Sending off a full ms: practical questions...

aruna · Nov 8, 2005

...about packaging. I know a ms should be sent with a big rubber band around it, and I even know what such a rubber band looks like, but where do you get them from? In the UK I've hunted them in every office supply store but their largest size is still too small - and anyway, to look professional it has to be just so: brown, flat, about 4 mm wide.

Also, mss should be packed in a box. in the UK that would be an A4 box, the size of an A4 ream. Where do you find them? Reams are sold in wrapping paper these days, the only boxes you find are big ones holding 5 reams.

I post them in big padded envelopes; that's no problem. I send them through Staples: it costs £8, and you get next day delivery with tracking info.

I guess the box is optional, but I'd really like to get hold of those big rubber bands. Though, hopefully, I won't be needing them any more at some point - hopefully soon. But it's useful info for us all.

scarletpeaches · Nov 9, 2005

Could you get away with sending it in a box file? It's heavier, but it would hold a lot of pages. Of course, you'd still need to stop the pages jiggling about inside it by keeping them all secured together with said rubber band.

(PS: Seems like you were up as early as me, today, aruna. Insomnia got me up at 5am).

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

Yes - the rubber band is the essential ingredient. They must be available fromsomewhere - but where? I suppose you can buy them wholesale. If one of us does that we could start a little business, selling them off in two's and three's!

I'm always up at this time: 4 - 5 is the best time for writing!

SeanDSchaffer · Nov 9, 2005

A question of my own; a thought about the rubber bands

I have a question too, if I could.

I've heard a lot of people refer to the boxes you're talking about. Are these like the ones you get stationery in and stuff like that?

Another thing: If I were to get hold of one, would I have to put it into an envelope to mail it?

As for the question about the rubber band, could it be, Aruna, that you're looking for it in the wrong place? Maybe if it's not originally intended for manuscripts, it wouldn't be sold in an office supply store.

The last time you saw one of these rubber bands, what was it wrapped around? That might give a clue as to where you can find one.

aadams73 · Nov 9, 2005

I buy these boxes at Office Max and my ms fits perfectly:

http://tinyurl.com/cjc6o

You can also buy the big fat rubberbands there. I imagine most office supply stores have something similar.

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

SeanDSchaffer said:
I have a question too, if I could.

I've heard a lot of people refer to the boxes you're talking about. Are these like the ones you get stationery in and stuff like that?

Yes - in the UK they are A4 sized made of thin cardboard and holds a ms of up to 530 pages perfectly.

Another thing: If I were to get hold of one, would I have to put it into an envelope to mail it?

I think it's more a question of either - or. A ms also fits quite well i one of those large padded envelopes, if folded tightly so it doesn't move around. When Bloomsbury returnded my ms to me that was how it was packaged - a rubber band, and a padded envelope. I grabbed the rubber band and terasured it for re-use! Now it's gone....

As for the question about the rubber band, could it be, Aruna, that you're looking for it in the wrong place? Maybe if it's not originally intended for manuscripts, it wouldn't be sold in an office supply store.

The last time you saw one of these rubber bands, what was it wrapped around? That might give a clue as to where you can find one.

Well - the only time I've seen them is around manuscripts! The biggest office supply store in the UK is Staples, and they don't have them. Guess there aren't enough writers in the country. I'm sure there must be a wholesaler I could order from but who wants 100 huge rubber bands? A very depressing thought

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

I don't think they have that store here.

scarletpeaches · Nov 9, 2005

aruna - a friend of mine asked me to get something from a stationer's later so if I see those rubber bands I'll buy some and send you them! You never know, Scotland might have a rubber band shop somewhere!

Failing that, have you thought about mugging your postman?

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

Thanks! I'm going out myself to have another look in town.
I just heard back from the agent who is reading it at present, she had an exclusive and is enjoying it so far but needs more time. She accepts that I am sending it out to other agents who didn't ask for an exclusive, so now I'm going all out: two agents and an editor are getting my full ms and I need 3 rubber bands by TOMORROW!!!!

scarletpeaches · Nov 9, 2005

If I find some, I will buy them anyway - nothing like being optimistic about the partial I sent out yesterday, is there?

Plus they can be made available to others who need them. Oh well, good luck with the MS aruna - I'm in the middle of reading one of your books and I'll need you to publish another one soon.

Jamesaritchie · Nov 9, 2005

aruna said:
...about packaging. I know a ms should be sent with a big rubber band around it, and I even know what such a rubber band looks like, but where do you get them from? In the UK I've hunted them in every office supply store but their largest size is still too small - and anyway, to look professional it has to be just so: brown, flat, about 4 mm wide.

