 For Authors: August 19, 2009 Issue [#3206] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: Cubby  
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Hello, everyone! Welcome to this edition of the For Authors newsletter.  This week's topic is focused on writing cover letters, but first off, I'd like to share a few quotes with you. Enjoy!
Quotes:
- Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind.
~ Rudyard Kipling
*
- I see the notion of talent as quite irrelevant. I see instead perseverance, application, industry, assiduity, will, will, will, desire, desire, desire.
~ Gordon Lish
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- Every exit is an entry somewhere else.
~ Tom Stoppard |
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Cover Letters
A cover letter should accompany your manuscript before you send it on its way. It's a representation of you, so try not to be too stuffy, but don't overdo it on the other extreme. Be professional enough to give the impression you are serious about publication. Do not allow one typo to slide past you and make sure you follow the Writer's Guidelines for that particular publishing house. If your manuscript is being sent to other publishers at the same time, be sure to mention it is a simultaneous submission. And again, read the guidelines of each publisher you send your writing to. Some places do not accept simultaneous submissions, but others do.
First of all, type your contact information at the top of the page. I prefer the left top but right is acceptable, too. You may also center it. Don't forget today's date. Then type the name and address of the publisher under the date (don't forget to add a line-space before and after the date). If you do not know the exact name of the editor who will receive your manuscript, acknowledge the editor Submissions Editor or something similar.
One Example:
Your Name (optional)
Your Address
City, State Zip
Phone (home)
Phone (work)
Phone (cell)
Email address
Date
Submissions Editor (or Editor's Name, if you know it)
Name of Publishing House
Address
City, State Zip
Dear Submissions Editor (or exact name of editor);
Begin the body of your cover letter with a paragraph that states what you are submitting. It should include the title, the audience type, word count, and a brief introduction to the piece.
Sample:
Enclosed you will my manuscript titled [underlined title], written for children [approximate age or grade level]. This [word count] piece [a very brief introduction].
Mention why you chose to send your manuscript to their publishing house. How does it fit in? Have you studied the market? If the publisher prints magazines, have you done your homework and read several issues? Whatever you have to say, be brief!
Sample:
I've read several issues of your magazine and feel that [title of manuscript] would suit [name of periodical].
And finally, this paragraph should include acquired publishing credits. Also mention any expertise you may possess related to the topic you have written about. Don't fret if you have none. Everyone has to start somewhere. Never include information such as: I read this story to my family and friends and they all think it is worth publishing. Though a credit to you, this statement is irrevelant to the editor. Editors also don't care to know you won a writing contest in the first grade, or that you began writing poetry at age nine. And do not apologize for your inexperience as a writer. Keep a positive tone.
Sample:
My recent publishing credits include two children's poems in [name where published] and one short story in [name where published].
Don't forget to thank the editor and say you are looking forward to his or her reply.
Sample:
Thank you for considering my manuscript. I look forward to your reply!
End your letter with Sincerely or something similar, and four line-spaces later, type your name. If you are including a SASE, you might want to mention it somewhere in the letter. I have seen it in the first paragraph, the last paragraph, and also a few line-spaces down after the author's name. If you do not care to have your manuscript returned, tell the editor the SASE is included for their response and the manuscript may be recycled (or something to similar to this).
Sample:
A SASE has been included for your response. You may recycle my manuscript if not accepted.
Before you send your cover letter out, proofread it! Then proofread again. Read it out loud. Do you sound upbeat? Are there unnecessary details?
Make sure your letter is not more than one page, if it can be helped. Remember your editor has a manuscript to read so your cover letter should be as briefly informative as possible. Your cover letter will not sell your manuscript, but if written poorly, your manuscript may not get read at all.
There might be slight variations on cover letter recommendations, but the above example is pretty generic.
Example of what NOT to write in the body of your cover letter!
Dear Mr. or Ms. Editor;
I've enclosed my manuscript "Going Home" for whatever age group you think appropriate. It's up to you; I'm really undecided. Anyway, it's about this kid who lives with the wolves for six years and starts acting like one. When any human ever finds him, he always bites them and escapes. Then they... [and so on]. You really ought to read it. My wife read it and she said I'm as good a writer as Gary Paulsen (I've read all his books, BTW!). My wife also illustrates, so I'd like to have her do the cover for this book with your OK.
I noticed your publishing house on the Internet the other day and saw there was an address to send manuscripts to. Thought I'd give it a whirl. Hope you take fiction manuscripts. Maybe you could look at it anyway. I'm sending the entire story.
I never was published before this. But I won a spelling bee in grade school and whenever I wrote a story, it always had perfect spelling. I've also been to the zoo lots of times to observe the wolves. I think we have a connection and that's why I wrote this book. I've always been fascinated with wolves, so that gives me a little experience under my belt in comparison to those who never even seen a wolf.
I'll be expecting to hear from you soon! I'm going on vacation next week, so you might want to wait at least two weeks from today before you contact me.
Waiting patiently,
[name]
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. There's an envelope included but I couldn't find an extra stamp to put on it. My address is probably good enough I hope.
 Okay, maybe that was a bit extreme, but at least you get the drift, I'm sure! Just remember, it's very important to read the guidelines before sending your manuscript out. Many publishing houses prefer a query letter before receiving anything else. Don't waste your time or their's. Do your homework!
