Sometimes I receive submissions with the note, “I want to get this to the editor before fill in the name of the big conference, or before the holiday, or whatever!

Does this make sense?

I can answer this question right now. The perfect time to submit a manuscript is…

Thursday, 4:45 AM local time, in Guam.

Seriously, I understand the desire to enhance a submission’s chances by timing it when the editor is most likely to review. But let me dispel some myths:

I need to submit before Christmas.

The publishing company may be closed the week after Christmas, so the submission may sit in the editor’s IN box for a week. Why not use that time to hone the manuscript, if needed.

After Christmas is the best time to submit.

Maybe, if you want your manuscript to get lumped in with all the “New Year’s Resolution” manuscripts from everyone else.

Don’t submit anything in December because of the holidays.

Historically, December has proven to be one of my busiest months. Everyone’s at work!

The editor needs my work before the big conference so it doesn’t get lumped with after-conference submissions.

As an agent, I can tell you that I’m working to prepare for the big conference so sending your submission before the conference doesn’t increase chances of acceptance. My guess is that my editor friends would tell the same story.

I’m sure there are other myths that seem logical, but don’t give you a leg up in practice. In all seriousness, the best time to submit is when you, and the manuscript, are ready.

Your turn:

Have you tried to time the submission of your proposal? How?

In your opinion, is there a bad time to submit a proposal?

When do you think is the best time to submit your work?