Also, mss should be packed in a box. in the UK that would be an A4 box, the size of an A4 ream. Where do you find them? Reams are sold in wrapping paper these days, the only boxes you find are big ones holding 5 reams.

I post them in big padded envelopes; that's no problem. I send them through Staples: it costs £8, and you get next day delivery with tracking info.

I guess the box is optional, but I'd really like to get hold of those big rubber bands. Though, hopefully, I won't be needing them any more at some point - hopefully soon. But it's useful info for us all.

Have you tried looking in the Staples product catelogue? I've picked up many things Staples didnt carry in the store by doing this. If it's in their catalogue they can get it for you quickly.

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

Damn! Ijust got back fromn staples and they also told me to look in the catalogue, but I completely forgot. I did get some fairly big rubber bands, but they are multicoloured and I fear still too small. Have to try them out. And they gave me some A4 cartons, which I may have to cut down to size....

Jamesaritchie · Nov 9, 2005

Mailers

I always use the double box manuscript mailers. Anyone who needs them in A4 size may be in trouble, but for anyone else, I find these work best.

http://www.papyrusplace.com/

Pat~ · Nov 9, 2005

I just mailed off a full manuscript this week, and used a black metal spring clip rather than a rubber band. It's preferred by the editors I've spoken with--but yours may prefer the rubber band...

Also, I've only mailed a full ms once in a box; because it was too big for the post office box, the editor had to wait in line for it at the post office, and I have a feeling that is not something they like to do. Of course, if your ms is too huge for the largest padded mailer, you may have no choice, but I always use a padded, waterproof mailer (found at Target). One other thing--at the conference this week, one editor complained about the padded mailers that are stuffed with shredded fuzzy stuff that gets all over their desk and papers when opened. You might want to use the mailers padded with bubble wrap, if you go that route.

keltora · Nov 9, 2005

aruna said:
I don't think they have that store here.

Office Depot, then?

Or Staples.

All office suppliers sell the boxes that easily hold a manuscript (unless it is a really fat one) and the rubberbands.

Personally, I use rubber bands, two sheets of cardboard (the backs off of legal pads) and a Tyvek mailer. Light, flexible but strong and waterproof.

Of course, these days since most of my book deals are made in person with editors I have worked with before, they generally just ask for an electronic copy instead.

Saves postage and printing.

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

keltora said:
Office Depot, then?

Or Staples.

All office suppliers sell the boxes that easily hold a manuscript (unless it is a really fat one) and the rubberbands.

.

Nope, I looked in all the office supplies stoees in my town, nothing. I am in the UK; perhaps in London, but not where I live. The boxes, too, are not available. They gave me some big boxes with lids (that used to hold reams of paper) and I wil just use the lids and some cardboard, or maybe cut the boxes down to size. I'll see how that goes.

maestrowork · Nov 9, 2005

Search online for document mailers. They come in different sizes. I got mine online -- 50 for about $75. I only used two. LOL. I think mine is 9x11x3.

I'm not fussy with rubber band, though. I got a big ball of them from Staples and off I went.

Daughter of Faulkner · Nov 9, 2005

BIG rubber bands at local USPO

Congratulations again, Aruna!

I get ask the clerk at local USPO desk for them. They have tons there for their mail and will give you a big hand full...

Try it.

Jaycinth · Nov 9, 2005

Go to a commercial printer. (A printer's printer..one that specializes in huge quantities of brochures, pamphlets, presentation folders and such in additon to letterheads.) They should have the rubber bands you are looking for, because they have to band finished product in 100's, 250's etc. They have to use those big bands because the small ones will destroy the finished product.
They also order boxes in all sizes and shapes and many keep around the materials necessary to 'make' a box out of another box. They may even have the size you need ready made!
Make friends with one of the counter people and you should be able to get them to sell you ( or give you!!) a couple of boxes and rubberbands. If not they can put you in contact with their supplier.

If you do wind up buying a big box of 100 rubberbands...who cares! I mean we are talking $4.99 to $6.99 US. Dollars. You can use the extra rubberbands for the next 99 manuscripts you send out, or, if you are only going to send out 50 more manuscripts you can use the rubberbands to secure trash can liners, old cards. Magazines. Hold boxes of pasta shut. You can even shoot them at your husband from across the room!

Daughter of Faulkner · Nov 9, 2005

PS Don't worry about it!

