What exactly does this mean? Does it mean don't post the whole novel or don't submit any chapters until they've asked for them after an initial enquiry?

It depends. Sometimes it means their lists are full so they are not accepting any unsolicited submissions; sometimes it means query them first before sending them your sample chapters.



- NaomiM

This was the first query I ever posted on WW!

As far as I remember, the consensus was that it means don't send the whole thing, just whatever they specify in their guidelines for submissions - though there was some disagreement about it.

I firmly decided 'no unsolicited MS' meant that they just don't want the full MS, which (believe it or not) people do send.

I've never seen the point of query letters, at least not for my kind of work, so I always sent chapters-and-synopsis. Don't think I ever sent anything to anyone who said, 'query letter first', for the same reason.

'No unsolicited submissions', on the other hand, means don't send anything. Whether that includes query letters/emails I don't know.

Emma

just whatever they specify in their guidelines for submissions - though there was some disagreement about it.

I think the confusion arises because some Agents simply say 'no unsolicited MSS', and then don't give any further guidelines for submission, so you can probably safely assume they mean 'no submissions whatsoever'.
As far as query/contact letters/emails is concerned some Agents ask for them, before yuo send them a submission, and it is worth sending an initial contact note to those sole Agents who have temporarily closed their slush piles due to full lists.


- NaomiM

<Added>

But, saying that, and as Emma said, most people ignore it and send their synopsis & first 3 chapters anyway.

they just don't want the full MS, which (believe it or not) people do send.

Now this sounds like the one, the true, the only rule of submitting manuscripts, which everyone can take to heart as gospel. BUT, I was a bit shocked to read this in my 2006 edition of the Children's WAAYB:

"When submitting your work it is probably best to send the entire typescript. Although some people advise sending in a synopsis with the first three chapters, a prospective publisher will need to see whether you can sustain a reader's interest to the end of the book."

This was under the heading "General fiction", in the context of books for 9 - 12 year olds, not "Picture books", or "Books for under 7s" . The author of the piece is an Editor-at-Large at Walker Books (excellent publisher, known best for the Alex Rider books). I have no idea why she would give this advice.

Maybe she thinks the rules for agents don't apply to publishers, Leila. Presumably she is used to being sent the whole mss by agents.


- NaomiM

Could it be because chapters are so short these days, not least in kid fic? Especially in the Jacqueline Wilson kind, where it often seems to be very chopped up and bits and pieces, being diary entries and the like.

Or as Naomi says, maybe she's used to what agents send her. When agents and editors say they like 3 or 4 page synopses, I always wonder if they're really thinking of the kind of synopsis they want from their established authors, to sell before its finished.

Emma

Could it be because chapters are so short these days, not least in kid fic?

Well the general rule for kids fic is if it's 15K or under then send the whole thing.