If you're struggling with your query letter, we'll
even help you polish it. Of course, we can't help
you with the chapters or else we'd be asking for
co-author's royalties. We will, however, double-check
your work for grammatical and punctuation problems.
If you're finished with your project and are satisfied
it's ready for submission, then consider the following:
The Omnibus asks for a one-time fee up front and
then builds your Web presence for review by publishing
industry professionals. The Omnibus has been designed
for ease. It downloads fast for busy agents, editors
and publishers with limited time for reading. Your
query letter, synopsis and bio are posted high so
the reader can become acquainted with you quickly
while scanning your work. That's why it's important
to keep your query brief and exciting.
Agents and publishers will contact you directly
through either your e-mail link or an address/telephone
number (if you wish) to request the completed manuscript.
The Omnibus does not operate on a commission-based
or royalty-driven service. Our fee is up front,
one-time (unless you choose to renew), and minimal
compared to creating multiple submissions.
Submission Guidelines
Prepare your manuscript:
1. Completed, book-length nonfiction and fiction
are eligible for submission. Books are defined by
manuscripts of 36,000 words or more, except for
Juvenile manuscripts of 500 words or more. The Omnibus
does not accept pornography, erotic fiction, or
works of poor taste. We reserve the right to reject
any manuscript that does not meet our criteria of
a "completed manuscript" or meets our
definition of "poor taste."
Submit your proposal:
2. We require from you, the author, the following
items:
• A one-page query letter
• A one-page synopsis of your manuscript
• A brief resume including writing awards
(if any)
• The first three chapters (or a prologue
and first two chapters) of you manuscript.
• A high-resolution photograph of you
• A check for $100 payable to Robin Van
Auken for your one-year hosting agreement or use
the convenient PayPal button below for secure,
online credit card or e-check payments.
Please note your name, your e-mail address, your
manuscript title and type of word processing program
used. Work submitted should be in standard manuscript
format (see The Chicago Manual of Style
is you're not sure). This is the format a publisher
would insist upon, and you should try to adhere
to their format in your proposal, as well. Your
manuscript may be submitted via e-mail or U.S. Postal
Service with a check for $100.00,
payable to Robin Van Auken, or confirmation of your
payment through PayPal's convenient, secure online
credit card or e-checking service. Please mail all
correspondence to: The Omnibus, 600 E. Mountain
Ave., South Williamsport, PA 17702.
Submission of an application, your manuscript
and your fee of $100.00
is your commitment to showcase your work the entire
year. Refunds will only be given if you cancel this
service in writing or via e-mail prior to your proposal
being showcased (posted on The Omnibus Web site).
You, the author, agree that The Omnibus shall have
no liability to you, the author, or any loss you
may incur in connection with The Omnibus processing
your submitted manuscript proposal. You, the author,
also agree that in no event shall the maximum liability
of The Omnibus for any matter exceed the cost of
our service.
Please mail all correspondence to: The Omnibus,
600 E. Mountain Ave., South Williamsport, PA 17702.
Client Feedback
Hi
Robin,
Thank you, it's wonderful. I've never had this
experience either (at not publishing a work of
fiction) and it's turning out to be an interesting
journey, to say the least. I'll send you a copy
of the final book when it's done.
Best
regards,
Kathryn Schelich
www.Women-Write.com
Robin,
I found the hour we spent in August so valuable.
I would like to get with you again. Thanks for
your interest and support with my project! You
are my life saver!
Donna
McCaslin
www.MyMedicalAssistant.com
Dear Ms. Van Auken:
This is to ask whether I might secure your services
to read through my dissertation intro. and possibly
first chapter rather than my initial book proposal.
I have an editor that is interested in my work
but wants me to make my dissertation intro. more
like a book and less like a dissertation. This
fits in directly with the comments you made concerning
my work. I assume this means streamlining theory,
using less "academic" words, and making
my work more understandable to a lay audience.
I was very impressed by your editing comments
and would like to hire you if I may.
Sincerely,
Tom Cox
Hi
Robin,
I'm moving forward. The contracts are signed and
Erin said she has them and is sending me materials
to get me started. The ball is rolling. Erin has
been terrific! Thanks for lining this up!
Eric
Smith
Hi
Robin!
Whenever I think of my artistic progression, you
always come into my head as an early influence...and
since I narcissistically think of my history often,
I often wonder what you're doing now. :) Have
a great new year and keep in touch!
Ryan
Green
www.BlueFootStudios.com
Robin:
I just heard that Arcadia has accepted my proposal
for the Hughesville book! I want to thank you
for letting me know about this opportunity. It
should be a fun project.
Joan
C. Blank
www.HistoricWilliamsport.com
Robin,
I showed my family my Web site and they really
liked it. I have been telling all my friends what
you have been doing. I love the links you chose.
I am excited because you know my heart so well.
Tonya
Anderson
www.AnExquisiteLife.com
Hello
Robin,
I studied the formatting and editorial changes
that you made to the first three chapters and
made those same changes to the rest of the manuscript
so I think it looks fairly consistent all the
way through and I think it is ready to send out.
I am very pleased with the Web site that you prepared
for me and I still think that the book has an
important message.
Robert
Frank
www.ChristsTeam.com
Dear
Robin,
Thanks for the speedy service, and especially
for catching all those little details I'd overlooked.
Honestly, I've had all my friends in our writing
group read this and they hadn't caught the spelling
lapses and names! I'm happy to be associated with
(you) and wish you happy holidays.
Best
regards,
Larry
McDougald
Kill the Messenger
