When your book is as polished as it possibly can be, youre ready to submit and draft up a cracking cover letter. Youll notice that the author is concise and tothepoint. Now that you are a published picture book author, do you still have to write cover letters. The query package, but now lets get more specific and discuss how to actually write a cover letter and fyi, writing a novel cover letter is different than a short story cover letter, in fact there are some publications that dont even require a cover letter for short story submissions. If your manuscript is of interest, the editor will request. Cover letter for manuscript submission first time authors. As such, it is made up of individual sentences, double spaced. Nov 26, 2018 remember that picture book format is just one small component of a successful childrens book submission. This is the suggested formatting when submitting a picture book text to publishers. Its something you stick on top of your manuscript when the editor or agent has already read. A letter to an editor accompanies your manuscript submission.
A cover letter accompanies your proposal and briefly describes your proposal. How to write a cover letter for manuscript submissions. The greeting of a cover letter even when you have composed the perfect cover letter to send with your. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens. Many book publishers do not accept unagented books so you must check the publications guidelines before sending an unsolicited manuscript. However, this cover letter format is appropriate for querying an agent. I believe that childrens house publishing would be the best publishing house for this type of story because of. Both letters serve the same purposes of highlighting your book and making it something an editor will want to pursue. Hints for a great cover letter the steve laube agency.
I have a picturebook manuscript that would target children up to three years of age. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens book editors. I often find it helpful to imagine that i am writing the copy for a catalogue synopsis or the back cover or jacket flap. Its too bad that its spread so widely, because a cover letter is still the professional thing to do. Use a writers market guide or similar resource for contact information. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers dummies.
Do you have a great childrens book manuscript that youd like to share with the world. How to submit a childrens book to a publishing company pen. A cover letter introduces you and your novel to potential publishers. Be sure to include your contact information including address, email, and phone number on your cover letter.
Some childrens books are not even as long as the letter, and you want the editor to lift the cover letter and be wowed by your first line. Do make sure full contact details are on the front page of the manuscript. A cover letter is essentially a business letter introducing your story and yourself to the editor. Aug 18, 2018 remember, this letter is your introduction as a writer, so errors in the query are unlikely to go down well. This letter should do more than pique an editors interest. Remember that picture book format is just one small component of a successful childrens book submission. Here is a sample letter that you would put onto letterhead, or into email. Childrens publishing is extremely competitive and there are so many writers out there trying to get their childrens picture book into print. Cover letters are what we use mostly as picture book writers. This document should provide the agentpublisher all the details they need to decide whether it is a good fit for their audience. I read the manuscript of my book to my six children and they all loved it. A draft letter will be emailed to the author then four hard copies on lettterhead will be posted. How to write a proper short story cover letter alex. The cover letter otherwise known as a query letter, by comparison, should actually be pretty simple.
I would like to submit the enclosed picture book manuscript, centipedes play soccer, for your consideration. How to write a great cover letter for your childrens picture book submission to impress an editor. Dont focus so much on picture book manuscript format that you lose sight of character, plot, and writing style. Now, in a traditional hard copy submission, you would place your cover letter on top of your childrens book manuscript. How to draft proposals to childrens book publishers. Centipedes is a humorous story for children in the early grades that emphasizes the joy of participating in sports. Never submit a full manuscript with your cover letter unless you have specifically been requested to do so.
Literary agents will read the manuscript you send, and some the synopsis, but all will read the covering letter. Dec 09, 2014 i have a picture book manuscript that would target children up to three years of age. The writer above accomplishes this by noting the genre, setting, and plot. While the cover letter will not replace reading the manuscript, it will arouse the editor s interest if your descriptive statement fits a need they wish to fill. Unsolicited manuscript submission probably what most. The way i envision it is that there would be a picture for. Query letter basics for the childrens book market book. This letter is an introduction of you and your story for the editor. How to format a rhyming picture book manuscript for. After drafting descriptive sentences for your manuscript s, write them down also. In the beginning, you might try a few formulas and see what yields results. Presumably, youve researched and read the submission requirements for the particular editor you are submitting to, and you are following those requirements. This is the picture book manuscript yabby set in the standard submission format. Cover letters a few words on agents writing exercises links books on writing.
If a publisher requests query letters first, before full submission of the manuscript, then this will be your query letter. I wrote a cover letter to accompany the manuscript. I make no guarantees or warranties about any of the templates provided here. When i wrote my article on writing a synopsis, i mentioned that it was one of the most challenging tasks for authors. It helps if the editor can tell you put a bit of thought into. Nov 20, 2019 in the beginning, you might try a few formulas and see what yields results. Finding the right publisher for your childrens book manuscript. The main aim of your cover letter is to give the agentpublisher more detail about your manuscript and you, the author. Keep it professional, keep it courteous, and above all, dont be afraid to send it. Apr 17, 2017 if the manuscript is nonfiction, specify why you are qualifed to write this book. I was told before when writing the manuscript to only focus on that one book, and to reveal the ending of that one book. You can even include those credits in your cover letter if you really want to. You can even leave out the pages breaks, but include some information about the illustrations when it is vital to understanding the story as in the example, yabby.
