Discovery House Publishers
“We are pleased to have this new work from the second author Discovery House has found on CMS. We regularly check the database on CMS, and we appreciate the way you help aspiring authors provide us with professionally written proposals that give us interesting book ideas in an efficient manner. Thank you for making our work easier.”

Harvest House Publishers
With approximately 1,200 queries, proposals, and manuscripts arriving annually, it’s a tedious task wading through them in search of the 2% that actually fit our publishing program. That’s why referring unsolicited submissions to CMS is the most efficient, cost-effective way for first-time authors to share their work with members of the ECPA, and for publishers to find exactly what they’re looking for. Everybody wins.”

“I wanted to give you an update regarding published works. VMI picked up my manuscript through CMS. Bill Carmichael and his team have been absolutely fantastic. I am sure that this match was of the Lord. The book was released on November 1, just 2 months ago. I do not know what the sales are in the global market, only what is occurring in my contacts. I am doing book signings most weekends, throughout New England. More importantly, the content of the book is changing the face of America, one home at a time. For good and for God. I frequently recommend your services to my writer friends. I hope that others find the success in an author/publisher match that I found. I remain grateful to you for the service you provide. Thank you very much!”

—ME Smith, CMS User

"When you are a new, un-agented writer, getting a manuscript or even a proposal reading by a well-known publishing house can be extremely difficult. The Christian Manuscript Service (formerly 1st Edition) bridged the distance between me and trusted publishing houses by providing a meeting ground that was truly the starting point for my career as a novelist. Since being discovered on this web site in 2003, I have written five books for Harvest House and am currently contracted for four more."

— Susan Meissner, CMS user

"This is truly an exciting time for me, and I do want to thank the people at First Edition for the remarkable service you provide to first-time authors. I had initially become acquainted with First Edition about three years ago. At that time, I submitted my proposal but didn't receive any further inquiries from publishers. I let the proposal expire. But God didn't forget about it! A year ago this past October, He spoke to me about working on the project again, and after much prayer I decided to submit it once more to First Edition. I guess this was His timing! I submitted it in November of 2002, and in February received letters of interest from Focus on the Family and NavPress. Later on, Discovery House asked for more information. It was then that I knew publishers really DO look to First Edition for ideas! But God's choice was Green Key Books, and I signed the contract in December. Thanks again for being a partner in this project. I couldn't have done it without you! I look forward to having MY BOOK (!) (sorry, I still get excited writing that!) as part of your "success" library! First Edition has a new fan, and I will most definitely be recommending you to other hopeful authors!"

— Sharon Virkler, 1st Edition Author

"First Edition is a great way to get your idea out there! I'm so glad that I found this site. I had a response from a publisher, Moody Press, within the first three months. Moody published my book, Asylum, in January of this year!"

— Nan Allen, 1st Edition Author

"After receiving 22 rejection letters, it was such a relief for your service to advertise our book proposal. We are so grateful in finding ACW Press. Chuck Dean contacted us when our morale was quite low. Chuck worked closely with us with encouragement and excellent guidance along with Steven Laube. Their patience, when explaining each step of the publishing process was comforting since we have never published before. Our book, “The Complete Handbook for Parents with Disabled Children” has become a ministry directing parents in great need to Jesus Christ, who heals the broken. We now can look back and see how important ECPA was to the Lord’s Will to get this book published, especially Chapter One on “Prayer.” Please extend our sincere appreciation to your entire staff. Job well done!"

— John and Janice Sterba, 1st Edition Authors

"I love First Edition! It's simple, it's painless, and it works! As a first time author, I was shocked when the first publisher I contacted informed me that they would not accept even a query letter from an unpublished author. The news, however, was not all bad. They directed me to the First Edition website. What I found at First Edition was a perfect match for my needs! I submitted an online proposal according to their specifications, paid a nominal fee, and my idea was instantly made available to a host of Christian publishers. An added benefit . . . I did not have to endure the pain of rejected query letters. Sure, this may sound like a small issue, but if you're an author or aspire to be one, you know exactly what I mean! Querying can hurt, but at First Edition the book proposal process is both efficient and painless. Really, what more could you ask for?!"

— Pam Gillaspie
No More Excuses! An Almost Too-Practical Guide to Reading Through Your Bible
1st Edition Author

"I am happy to inform you that I have entered into a contract with Xulon Press who have agreed to print my manuscript within their terms of reference. I am grateful to 1st Edition Manuscript Service for making it possible for this to take place. Perhaps towards the end of 2004 I shall have another manuscript ready and will contact your firm if this eventuates. Thank you for your service."

— Lucille L. Turfrey, 1st Edition Author