A Different Way of Sending Manuscripts

[Mr Lucky]

Kinko's website has an option where PDF or .doc files can be uploaded and printed in any location in the US, then delivered by courier. So, a writer anywhere in the world could upload his requested manuscript and synopsis, have it printed at a Kinko's in New York, and delivered by courier to the agent's office.

For my 550-page manuscript, this would come to a grand total of $60 for printing and delivery the same (or following) day.

I've asked this in the Nathan Bransford thread, but I'd like to know what other writers think about this, or if anyone has tried it.

[Carrie R.]

I had a friend who had to give her agent 10 hard copies of the manuscript to be sent out on submission to editors and she ended up doing this rather than printing herself and mailing. It saved time, some money, and a ton of hassle.

I'm not sure I'd send this way to an agent if I weren't represented just because I wouldn't be sure they'd be at the office or available to accept delivery (or if I did want to use this method, I'd make sure to get the agent's ok first). But then again, most of my full requests were via email and it was no big deal to just mail the one snail mail request.

Still, it's a helpful thing to know -- thanks for sharing!

[Kaytie]

I agree with Carrie. Probably not the best idea unless there are extenuating circumstances that are cleared with the agent first, such as international residence or physical limitations.

Personally, I'm way too much of a control freak to allow someone else to accurately print my pages. What if something goes wrong with the printer from page 30 on and they don't catch it? What if the printer's off and all the pages print at a slight angle, chopping off the ends of sentences? I'd be really uncomfortable leaving the quality control to someone I haven't even spoken on the phone to.

When it came time for my agent to submit my novel, he took care of all the printing on his end. I'll pay for it when the time comes, of course, but at least I know his standards (which are my standards) will be met.

[blackpen]

It's actually cheaper to pay $60 than it is to print it out and mail it yourself??? I didn't realize postage/printing costs were that expensive.

If a courier is delivering it, they prob require a signature, and most agents don't like having to do that.

[Mr Lucky]

Thanks for the input. I agree one major issue is not being able to hold the thing in your hands and proof it before the agent sees it.

Requiring a signature is another problem. I don't remember if the website said a signature was required or not. Back in the day, when I was a bike messenger, we were satisfied with a signature from whoever was at the front desk.

[blacbird]

Agents detest the hassle of having to sign for a delivery. Guaranteed bad thing to do.

caw

[donut]

I've done it a few times because I'm living in Paris right now, plus I don't have a printer. It's way easier and faster (though not cheaper) to let fedex take care of the whole thing.

That said, it makes it pretty much impossible to include an SASE, if that's your thing. I worry a little about not being able to proof, but not much -- kinkos is pretty reliable, I think. I've heard agents bitch about signing for packages, but unless they specifically say they won't, I don't worry about it -- I've been sending to pretty big agencies, and I can't really believe they don't have a receptionist.

[windyrdg]

Interesting, but too rich for my blood. (I'm also a two hour drive from a Kinko's.)

Yesterday I sent a 364 page manuscript with cover letter, synopsis and so on to an agent (coast to coast)Priority mail with delivery confirmation for $16.50. I used the printer at my wife's job, so only additional cost was the paper and manuscript box...about $4.

Yesterday I was also reading Agent Kristin's blog (Pub Rants) and she was talking about sending out her submissions to editors for printing and delivery. This is what she must have meant.

[ishtar'sgate]

Agents detest the hassle of having to sign for a delivery. Guaranteed bad thing to do.

caw
I don't think you'd have to worry about that if you use the agency name and address in the body of the envelope and just put "Attention: name of agent" in the bottom left hand corner. Anyone at the front desk can sign for it if it's done that way and then they simply forward it on to the person named at the bottom.
Linnea

[David I]

I don't think you'd have to worry about that if you use the agency name and address in the body of the envelope and just put "Attention: name of agent" in the bottom left hand corner. Anyone at the front desk can sign for it if it's done that way and then they simply forward it on to the person named at the bottom.
Linnea

Sorry, but you're wrong about that one. Blacbird is 100% on target.

Even at some top agencies, there isn't always somebody at the front desk.

There isn't even always a front desk.

There are some killer agents who work out of their homes in New England. Even in NYC, some agencies are closed when Mr UPS Man shows up during lunch.

Many agents (check out the archives at Miss Snark) have made it very clear that they detest signing for things, and hate it even more when they are given a Notice of Attempted Delivery.

Use Delivery Confirmation if you're frantic about whether the ms has arrived. But don't do anything that requires a signature.

[L M Ashton]

Mimeo (http://mimeo.com) does the same thing. Fahim's done it - from Sri Lanka, there's actually a chance it will arrive that way. Sri Lankan mail is not entirely, shall we say, reliable. But yeah, it's bloody expensive.