Nov 21, 20 children s publishing is extremely competitive and there are so many writers out there trying to get their children s picture book into print. Making a cover letter for manuscript submission is crucial in your goal to finally be published. This book is geared toward one to threeyearolds, and i have enclosed my manuscript for your perusal. Spinelli did not write these letters, i am merely using his book as an example. Nov 29, 2012 this book is geared toward one to threeyearolds, and i have enclosed my manuscript for your perusal. Hints for a great cover letter tips on getting published rae rambles march 27, 2018. Both may be the only item an editor reads, unless its good. Haha magazine is a publication that values humor, an element i hope you enjoy in this story.
I also took it to my tenyearold sons class at school and the children there were equally enthusiastic. Simply include a sentence in your cover letter stating that this is a multiple submission. Obviously, an electronic letter is going to differ in several ways. Sep 30, 2015 the three items i submit are a cover letter, proposal and formatted manuscript. Apr 14, 2016 part informational and part sales pitch, the cover letter should provide necessary details to the agentpublisher as well as entice sell the reader to read more of your work ie the synopsis or the full manuscript. Childrens book editor childrens book illustrator free. Picture book submissions the great cover letter almost an author. Apr 01, 2011 a cover letter literally covers sits on top of the manuscript you are mailing in. May 17, 2014 onstage publishing publishes chapter books, middle grade novels and young adult novels.
Its my impression that since whole manuscripts are sent for picture book queries the letter is more of a cover letter, rather than trying to hook interest with a bit of the plot because the entire thing is there with the letter. With the likes of katniss everdeen and harry potter taking up much of pop culture discourse because of the overhype in a young adult. Cover letter example for fiction writers to send to agents. A terrific cover letter never sold a bad manuscript, and many lovely books have. Now, in a traditional hard copy submission, you would place your cover letter on top of your children s book manuscript. Jan 20, 2008 use a writers market guide or similar resource for contact information.
Your himilayan adventures can go into the author profile. If you dont make a good first impression, your childrens book manuscript will likely get sent right back to you accompanied by one of those dreaded rejection letters. From keyboard to printed page society of childrens book. Today well talk about the killer, knock the socks of an editor cover letter. You also have your picture book query letter, and, well, the most important thing. Sep 27, 2010 thanks, mary, for focusing on picture book queries today. Jul 25, 2018 a cover letter that accompanies a manuscript or a manuscript synopsis is also known as a query letter, and it should contain a compelling overview of the work, details about the writer s background and publishing history, and it should follow the publisher s guidelines for submission. How to write a picture book query the basics the layout of a picture book query. Likewise, if the market guidelines indicate that you should submit three sample chapters with your cover letter so that you writing ability can be assessed, do not send anything less or anything more. The first time you write it could be a really exciting process and it would take a mixture of balance and a certain professional candor.
When writing a query letter for a picture book you will basically have three main paragraphs, plus your signoff. May 25, 2006 read my post, anatomy of a query letter. An atrophied manuscript is far, far worse than a rejection. Ill tell you what c liu thinks what a cover letter is. The cover letters that grab my attention generally. Below is a sample cover letter otherwise known as a query letter sent by an aspiring writer to a literary agent.
Aim for no more than two pages of summary material. Write queries, cover letters, synopses, outlines, author. Finding the right publisher for your childrens book. Dont let them find grammatical errors, typos, wrong use of commas, etc. Reynolds, submitted for your consideration is the misfits of greenwood, a short story.
Be well written you are writing to people who care about. Writing a cover letter manuscript appraisal agency. From keyboard to printed page society of childrens. How to write a cover letter for a picture book manuscript. Apr 17, 2017 never submit a full manuscript with your cover letter unless you have specifically been requested to do so. Here are three common questions, answered for writers looking to pave a successful path into the world of publishing.
You can have the best cover letter in the world, but it wont get you anywhere without a great story to go along with it. I believe that childrens house publishing would be the best publishing house for this type of story because of your focus on books that help children who want to grow up too quickly. Submit your childrens book manuscript southwest human. Picture book submission, teen romance submission, etc. It s too bad that it s spread so widely, because a cover letter is still the professional thing to do. An impressive list of awards and pro credits mighton a rare occasionentice a slush reader whos already on the fence about a submission to. Remember, agentseditors can differ in what they expectwant from a query letter or cover letter, so please always check submission guidelines. It would look like a standard business letter with the date, contact information, and the actual content of the letter. Experienced authors who have managed to have their works published, know how difficult it is to make their first cover letter for manuscript publication. If over 100 pages, submit the first three chapters and a plot summary. If you dont make a good first impression, your children s book manuscript will likely get sent right back to you accompanied by one of those dreaded rejection letters. If you are submitting by snail mail your cover letter. How to write a proper short story cover letter the most important fact to remember about cover letters is this.
