How do I submit a manuscript? ESPN Books cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or manuscripts that do not come through a literary agent. In today's publishing world, agents are more important than ever. An agent helps writers shape their work, navigates the myriad publishing houses to find the most appropriate outlet for a project, and is indispensable in contract negotiations. There are several books that can be useful for finding an agent, including The Literary Market Place, The Writer's Handbook, and The Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. You can find these titles in the reference section of your local library or bookstore. Submissions that do not come to us from a literary agent are returned, unread, and uncopied by our legal department.