What do you put in a COVER LETTER?

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Question:

Do's and don't's when writing a cover letter to someone you want to submit to!?

Any advice!?

Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

This is for a cover letter you are sending to a publisher or a magazine along with your manuscript:

Basically, start out by saying that you are submitting a disposable copy of your manuscript for them to consider for publication!.

In a few sentences, try to grab their attention about your story!. In the short story market, it is not as paramount as it is when submitting to book publishers that you attract their attention!. Chances are, they will read your manuscript anyway!. But try to make your story seem very interesting!.

Then, if you have any credentials, list them!. For instance, if you have had anything published before, mention that!. But do not make it up!. They will get very angry, because they can research the things you say you've published!. But if you don't have any previous publications, just write a short paragraph about yourself, and mention anything about you that may relate to the story!. If you are a scientist and submitting a science fiction story, definitely tell them that!. Otherwise, just mention your age and something about you!.

Then you tell them you've enclosed a SASE (Self Addressed, Stamped Envelope) for their correspondence!. If you don't send one, you won't receive a reply!. Thank them for their time, and then give a salutation and skip about four spaces and then type your name!. Sign it once you print it!.

Cover letters can be slightly different than that, it just depends on what they're asking for!. But make sure you proofread it!. They don't like to see cover letters with errors!.

Good luck on the submission!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Custom-make each cover letter for the company or firm to whom you're sending your resume!. Do some research so you can say something positive about that company that you could use to explain why you want to work for them!.

Remember, you have to sell them on hiring you rather than the hundreds of other people who sent in resumes!. Cusomizing each cover letter demonstrates ingenuity, the ability to find out information, and a willingness to do a job (write the cover letter) well!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

DO be honest!.
DO make sure you tell them what you want!.
DONT make spelling mistakes!.
DONT be rude or make them feel like theyre doing you a favour!.
DO write to lots of different people!.Www@QuestionHome@Com