Getting Published Is The Slush Pile A Nice Place To Visit Or Manuscript Limbo

It was brought to my attention that I had made the slush pile sound like a synonym to the trash bin. Further, due to my personal distaste for the term, I made it sound worse than it actually is. I apologize if that led to any confusion. So, what is the slush pile? Is it a good or bad neighborhood to be in? Is there any way to get out of it and make it to publication? Can you avoid it altogether?
Technically, the slush pile is a stack of unsolicited manuscripts. Your manuscript can also end up there if you aren’t careful to address it to the appropriate person. At publishing companies that still accept unsolicited manuscripts, this stack can be frighteningly large. For that reason, many publishers no longer accept unagented material.
Yet, at a number of publishing houses, the slush pile is still alive and well. It’s not necessarily a bad neighborhood to be in. However, you want to get out and find your dream home as soon as possible. There are usually some pretty shady characters there. Handwritten manuscripts, poor grammar, an abundance of spelling mistakes, and bad writing might get you out of the slush pile. But, you won’t like your new destination.
The trick is in making your manuscript stand out from the rest. When I say, “stand out”, I’m not talking about pretty stationary or fancy fonts. Not a good idea. Get clear on the appropriate format. Show that you are professional. And, do your homework. Research the publishers’ to learn which ones are accepting work in your genre.
If you’re serious about your craft, you’ll be happy to know that from this dubious beginning, new authors are still being discovered and published. Out of the slush pile and onto the bookstore shelves, sounds a little like a rags-to-riches story. For many who make it, it is. Keep in mind that the percentage of manuscripts that make it from the slush pile to publication is infinitesimally small.
I’m not saying that it’s a lottery game. It most definitely is not. The problem for those who don’t make it is your good fortune. There are rules. There is a system, a classic story structure to be followed. Once you understand how to develop life-like characters and plot a compelling story, with twists and surprises in the right places, you will have the ability to write a compelling, salable, novel. In fact, you can write a best seller. Your manuscript will stand out from the rest.
If you want to avoid the slush pile altogether and make it to publication, you have two choices beyond self-publishing. Getting an agent is one option. Unfortunately, that is the most difficult route. Your best bet is to get a publisher first.
The good news is that there is a report that lists publishers who are actively seeking material directly submitted by authors.