Step 3

Writer Essentials for Submitting: Step 3

You’ve got a great story. You’ve completed Step 1 and Step 2. Now follow with Step 3 here. Next go to Step 4. Then you’ll have the Essentials for Submitting: Go for it.

Write the pitch, query letter, cover letter, resume, bio, and/or proposal as required by the  guidelines of the editor, agent, or contest you chose for submission this time.

A. Write your pitch. A pitch is an eye-catching, heart-trapping summary of your book or article. It can also be called your “Hook.”

Both query letters and submission/cover letters need a short pitch of 25 words or less. Ask your critique group or partner to help you formulate a good pitch. Write it on a 3×5 card. If you can’t get it all written on the front side of the card, it’s too long.

B. Write a query letter.

    • To see how Query Shark revises query letters so they work, go to: http://queryshark.blogspot.com/

    • For a query sample, names of books and links to online articles about query letters, check out Charlotte Dillon’s website: http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html/. Awesome resource!

    • To see how to write a pitch (query) letter for an article you’ve written: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Pitch-Letter

C. If you’re submitting a manuscript or article, write a submission/cover letter to accompany it.  A good submission/cover letter:

    • Leads off with the pitch for your manuscript.

    • Mentions one book published by the editor or represented by the agent that is similar to yours and how yours would hook readers and attract them to it.

    • Mentions if you’re a member of SCBWI or another national organization for writers.  SCBWI has a great reputation with publishers.

    • States Your Wish for Publication or Representation:
       I hope you will publish my book.
      or  I hope you will represent me as my agent.

    • Resources for cover letters:
      a. Ginny Wiehardt. “Cover Letter Advice.” Fiction Writing.com: http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/thebusinessofwriting/tp/coverslettershowto.htm

b. “My Perfect Cover Letter:” https://www.myperfectcoverletter.com/ 

c. John Floyd. “Cover Me – I’m Going In!” http://www.writing-world.com/queries/floyd.shtml

d. Moira Allen. “Cover Letters: When, How and Why to Use Them.” http://www.writing-world.com/queries/cover.shtml

D. Write your resume or bio. 

    • Include your snail mail address, phone number, email address, website, blog.

    • List all memberships in professional organizations.

    • Include all of your publishing credits. If you don’t have any publishing credits, list your blog, number of views and number of subscribers.

E. If you are submitting a non-fiction book, you may need to write a book proposal. https://www.janefriedman.com/start-here-how-to-write-a-book-proposal/

 

Thank you for reading my blog.  Please leave a comment or email me at joanyedwards1@gmail.com. I love reading your stories and opinions.

Never Give Up
Live with Enthusiasm
Celebrate Each Step You Take

Joan Y. Edwards
Copyright © 2011-22 Joan Y. Edwards

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Write the pitch, query letter, cover letter, resume, bio, and/or proposal as required by the  guidelines of the editor, agent, or contest you chose for submission this time.

  1. Write your pitch. A pitch is an eye-catching, heart-trapping summary of your book or article. It can also be called your “Hook.”

Both query letters and submission/cover letters need a short pitch of 25 words or less. Ask your critique group or partner to help you formulate a good pitch. Write it on a 3×5 card. If you can’t get it all written on the front side of the card, it’s too long.

  1. Write a query letter.
  • To see how Query Shark revises query letters so they work, go to: http://queryshark.blogspot.com/
  • For a query sample, names of books and links to online articles about query letters, check out Charlotte Dillon’s website: http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html/. Awesome resource!
  • To see how to write a pitch (query) letter for an article you’ve written: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Pitch-Letter
  1. If you’re submitting a manuscript or article, write a submission/cover letter to accompany it.  A good submission/cover letter:
  • Leads off with the pitch for your manuscript.
  • Mentions one book published by the editor or represented by the agent that is similar to yours and how yours would hook readers and attract them to it.
  • Mentions if you’re a member of SCBWI or another national organization for writers.  SCBWI has a great reputation with publishers.
  • States Your Wish for Publication or Representation:

 I hope you will publish my book.

 I hope you will represent me as my agent.

           Resources for cover letters:

  1. Ginny Wiehardt. “Cover Letter Advice.”Fiction Writing.com http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/thebusinessofwriting/tp/coverslettershowto.htm
  2. Debra Wheatman. Quint Careers.com. “Effective cover Letter.” http://www.quintcareers.com/effective_cover-letter.html
  3. John Floyd. “Cover Me – I’m Going In!” http://www.writing-world.com/queries/floyd.shtml
  4. Moira Allen. “Cover Letters: When, How and Why to Use Them.” http://www.writing-world.com/queries/cover.shtml
  5. Write your resume or bio. 
  • Include your snail mail address, phone number, email address, website, blog.
  • List all memberships in professional organizations.
  • Include all of your publishing credits. If you don’t have any publishing credits, list your blog, number of views and number of subscribers.
  1. If you are submitting a non-fiction book, you may need to write a book proposal. https://www.janefriedman.com/start-here-how-to-write-a-book-proposal/

Please leave a comment or send me an email to  joanyedwards1@gmail.com. I love hearing from you.

Never Give Up
Live with Enthusiasm
Celebrate Each Step You Take

Joan Y. Edwards
Copyright © 2011-22 Joan Y. Edwards

 

 

2 thoughts on “Step 3”

    1. Dear Mary Jo,
      Thank you for writing. You are welcome for input that helps you on the road to publication. Let me know when you hear a yes.

      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

Comments are closed.

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