Some of you have already asked why do we need a Cover Letter if we have already sent a Query Letter? I think it is an excellent question, wait for
it..
A COVER LETTER IS NOT A QUERY LETTER. IT IS A LETTER YOU WILL ENCLOSE AS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR SUBMISSION PACKET. THIS LETTER GOES INTO THE PACKET WITH YOUR SYNOPSIS OR YOUR COMPLETED MANUSCRIPT.
If your targeted publisher accepts complete manuscripts without the formality of a Query Letter, then you will want to adapt your Cover Letter to include
information about you, as an author. Mention previous publications and expertise. (Include these things only if this is your Cover Letter in this case is your First Contact with the Publisher or Agent). Do not repeat this information if you already sent a Query Letter.
Read the publisher’s guidelines carefully because some of them may have a specific Cover Letter Format. You may be expected to include a Synopsis, and the Same
Blurb you used in your Query Letter. Most agents and publishers are okay to go if you simply say, “Here is the Submission you requested.”
General items you might include in your Cover Letter might be a reminder of your previous Query Letter. This is because the people are generally very busy and the
intern who opens the mail may not realize your Query has been answered and the Manuscript requested.
One last thing to mention in your Cover Letter is if the Manuscript if you snail mailed is disposable. The intern will be glad to know he won’t be putting together
a mailer for your Submission. If you do want it returned you must make it as easy as possible with a postage paid envelope addressed to yourself.
Just remember to adjust the information in the Cover Letter if this is your first contact with the publisher.
Join us Wednesday January 22nd at 8PM ET and we will talk about cover letters.
Previously, we talked about building a Submission Packet and followed up on Wednesday with How to Write a Synopsis. As we continue to talk about the items we
should collect for our Submission Packets, the next item on the list is our Query Letter. One Wednesday, January 22nd we will explore the components of a Cover letter.
Here is the List, again, for reference and hints about future topics related to collecting items to save in your Submission
Files.
Things to include in a Submission Packet
Write your Synopsis
Write a Query Letter
Write a Cover Letter
Complete a Publishers Choice Form (Found in the Blog Post)
Revise a Chapter
Write an Author Bio in three sizes, long, medium and short form.
Write some practice Press Releases
Make a List of Potential Blog Hosts
Start a List of Questions to help a Blogger do her homework and Keep the Answers Handy
Save these items in an easy to find file (USB Drive, SD chip, cloud drive)
When you write a Query Letter you are addressing an agent or an editor. If you know their name, use it. Double check to be sure they are still there.
If you meet an agent at a convention or speak with a publisher who indicates an interest, it will not hurt to remind them of when and where you spoke.
The first paragraph should be very close to what you would write for a jacket blurb. Unlike the Synopsis, do not give away the ending. In this blurb, you don’t
want to talk about yourself, you want to sell your book.
If you have any publishing credits or experience that qualifies you to write your book, mention it after the blurb. Do not lead with your advanced age or bring up
the fact that you have no published work. Just leave that out.
Always thank the recipient for her time. They often catch up on queries during lunch breaks or during commutes or the alone time just after the children are put to
bed. It is a big deal that she gave your query some of her spare time.
You should also let the editor or agent know that your book is complete. It is very rare for an editor to give new writers the nod for an incomplete book. You need
to prove yourself up front. Maybe, after your second or third book with an editor, he will consider your unfinished work.
Your Query Letter should be short and to the point. You want to look professional, and you have spent some time learning about the far side of writing a novel.
One final note, if you have written a book about a gardener and you have experience with the genre, you may suggest selling it in garden shops and garden clubs.
This may catch some attention because it shows you are thinking ahead. These days, a publisher may ask for a marketing plan at some point in the submission process.
On Wednesday, we will talk about a Cover Letter. We will look at what it does and how to write it.
Join us tomorrow at 7PM ET at the writerschatroom.com/wp
Writing a Synopsis
Your synopsis needs to be compelling. You will use it to hook an editor and keep him reading through to the end. If you can do this, you have your foot in the door.
Join us Wednesday Evening at the Chatroom for more information on Writing a Synopsis.
A synopsis has a specific form.
It is written in the present tense no matter what tense your novel uses. It should follow a single viewpoint character, even if the novel involves more than one viewpoint character. A synopsis is written in third person, again, the novel may be done
in first person. Sticking to these guidelines will reassure the editor or agent that you are being professional.
A synopsis should always include the end of the story. The agent or publisher needs to know that you are capable of ending your novel on a strong note.
The length of your synopsis should be the length the publisher asks for. If she requests 5 pages, send 5 pages or less. Do NOT send 12 pages. Unless, you weren’t serious about submitting and you want your work rejected at this point. A good rule of thumb is 4 pages for
every 100 pages of manuscript. In the publishing universe, short is always better. This means you shouldn’t be padding the synopsis just to meet a ratio of pages.
If you are sticking to one character you may not want to muck up the synopsis with a lot of subplot. Use subplot sparingly. Your synopsis should never stray from the main plot.
So, here comes a checklist.
Synopsis Checklist
Single or double spaced with 1 inch margins and numbered pages.
Written in the present tense no matter what your novel manuscript uses.
Written in the third person regardless of the novel being done in the first person.
Start with a strong hook.
Follow a single viewpoint character though the plot even if you have more than one main character.
Mention your chosen viewpoint character’s motivations and goals.
Follow the story chronologically from beginning to end.
Stick to the essential plot elements.
Use a dramatic tone and presentation.
Always include the ending.
This is part of a series of posts centered around Submission Packets. Use the Links to go back to the other posts.
Next week we can have a look at the second and maybe the third item on the Submission Packet List, a Query Letter and a Cover
Letter.
