Wholemanuscript

Wholemanuscript is a term used in publishing and academia to refer to a complete, unsolicited manuscript submitted for consideration by a publisher or agent. This contrasts with partial submissions, which typically include a cover letter, synopsis, and a portion of the manuscript, such as the first three chapters. Publishers and agents often have specific guidelines regarding manuscript submissions, and it is crucial for authors to adhere to these requirements.

Submitting a wholemanuscript allows editors and agents to review the entire work in its intended form, providing a comprehensive understanding of the narrative, character development, and overall quality. This can be particularly important for fiction, where plot progression and thematic coherence are key. For non-fiction, a full manuscript allows for an assessment of the depth of research, the structure of arguments, and the author's command of the subject matter.

The decision to request a wholemanuscript rather than a partial submission often depends on the publisher's or agent's preferences, the genre of the work, and their existing workload. Some may prefer to assess the beginning of a project before committing to reading the entirety. Authors should always check the submission guidelines of their target publishers or agents to determine the appropriate format for their submission. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in the manuscript being rejected without review.