Thread: cover letters

Have always wondered what information I should include on a cover letter, also how do I write one, as letters have never been my strong point.

Google "How to write a query letter" and you'll get lots of links. Here are a few of the 100's I found. Good luck.

How to Write a Query Letter | Writer's Resource Center
How to Write a Query Letter | eHow.com
AgentQuery :: Find the Agent Who Will Find You a Publisher

a cover letter and a query are not quite the same... a query is asking if you can send some piece of writing to the agent/publisher...

a cover letter is when you are sending the ms and that accompanies it, to remind the addressee that it was requested... or, in the case of magazine articles/short stories that can be sent w/o querying first, to say why you're sending it to them and let them know who/what you are...

a cover letter for a book only has to refer to the fact that the ms is enclosed and was requested...

if an article/short story to a magazine, you'd include the above mentioned info, which in effect, makes it both a query and a cover letter...

a query has to explain why you're writing, what the material is, and must include a brief synopsis [no longer than a single paragraph] of the work, plus your paid publishing credits [if any] and an offer to send sample chapters [if a book] or full ms upon request...

hope that helps... love and hugs, maia