Listen Aruna, my sense tells me that you are such an accomplished writer that it will not matter as to what kind of rubber band or mailer you use.
:Trophy:

I know you want to be professional and do everything just right too so do let us know the end to "The Quest for the Biggest Rubber Band in the UK."

Take care.

aruna · Nov 9, 2005

Jaycinth said:
Go to a commercial printer. (A printer's printer..one that specializes in huge quantities of brochures, pamphlets, presentation folders and such in additon to letterheads.) They should have the rubber bands you are looking for, because they have to band finished product in 100's, 250's etc. They have to use those big bands because the small ones will destroy the finished product.
They also order boxes in all sizes and shapes and many keep around the materials necessary to 'make' a box out of another box. They may even have the size you need ready made!
!

Excellent idea! I happen to use a printer regularly formy son's business so they already know me.. I'm going to go straight there tomorrow,

And to everyone else: thanks for all the suggestions! I htink it's more difficult in the UK simply because, being smaller, there just isn't a narket for writers' stuff.

Jamesaritchie · Nov 9, 2005

pb10220 said:
I just mailed off a full manuscript this week, and used a black metal spring clip rather than a rubber band. It's preferred by the editors I've spoken with--but yours may prefer the rubber band...

Also, I've only mailed a full ms once in a box; because it was too big for the post office box, the editor had to wait in line for it at the post office, and I have a feeling that is not something they like to do. Of course, if your ms is too huge for the largest padded mailer, you may have no choice, but I always use a padded, waterproof mailer (found at Target). One other thing--at the conference this week, one editor complained about the padded mailers that are stuffed with shredded fuzzy stuff that gets all over their desk and papers when opened. You might want to use the mailers padded with bubble wrap, if you go that route.

Interesting. Most of the editors I know really dislike clips of any kind. I hate those big ones.

I don't know anyone who likes padded mailers. It might be fine if only one writer used them, but when fifty or a hundred a month use them, you're soon knee deep in fuzzy stuff, and it get's in equipment, on your clothes, all over your desk. Bah. I've even seen guidelines where agents and editors asked writers to please not use them.

I've found the double box manuscript mailers are best all around. They're not only easier to handle, they also stack, and when a manuscript has to be returned it's already in the box and ready to go. No work at all for an agrent or editor. They don't even have to stamp or address it.

maestrowork · Nov 9, 2005

Padded mailers are no-no. A lot of agents/editors won't even open them exactly because of the fuzzy stuff. Don't give them any reasons to skip your ms.

Rubber bands are the best way to go.

Use document mailers -- they're relatively cheap, and they are very neat and do the job well. Post Office boxes are generally too big -- you either have to stuff it or you will have to use a smaller, inside box anyway. Just use a mailer -- one box, perfect fit.

blacbird · Nov 9, 2005

Where on earth does this "big rubber band" idea come from. No editor or agent I've ever contacted wants anything other than loose pages, and especally nothing like a rubber band that is guaranteed to crimp your manuscript. I've never seen such a recommendation in any published set of manuscript guidelines, either. Get a box or envelope of the proper dimensions to constrain the pages neatly without crimping.

bird

Jamesaritchie · Nov 9, 2005

blacbird said:
Where on earth does this "big rubber band" idea come from. No editor or agent I've ever contacted wants anything other than loose pages, and especally nothing like a rubber band that is guaranteed to crimp your manuscript. I've never seen such a recommendation in any published set of manuscript guidelines, either. Get a box or envelope of the proper dimensions to constrain the pages neatly without crimping.

bird

Just because they don't ask doesn't mean they don't want. And sometimes guidelines do mention rubber bands. A big rubber band is a very good idea. Loose pages doesn't mean no rubber band, it means no binding, as with screenplays. A rubber band of the right size won't crimp anything, and loose pages are much more likely to get damaged than rubber banded pages. Not having one on a novel size manuscript can lead to all sorts of problems.

No rubber band means you can't stack a pile of manuscripts that aren't in a box, and you can't carry them around without risking scattering the thing over thrity square feet of floor, and you can't slip several of them in a briefcase or bag to take home on weekends.

If you don't put a rubber band around a manuscript, an agent or editor probably will. . .if they have one lying around. If not, then you manuscript is then a problem, and a potential disaster in the making.

And just imagine the chaos if a stack of twenty manuscripts got knocked off a desk, and none of them had rubber bands. I sure wouldn't want to be the person who had to sort them all out.

Sending off a full ms: practical questions...

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