What Really Happens After You Submit Your Manuscript

You clicked “send” on your manuscript, and suddenly the world feels quiet. Hours turn into days, days into weeks, and your mind starts spinning: Did they like it? Did I mess something up?

Here’s the good news: the post-submission process is more structured and less mysterious than it feels. Understanding what happens behind the scenes can calm your nerves and help you use this time productively.

1. Your Manuscript Enters the Review Queue

The first step is straightforward: your submission is logged, assigned a tracking number, and placed in the publisher’s queue. Every submission is reviewed with care—there’s no instant judgment.

Actionable Tip: Create a submission tracker spreadsheet to log:

• Publisher

• Date submitted

• Expected review time

• Notes or follow-up actions

  
  

Mini Experiment: Update your tracker weekly instead of obsessively checking your inbox. It keeps perspective and reduces stress.

2. Initial Read: The Gatekeeper Phase

Editors first determine if your manuscript aligns with the publisher’s focus, genre, and standards. This phase is about fit, clarity, and voice.

Actionable Tip: If your work is polished and clearly targeted, it passes this gatekeeper phase faster. Spend the waiting period reflecting on your manuscript’s strongest elements.

Example: One editor reported that manuscripts with clear focus and a unique voice moved straight to deeper evaluation, while vague submissions often stalled.

3. Deeper Evaluation: Content and Potential

If your manuscript resonates, it moves to a more thorough review. Editors analyze:

• Story structure

• Character development (if fiction)

• Theme clarity

• Market potential

  
  

At this stage, they may also consider future marketing opportunities, such as audience appeal and how your book complements other titles.

Actionable Tip: Use this time to research similar books, so if your manuscript moves forward, you’ll be ready for discussions on positioning and promotion.

4. Possible Outcomes

There are generally three paths after review:

1. Accepted or offered revisions – Congratulations! Editors may request small changes or discuss adjustments for market alignment.

2. Not a fit – Timing, genre, or market alignment may not match. This doesn’t reflect your value as a writer.

3. Request for more information – Sometimes editors ask for additional chapters or clarifications before deciding.

   
   

Mini Experiment: Mentally prepare for each outcome. Write down responses to:

• “If accepted, what’s my next step?”

• “If revisions are requested, how will I respond?”

• “If rejected, what’s my learning opportunity?”

5. The Importance of Patience and Perspective

Waiting can be uncomfortable, but remember: submissions are about relationships. Editors want to understand your work, not rush it. Patience shows professionalism and respect for the process.

Actionable Tip: Schedule productive activities while waiting:

• Start a new writing project

• Research marketing strategies for your genre

• Network with fellow writers

  
  

Mini Experiment: Treat the waiting period as a “creative incubation phase.” This mindset reduces anxiety and keeps momentum going.

6. Using Feedback (Even From Rejection)

If your manuscript isn’t accepted, it’s not a judgment of your talent—it’s about alignment. Many successful authors faced multiple rejections before finding the right fit.

Actionable Tip: Keep an open mind and use any feedback as a roadmap for improvement. Treat each response as a learning opportunity rather than a failure.

Example: J.K. Rowling’s early Harry Potter manuscripts were rejected by several publishers before finding the right home. Persistence and alignment mattered more than instant acceptance.

Wrap-Up – Mastering the Post-Submission Phase

Here’s your post-submission checklist:

1. Track your submissions systematically.

2. Understand the stages your manuscript will go through.

3. Prepare for possible outcomes and responses.

4. Use waiting time productively with writing or research.

5. Treat any feedback as a chance to improve.

   
   

Remember: publishing is a process, not a single moment. By understanding what happens after submission, you can reduce anxiety, stay productive, and position yourself for success.

✅ Next Steps:

• Update your submission tracker

• Start a small, unrelated writing project

• Reflect on your manuscript’s strengths and opportunities