If you are submitting electronically, your email will be your cover letter. I will often draft a hook or pitch before my manuscript is submissionready. Most publishers and agents submission instructions tell picture book writers to send the entire manuscript with a cover letter. If you are approaching more than one editor or agent at a time with your manuscript make this clear in your letter. Do not submit the only copy of your manuscript, and do not include an sase. Its purpose is to put something officiallooking on top of your manuscript if the editor or agent has requested your work. If you didnt want them back, it was expected to mention in the cover letter that the manuscript copy you.
The point of the cover letter is to give context to what an agent is about to read, to interest the agent in you as a writer, and to give the agent some ideas about how they might begin to market and sell your work to editors and publishing houses. In the eyes of an agent, the presence of these could correlate later on to book sales which are good for their business. But i find myself in a quandary as to how to format it. If under 100 pages, submit the completed, doublespaced manuscript. In this case, the firsttime author had a connection to the agent. You can be a part of southwest human developments second annual first edition childrens book contest. Cover letter also formatted like a business letter. Heres an example of how a cover letter accompanying an electronic submission might read for a writer with few credits.
How to write a cover letter to a publisher pen and the pad. If the manuscript is nonfiction, specify why you are qualifed to write this book. Consult a written or online guide to childrens book publishers. Its something you stick on top of your manuscript when the editor or agent has already read your query letter at some point from an earlier communication and now youre following up with more material. A cover letter literally covers sits on top of the manuscript you are mailing in. The process of concocting a query is not nearly as difficult when you know the right formula. Publishers require prospective authors to submit either a proposal a longer document providing additional editorial and marketing information about your book or a query letter a onepage letter of introduction inviting the publisher to ask for more details about your project. It should reflect your great writing skills and make them want to keep reading and ask for more. I would like to submit the enclosed picture book manuscript. How to submit a childrens book to a publishing company.
How to format a picture book manuscript for publishers. A cover letter is something you send with your manuscript to an editor or an agent. Onstage publishing publishes chapter books, middle grade novels and young adult novels. This vid is a nononsense guide to submitting a picture book or a longer piece of fiction or nonfiction to a childrens book publisher.
Writing an effective one may take you a long time, but it is well worth the trouble. Jan 17, 2011 i was told before when writing the manuscript to only focus on that one book, and to reveal the ending of that one book. Editors see a gazillion manuscripts every day, and the sight of certain common errors makes them sigh with impatience. Because of the volume of manuscripts we receive, we are unable to track receipt of submissions or. The book is readily available, so you can check and see if my descriptions are good. The beginning of a cover letter is the same as the query letter with regards to format, headers, etc. Apr 23, 2009 this vid is a nononsense guide to submitting a picture book or a longer piece of fiction or nonfiction to a children s book publisher. Picture book format and how to format your manuscript. To show the editor that youve done your homework and know what hes looking for. The first letter, the bad example with an imaginary manuscript, has footnotes to the common mistakes, which you may jump to if you wish. Firsttime picture book author cover letters, exposed. Writing a cover letter to accompany your manuscript submission is a mechanism that enables you to detail the most vital elements of your work.
Getting published is not easy and, as the saying goes, it s who you know that counts. Spend time on your querycover letter and make it shine. I have a rhyming picture book manuscript that is just about submission ready. Stepbystep guide to finding the perfect publisher for your manuscript, by sandra l. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens book. Because of this, and because agents are very busy people, the writer kept the. Some children s books are not even as long as the letter, and you want the editor to lift the cover letter and be wowed by your first line.
We often get to see finished picture books in rhyme, but not their corresponding submission letters, so i feel a bit stuck. Include a brief cover letter with only information that is necessary for the editor to know, as it relates to your. She offers clients free query letter writing as part of her childrens book editing services. That story, i thought, must have started with a published author, who of course already had a relationship with editors or is at least known to them, and so didnt need to have a cover letter. Tips include formatting the manuscript, finding publisher.
This letter is your first point of contact between you and a publisher, therefore, it is crucial that aspiring authors know how to write a decent cover letter. Please find attached a synopsis and three chapters of my genre novel, ms title, which is. Top 10 tips to submitting a childrens picture book manuscript. Write queries, cover letters, synopses, outlines, author bios. How to format your childrens book manuscript dummies. May 31, 2006 its something you stick on top of your manuscript when the editor or agent has already read your query letter at some point from an earlier communication and now youre following up with more material. The way i envision it is that there would be a picture for each sentence. Mar 05, 2016 remember, agentseditors can differ in what they expectwant from a query letter or cover letter, so please always check submission guidelines. Your manuscript should always be accompanied by a short cover letter. If you are a writer wanting to recreate the same kind of magic in childrens books you hope to publish, you ought to understand early on, that books, especially those for children, do get judged by their covers. Introduce your manuscript and hook the editor into wanting to read it. Picture book submissions the great cover letter almost. Picture book submissions the great cover letter almost an.
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