One more thing I'd like to suggest: Make sure you update your format if you have not done so. If you haven't sent out a cover letter and manuscript in twenty years, you may want to revise. 
A few interesting books to check out:
 The Writers Digest Guide To Query Letters by Wendy Burt-Thomas
Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript by Cynthia Laufenber
And links...
Rites of Submission
http://www.underdown.org/covlettr.htm
Submitting Your Manuscript
http://writingfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/submitting_your_manuscript
Now for a fun prompt... Make up dummy cover letters for fun. Practice on either made-up material or on something you are preparing to send out in the future.
May you have an inspiring week and...
Keep on Writing!
Cubby ") |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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~FEEDBACK~
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Emaan 
i want to send my writings to your newsletter how can i send them?
~ The same way you sent Feedback here. Just add your item ID number to it.
mae88
time to write is one of my bigger problems, with so many things to do and so little time, writing always takes a back seat. Now I think I will just tell the family, and everyone else, I'm at my second job! love that idea thanks Cubby
~ You are welcome! And it truly works!
NickiD89 
GREAT newsletter on making time to write, Cubby! I'm a stay-at-home-mom but my children and husband are used to me saying I have "work" to do -- and it isn't laundry! I set my alarm every morning for 5:30 am, summertime too, and I bounce out of bed excited to start writing. It's more than a job, it's a passion -- the thing careers are made of. I've got to do now what you said here: get past the fear and start sending manuscripts out to publishers. Thanks for sharing your experiences and inspiring me to do the same! ~Nicki~
~ My pleasure!!!!!!!!!!!
Fyn 
Flat out awesome newsletter, Cubby!!! And you are so right (write!) about looking at writing as a job! You took all those 'mountains' we must deal with and which (at times) seem overwhelmingly large and turned them, not into stumbling blocks, but into stepping stones. Bravo! And, thank you.
~ Thank you, Fyn! And I'm doing lots of stepping right now, lol!
Tamara H
Another thing I would suggest, if one really wants to get published but doesn't want to fish for an agent, is to find a small press. Many of them still work directly with writers. Many of them are members of the Independent Booksellers Association.
That was how I got my first break. I'm hoping to use this break as a jumping off point to add more weight to my name. Maybe my second break will be in a bigger publishing house or through an agent, but I think most of us never get that chance unless we find something that's within our reach in the first place.
good luck with your submissions!
~ Excellent advice! I've heard this suggestion before and I know that's how many authors get a break. Best of luck to you!
Mara ♣ McBain 
Fabulous Newsletter! I am saving this one to refer back to. I think most of us with full time jobs and families can sooo relate to having to MAKE time for our writing. 
~ Thank you! It helps when we know others feel the same way and can relate.
Journey Back to Writing!
Why did I not subscribe to this newsletter before? It is wonderful! I found so many great resources in the links. It is inspirational and has such a "can-do" aspect to it. I am encouraged to write. Thanks!
~ If we can inspire and encourage, we must be doing something right! Thank you for a great compliment!
Zeke 
For me taking time to write is often related to inspiration. If I'm not inspired, then I tend to put off writing and do other things. When inspiration strikes, everything else is second.
Zeke
~ Inspiration is like a drug to help me focus, so I can relate! I get side-tracked, too, like rock hunting, learning to play the fiddle, making 57 pairs of wool mittens,  and the list goes on! But I like to look at it as experiencing life, something I can perhaps use in my writing someday. We are all on a journey.
Adriana Noir
Awesome NL, Cubby! This is one of the biggest problems I have and one of the biggest excuses I think many authors give. You did a great job reminding us if there's a will, there's a way!
~ And I'm full steam ahead!  I feel like a train pushing forward. Where there's a will, there's a way. You are so right. 
A thinker never sleeps
I still haven't got the hang of using time effectively for all my writing but I have worked out that if I make a `WRITE 10 PAGES PER WEEK' sign to stick up and create a deadline I can write more first drafts of novels. I made a spreadsheet to help me see how much work I've got done. It really works.
~ A great start! That spreadsheet you mention is definitely motivational. Sounds like you are headed in the right direction. Best of luck!
David Hawk
As long as you can stomach bar patrons and keep the alcohol at bay, bartending as a sole form of income in New York City allows a person with ample funds and time to write, among other things, just living life. I couldn't imagine bartending at sixty however. Being devotedly single and a "shut-in" helps too.
~ I'm sure bartending would acquaint a person with great characters profiles!
esprit
Cubby, this is an inspiring letter for me. I don't have (or take?) time to work on anything for me anymore. lol Good for you for just deciding to do it, good luck. Or is it bad luck to say good luck to writers? Happy camping!
~ It's never bad to say good luck to writers!!! Well, at least I haven't heard anyone say it. I don't have (or take?) time to work on anything for me anymore. Geesh, many of us get in that rut, I know! I've been there and I'll probably be there again. Sometimes I think we are meant to be in a rut so when we finally submerge, we are full of energy and ready to go! At least that's recently been my experience. 
mollychristy
Dear Cubby, I'm a newbie so am still getting my feet wet at writing.com, but I did read your newsletter just moments ago for the first time and wanted to say thank you for your great advice. I love the idea of approaching writing as a second job -- maybe just maybe that way of looking at it will keep me focused. Thanks again.
~ I hope it works for you! Don't give up!
 Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful feedback you send in!
As always...
Have a wonderful week!
AND KEEP ON WRITING!!!
Cubby ")
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