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Perceptions
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How to Write Cover LettersTippi N. Blevins in an article on Cover Letters stated the following: "When writing a cover letter, a good general rule to remember is: Keep it simple. Chances are, the editor of any given magazine receives dozens of manuscripts a day and only has time to read absolutely vital information. So, when in doubt, go for a shorter, rather than longer, cover letter." When do you use a Cover Letter instead of a Query Letter? A Cover letter may accompany a Short Story or a poem, and yes, a manuscript that has been requested by an editor or agent. It differs little from a Query Letter. Make sure your name, mailing address, and Email address, if you have one, is on the heading of your letter. Also, if you do not mind a phone call, put your telephone number here: Your Full Name
Kim Smith, Dear Kim Smith: Please consider for publication my attached short story (5000 words) "Tulsa Burning." After reading several issues of your magazine, I feel this fictionalized story of an actual race riot which took place in Tulsa during the 1920s, would be well received by your readers. The story relates the personal experiences of two African American women and a native American woman who survived this horrific episode and how the event changed their lives. For the past 34 years, I have lived in Tulsa and studied historical events of the City, and feel well qualified to write this historical tale of misunderstanding and survival. As a literary critic, I have published some 600 book reviews in the Tulsa World newspaper and written columns for regional publications on the City of Tulsa and its coming of age. My short stories, motivational articles, and columns as well as personal interviews have been published in both regional and national publications. Three clips of my work are included. I am offering this story to you exclusively for six weeks, after which, if I have not heard from you, I will submit to other publications. Thank you for your consideration of my story. If you have questions or if I may offer other information on my qualifications, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Sincerely, Signature here Your name typed here Encls. (4) This is all you need to say in a cover letter for a short story. If you were offering a poem, you might use a similar format. Keep it brief as possible. My example is actually a bit longer than I like. If I were including a requested manuscript of a novel to a publisher or agent, I would, of course, change the format. I would mention the date of our last communication, thank the person for requesting the manuscript, etc. Also, if you want your work returned, you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough to hold the work submitted. Cover letters need not frighten you and there are many resources available at your local book stores and libraries to show you how to do these. Write the letter to fit your work, do not blow your own horn too loud and do not get cute with your content. This is not the place for showing your humor. Writing is a business, a serious business. Notice, I gave exclusive rights for six weeks. If I had submitted this story to other magazines, I would have so informed the editor. Be honest, do not play games. It is permissible to do multiple submissions to editors, but they prefer exclusives when possible. Never submit more than one short story or two to three poems in any one submission. Some poetry houses allow several poems, but magazines do not like more than one short story per submission. Also note, I used the editor's full name which I took off the masthead of the magazine. I did not use Ms. Miss or Mr. because I did not know the gender of the editor. Jones is a published writer & a book critic for The Tulsa World newspaper COPYRIGHT 2009 Patricia A. Jones All Rights Reserved |
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