Example childrens book submission letter

Firsttime picture book author cover letters, exposed. How to write a great cover letter for your childrens picture book. If you need a visual, an example template for a query letter is included in the book version of my crash course. Here is a sample letter that you would put onto letterhead, or into email. This includes an email letter you might send if youre submitting a digital version of your manuscript. If you are submitting by snail mail your cover letter is on a separate sheet and included in the envelope with your manuscript. After missing her train on that fateful tuesday morning, a part of. All details in the following example are fictitious. How to format your childrens book manuscript dummies. Obviously, an electronic letter is going to differ in several ways. This saves you time if the story or poem gets accepted somewhere else and you have to write to withdraw your submission. How to write a darn good query letter ny book editors. Apr 17, 2017 hook the editor with a question, a provocative statement, a statistic, or even a short excerpt from the book. Use 12point times new roman or arial font unless the publishers submission guidelines indicate otherwise.

How to format a picture book for submission pen and the pad. When you submit your manuscript to an agent, editor or publisher the first thing they will. I read the manuscript of my book to my six children and they all loved it. How to write a killer cover letter to publishers writers edit. 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. If your manuscript is of interest, the editor will request a submission. This is the suggested formatting when submitting a picture book text to publishers. Nov 26, 2018 remember that picture book format is just one small component of a successful childrens book submission. The book provides helpful information and examples of many query letters. Yes, this has actually happened do number pages and put your name and the book title on each dont waste paper i.

A somewhat longer, 12 paragraph, introduction to the book. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens book editors. Now, in a traditional hard copy submission, you would place your cover letter on top of your children s book manuscript. The cover letter otherwise known as a query letter, by comparison, should actually be pretty simple. Writers use these letters to pitch their ideas to editors and publishers. For nonfiction, platform and qualifications are very important, so your query should be 60% about the book, 40% about your platform if your book is about surviving in the himalayas, your adventures are relevant and important. A query is a business letter asking permission to send the project described. Aug 18, 2018 the process of concocting a query is not nearly as difficult when you know the right formula. I only found one publisher like this in my search of 2011 childrens. Since most agents ask that the picture book manuscript be included in the submission, writing a really meaty query letter for picture book, especially for that short a manuscript seems a bit silly. This letter should do more than pique an editors interest. If you need a visual, an example template of a cover letter is included in. Jan 17, 2011 here are a few suggestions for you to consider when approaching an agent.

They are interested in why you think your book would fit well with their current line. A submission letter can be a terrifying hurdle to overcome in the journey towards possible publication, but there are some simple steps you can take to make it less of a chore. Now, in a traditional hard copy submission, you would place your cover letter on top of your childrens book manuscript. The first letter, the bad example with an imaginary manuscript, has footnotes to the. It is either sent without an accompanying manuscript, or with two or three sample chapters the publishers guidelines will state which form the query should take. Smith, i am writing in regards to my 2,000word manuscript, tentatively titled, sophias cooking class. From keyboard to printed page society of childrens book. An impressive list of awards and pro credits mighton a rare occasionentice a slush reader whos already on the fence about a submission to.

For a fiction submission, ensure the letter is more about the book than you. If the query letter stands alone, its your only chance to sell the editor on your book. Apr 01, 2011 a cover letter literally covers sits on top of the manuscript you are mailing in. This is the picture book manuscript yabby set in the standard submission format. Query letter basics for the childrens book market book. Below is a sample cover letter otherwise known as a query letter sent by an aspiring writer to a literary agent. Dont focus so much on picture book manuscript format that you lose sight of character, plot, and writing style. Marlo garner writes, illustrates, and edits childrens books and teaches writing and revision workshops. When you send the letter, do not include the entire manuscript or even sections of it. Check out their websites for information regarding submission guidelines and the kind of books they currently publish. Sep 27, 2010 since most agents ask that the picture book manuscript be included in the submission, writing a really meaty query letter for picture book, especially for that short a manuscript seems a bit silly. How to write a picture book query the basics the layout of a picture book query. Peevish, warned her that shed be fired if she was late to work one more time.

A cover letter literally covers sits on top of the manuscript you are mailing in. You might find that the submission system for your chosen journal requires your cover letter to be submitted into a text box rather than as a separate document, but it is still a good idea to draft your. Both letters serve the same purposes of highlighting your book and making it something an editor will want to pursue. Your himilayan adventures can go into the author profile. But for a simple covering letter to accompany your onepage synopsis and three sample chapters usually or whole text if its a picture book, these tips will. If youre taking my online crash course, return to write queries, cover letters, synopses, outlines, author bios, and more. If you need further help to write a cover letter for a journal, you can download and use our sample standard cover letter template as a guide. Either get feedback from a writers group or a writing class or engage the services of a professional childrens book editor or book doctor. If theres no clear way to signal direct authority or credentialsfor example, you wrote a thriller or a romance novelthen dont make up things or try to invent authority. Do send a copy dont send your original do make it neat, clean and presentable dont accidentally include a squashed prawn from your sarnie. How to write an author cover letter the balance careers. For nonfiction, platform and qualifications are very important, so your query should be 60% about the book, 40% about your platform if your book is about surviving in the himalayas, your adventures are.

