened for quality and targeted for genre. Some editors prefer to look only at manuscripts from published writers, but you’ll know from the outset that the editors our system identifies for your project don't have that preference.
What do first readers do? What are their qualifications?Creative Byline first readers work in a way similar to first readers at a publishing house: They make sure that manuscripts submitted are ready to be seen by an editor (which is why editors value the Creative Byline process). The difference with Creative Byline first readers is that they are able to take the time to give
feedback to writers, to point them in the right direction for completing or polishing their work.The first thing they look at is the quality of the writing; beyond that, their criteria vary by genre. For adult non-fiction, for example, they’ll look for credible, useful information. For children’s fiction, they’ll look at age-appropriateness. And they’ll help you identify the genre that will get it to the right editor when you’re ready for that step.
That's at the Basic Review level. If you'd like more detailed feedback or suggestions for improvement, you can also select an Intermediate or Consultative Review. With that last option, you'll have a phone conversation mid-way through the review and revision process, so you can make sure that the feedback is clear or brainstorm ideas.
Our first readers have subject-matter expertise, advanced degrees in creative writing, another literature-related field, or a specific content area (especially appropriate for reviewing nonfiction), and/or experience in trade book publishing. First readers have been trained in our process and have been carefully screened; you can be confident in their ability to deliver reliable and authoritative initial feedback on your work.
Do I need to submit anything with the manuscript for the first reader?
Depending on the type of manuscript you've written, you may be asked to submit additional materials, like an outline or synopsis, to create a comprehensive query package.
Can I communicate directly with the first readers?We think it’s important to the objectivity of first reviews that we not have direct interaction between writers and first readers, except as part of a Consultative Review.
Can I change my manuscript after I've uploaded it?Yes, you can revise as often as you like--until you've submitted it to a first reader or editor and are waiting for a response.
How many manuscripts can I have in the system at one time?
Introductory Memberships include capacity for uploading up to ten manuscripts. For Inclusive Members, you get to decide. We don’t have a capacity limit.
What would I submit to an editor?It depends on the genre of your project. In all cases, your portfolio will be available to the editor, and you can write an appropriate cover letter for each editor and submission. For a children's picture book, editors want to see a synopsis and the complete manuscript. For longer fiction, you'll submit a synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline, and the first three chapters of the manuscript. And for nonfiction, you can add marketing information and sample supporting charts or graphics. Our web site guides you through the pieces to assemble as soon as you've identified the genre of your project.
How do I deal with rules about simultaneous submissions?Our system doesn’t allow simultaneous submissions. The typical response time (currently averaging 9 days), though, means you’re not waiting for months to get an answer before you can take your next step.
What if I don’t get a response from an editor?If you see that the first editor hasn’t reviewed your manuscript within three weeks of submission, submit the manuscript to another editor. There is no charge for manuscript submissions to editors, and no limit to the number of interested editors you may submit a project to.
Can I contact editors directly?The system puts you in direct contact with editors—as you submit manuscripts that match what they’re looking for. Individual editors provide as much contact information as they choose, according to the way they like to work. In any case, the editor who receives your manuscript will have everything he or she needs to evaluate your work and contact you.
Can I send you a manuscript by snail mail?No. The Creative Byline model works because it takes advantage of technology--for storing, delivering, and tracking documents.
Does Creative Byline work with magazine, periodical, or online publishers?We plan to! But in our start-up, we’re focusing on book manuscripts and publishing.
Does Creative Byline work with vanity presses?No. Creative Byline supports the writing community by connecting them with publishers who pay writers for their work.
Can I sign up with different names?Creative Byline's terms and conditions require that you submit documents under your own name, and that you are the author or coauthor of the work. We're interested in protecting writers' ownership of their work. Having one account also means that you can see the status of all of your work in one place.