Write a Great Cover Letter to an Editor to Read My Book

Jan twenty, 2008

Cover Letter Format

provided by The Fiction Forum

Your cover letter is the first impression any editor will take of your writing abilities. Therefore, the cover letter should be straightforward and curtailed. Care for your encompass letter equally a business organisation letter–after all that is what it is.

You can read our basic guidelines beneath, but I can recommend the book "How to write the comprehend letter for your submission to a publisher".

For a little over $1 on Amazon ( that is Not a typo ), the writer (An Editor) has been a commissioning editor for over twenty years at various publishing companies and has signed up over 2,000 books.

However, with a commissioning rate of less than 3% from the slush pile (a term used to depict all the unsolicited proposals and manuscripts sent to a publisher), it ways An Editor has rejected thousands of submissions over the years, making them an proficient on what makes an editor decline a submission in seconds and what makes an editor actually plough the page and start reading your work.

Check information technology out by clicking here

Below yous will find some of our basic guidelines.

• Limit your letter to ane page.
• Capture the editor's attending right off.
• Give the editor or agent a brief description of the story, article, or book. (Wait at the back of a volume and read the blurb. This is nigh the same length and structure you want your clarification to be.) Make your description appealing so that the editor feels he or she must read the book.
• Provide some personal and or professional person background information that relates to your skills or experience. Draw from your publishing history and whatever background that is special to this story (such every bit if you were a nurse and you wrote a book which takes place in a hospital).
• Be sure to include the word length and genre of your volume.
• Utilize a proper business form letter as your guide. (Most word processors take alphabetic character templates) Single infinite the alphabetic character.
• Be sure to include your contact information such as your proper noun, address, phone number and email accost.
• Don't forget the date.
• When addressing your letter exist sure to use the Editor'southward name (or agent'south name is querying a book.) Use a Author'due south Market guide or similar resource for contact information. Many book publishers do non accept unagented books so you must check the publication'due south guidelines before sending an unsolicited manuscript. However, this embrace letter format is appropriate for querying an amanuensis. Check the publication or agent's web site or telephone call to verify the name of editor or agent earlier sending your letter. Remember: editors are not permanent fixtures at publications.
• When catastrophe your alphabetic character exist sure to thank the editor or agent for his or her time and consideration.
• Blazon your closing, leave a few spaces and and then type your name. Within the bare spaces you should sign your name.

Beneath yous volition notice 2 generic sample encompass letters. Using these as your bones format should get yous off on the correct human foot. Still you'll want to adapt information technology to fit your style and piece of work.

At the request of a few visitors, we've added a third option for those who are applying to submit stories online.

========================================================

SAMPLE 1:

Author proper noun
Address
Telephone
Electronic mail

Editor's proper name
Publisher
Address

Date

Dear One thousand. [Editor],

I take recently completed a romance novel titled: "My Novel." I have enclosed the 50,000-give-and-take novel for publishing considerations.

"My Novel" is a story of truthful beloved … [include blurb here.]

I have published work with such publishers as…[your groundwork hither.]

I have enclosed a cocky-address, stamped envelope along with my manuscript. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Sign proper noun here]

Jane Author

========================================================

SAMPLE 2:

Writer name
Address
Phone
Email

Editor'south proper noun
Publisher
Accost

Engagement

Dear M. [Editor],

[Start your alphabetic character off with your blurb, draw the editor in correct from the start.]

The in a higher place passage details the primal conflict of my 50,000-word romance novel, "My Novel." Like the heroine, I have a vast noesis of the solar system equally I was a high school science teacher. My writing has been featured in several magazines… [go on with groundwork.]

I'g excited nearly "My Novel" and believe information technology's appropriate for your Out Of This Globe Romance line. I have enclosed a copy of a synopsis and my manuscript for publishing consideration. This work is besides bachelor by email or on a 3.5 inch deejay in Word or ASCII format. An SASE is enclosed for your convenience.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Sign your proper noun hither.]

Jane Author

========================================================

SAMPLE 3 (for online submissions):

PO Box 333 [Physical Accost]
New York, AZ 85333
602.555.3333 [Telephone]
nunya.business@gmail.com[email]

Jean Martin [Sponsor's proper name (if known)]
Costless Flash Fiction [Publisher (if known) or Website Title]
Physical Address (if known. Look at the bottom of the website home page)
http://world wide web.freeflashfiction.com[Website address]
18 Apr, 2013 [Date of submission]

Dear M. Martin [Editor] (or, if unknown, Dear Free Flash Fiction [Website Title]),

(Provide a brief blurb of your story. If your story is curt, your blurb could be equally short as a single judgement.) Imagine a homemaker out for a typical day of shopping with his kids when he is accosted by street hooligans, demanding his wallet and diaper bag. Next, imagine that he was a kung fu kid prodigy who now teaches conflict resolution techniques to fast nutrient chains.

(Then provide the give-and-take count, genre, and responses to other submission requirements. Endeavor to get them all into one or 2 sentences). This is the premise of my 923 word wink fiction entry in your Satire and Humor category.

(Provide a relevant history to justify your knowledge of the content and your writing ability.) A homemaker myself, I as well studied martial arts extensively and concord three black belt degrees. I have too been published on your site before, and accept won three competitions on a social writing site. (If your writing history is not all-encompassing, provide less relevant personal history so that the editor tin can create an image of yous in their mind while they read.) I am a retired sniper spotter for the Navy SEALS who has seen my share of conflict. I also have experience with stand up comedy because I am the designated Master of Ceremonies for all of my church gatherings. In addition, I've too got four children, who constantly ask for baroque stories.

(Provide a sentence or ii of gratitude for their willingness to consider your work and, if appropriate, provide you lot with feedback or compensation.) I am excited at the prospect of being published on your site over again, and would like to cheers for the opportunity you lot provided for me to abound as a writer and meet my efforts rewarded. I look forrad to hearing back from you regarding my submission.

Sincerely,
Joe Bloe

========================================================

It is important to remember that in your embrace letter you should be informative and never chatty. This is a business correspondence, not a alphabetic character to your beloved old aunt. Good luck!

pearsoncamport.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.fictionforum.com/writers/articles/cover-letter-format-124.html

Share this post