How to Keep a Manuscript Under Wraps?

By Neal 

Here’s an interesting story that was told me last night: Apparently, two A-list literary agents, who happen to share the same initials, both hit upon the same strategy to make sure the book they were pitching didn’t slip off editors’ desks and into anybody else’s hands—they watermarked the pages with the editor’s name. First I’d heard of such a tactic, and apparently the scouts, who depend to some extent on friendly, informal sharing, are less than thrilled at the prospect of this catching on…