Want to Get Published? Read This Before You Hit Send

If you're dreaming of getting published, there’s one thing you should do before you submit your manuscript: Listen to what editors really want.

In a recent episode of Read and Write with Natasha, I spoke with Elizabeth Briggs, Editorial Director at Saqi Books, who gave me some of the most candid, practical advice I’ve ever heard about the publishing process.

Tatttoo This

Here are a few gems that every aspiring author should tattoo on their brain:

• Editors read submissions on their phones: Use 1.5 line spacing and clean formatting. If your doc is hard to read, it won’t get read.

• Don’t overwrite: Beautiful prose means nothing if there’s no clarity or emotional truth. Resist the urge to show off—focus on connection.

• Ask: Why would a stranger care about this story? If you can’t answer that, go back and revise. Being personal doesn’t always mean being compelling.

• Kill your darlings: Even the most meaningful scenes or anecdotes must earn their place in the manuscript.

• Most submissions are rejected—not because they’re bad, but because the editor doesn’t love them enough to fight for them: This isn’t a judgment of quality. It’s about passion and fit.

• Not every story needs to be a book: Maybe it’s an essay, a podcast, or a Substack series. Respect the shape your story wants to take.

• The editor is your first reader: Respect their time. Make it unforgettable from page one.

If you're serious about getting your book published, you need to hear this conversation. It’s raw, insightful, and packed with truth bombs.

🎧 Don’t miss this fascinating conversation.

You can listen to the full episode on Read and Write with Natasha:

Or you can watch the whole epsiode on Youtube