Cover letter example for fiction writers to send to agents. It would look like a standard business letter with the date, contact information, and the actual content of the letter. By the way, we make a distinction between a cover letter and a query letter. When i see a picture book query done well and when i write my own picture book pitches, in fact its usually very simple. In this case, the firsttime author had a connection to the agent. Hints for a great cover letter the steve laube agency. If you write fiction or narrative nonfiction, a query letter is your first and often, your only chance to get an agent interested in reading and, with hope, signing your work. Most publishers and agents submission instructions tell picture book writers to send the entire manuscript with a cover letter. This letter is an introduction of you and your story for the editor. How to submit your childrens books ideas to agencies. How to write the perfect query letter query letter example. How to write a cover letter for a picture book manuscript. Picture book submissions the great cover letter almost an. Wow children book publishers with perfect query letters.

When i wrote my article on writing a synopsis, i mentioned that it was one of the most challenging tasks for authors. Remember to use these as hintsdo not follow them slavishly as if a literary agent is going to spend their time critiquing your cover letter. Picture book submissions the great cover letter almost. It tells the story of briefly capture the book synopsis in one or two sentences here. Here are three common questions, answered for writers looking to pave a successful path into the world of publishing. It should outline your plot in neutral nonsalesy language and demonstrate a clear story arc. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens. If you can write a novel, you can write that letter. Cover letter template for journal submissions author services. Sample query letter the query letter sample below will help you create a successful query letter of your own, so you can get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal.

If you are submitting electronically, your email will be your cover letter. Read the query letter on page 11 of this guide, or online at resource library. Nov 20, 2019 keep your first letter as a template, making adjustments for each journal. 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. Anatomy of a childrens book synopsis writing for children. If a publisher requests query letters first, before full submission of the manuscript, then this will be your query letter. Not a fullscale plot summary, thats for the synopsis. Editors see a gazillion manuscripts every day, and the sight of certain common errors makes them sigh with impatience. How to write a cover letter to a publisher pen and the pad.

A query letter is a way of introducing your writing to editors or literary agents and publishers. Writing a cover letter manuscript appraisal agency. Remember that picture book format is just one small component of a successful childrens book submission. Its part of our free 15part guidelines on how to write a query letter by mark malatesta, a former literary agent and former marketing. A query letter is a onepage letter sent to literary agents in an effort to get them excited about your book. When you write your own letter, be sure to only include details which are relevant to your own book and situation. Sometimes including an excerpt from the manuscript can be a good approachfor example the beginning paragraph if you have a good hook. Both may be the only item an editor reads, unless its good. I am submitting my picture book or whatever kind of book you are submitting for ages 48 titled my book title in caps. Dear susan jones, my name is tom smith, and my novel, skiing in interzone has just been published by raku snowboot press.

Picture book submissions the great cover letter almost an author. For this blog im going to focus on five very practical elements of a submission. You have one page and 300 words or less to woo a literary agent into falling in love with your story and then requesting your manuscript. I wrote a cover letter to accompany the manuscript i subbed to my publisher while. I have just been reading about writing a synopsis for a childrens book. This letter should include a catchy summary of your picture book, along with a brief author bio and a list of your significant writing credits andor awards. Remember that picture book format is just one small component of a successful children s book submission. Keep it professional, keep it courteous, and above all, dont be afraid to send it. How to write a proper short story cover letter the most important fact to remember about cover letters is this.

Give a very brief 1sentence summary of the book and your purpose in writing it. Tell which age group and if theres a specific market, highlight it here. Today well talk about the killer, knock the socks of an editor cover letter. Some editors like to read that you have researched the market regarding books similar to yours. How to write a proper short story cover letter alex.

Mar 05, 2016 remember, agentseditors can differ in what they expectwant from a query letter or cover letter, so please always check submission guidelines. Cover letters for electronic submissions to childrens book. Picture book format and how to format your manuscript. For some types of books and authors, this is harder to do. An atrophied manuscript is far, far worse than a rejection. Turn off the function that takes an entire paragraph at the bottom of the page to the following page if the paragraph is split between two pages. 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. I started writing for the childrens book market approximately 6 months before. Because of this, and because agents are very busy people, the writer kept the letter brief and to the point. Say for example, its a book for children having surgery, or a bed time story for preschool children, or for young girls 46 who love purses.

Query letters for children s book fiction musings archive for april 2003. In a single page, the writer aims to make the editorpublisher get interested in reading or publishing the entire story. This will comprise the first paragraph of your cover letter. It should reflect your great writing skills and make them want to keep reading and ask for more. Be sure your manuscript is complete and polished to a shine before you submit it. If you plan to submit to a journal more than once, save that letter separately under the journal s name. A cover letter is essentially a business letter introducing your story and yourself to the editor. The editor or agents name, title if editor, company, and address. You also have your picture book query letter, and, well, the most important thing.

Sep 30, 2015 the three items i submit are a cover letter, proposal and formatted manuscript. Writing a cover letter the manuscript appraisal agency. The main aim of your cover letter is to give the agentpublisher more detail about your manuscript and you, the author. A query letter is always recommended before submitting a full manuscript. You give a great advice but i have written a childrens book, aimed at a target age of 3 to 4 years but it only consists of 18 pages have you any advice on writing a synopsis for a short story book please. A cover letter introduces you and your novel to potential publishers. Say for example, its a book for children having surgery, or a bed time story for. Since so much of fiction is a matter of taste, the letter needs to be targeted carefully. Every major plot twist, character, and any big turning point or climatic scene should get a mention. Whether you write a printed letter or an email, the information contained here must be followed to the letter for a publisher. How to write a successful query letter example and template.