Fast Job Resume . comLearn how to write a resume, write a cover letter, and
find a job or find a new career-- fast!
How to write a cover letter for a novel?
Posted by
brian
in
(HELP) - Cover Letter Samples
on
Apr 30th, 2010
|
3 responses
It’s part of a query letter, and it’s supposed to include the title and category of my work, an estimated word count, and an introduction (general and brief). How do I start it? Do I say, “Hi, my name is _____ and I’m looking for an agent?” Obviously not, but what should I say? Does anyone have any ideas or a possible template for me to work with?
Image taken on 2008-09-29 13:03:41. Image Source. (Used with permission)
Related posts:
3 Responses to “How to write a cover letter for a novel?”
We are now on Facebook!
Freelance Writing Group
Sell your book. Write a short summary that captivates the agent enough to want to read the manuscript. Like the summaries of books on the jackets that are used to catch the reader’s attention.
Good luck!
It sounds like you’re talking about query letter and not a cover letter. There are many ways to write it. You can say something like
[A couple of paragraphs about your novel]
NOVEL NAME is an Urban Fantasy complete at 60,000-words, and is the debut novel of [your name].
In publishing, titles are written in all caps. You want to mention that it’s a fully complete, and edited novel. Debut means it’s your first novel and that you’ve never been published. The word count matters because if your novel is too long or short then that means automatic rejection, so they won’t waste time requesting a partial or full manuscript.
If you don’t have any writing credentials or anything that’s been published in a real magazine or book or newspaper then this will be pretty short. You don’t need to give your age unless someone specifically asks for it or if someone offers to represent you, then you need to disclose your age.
It’s probably best if you leave the personal details as the last paragraph and start the query letter with what your book is about. Always address the agent by name and don’t send the same e-mail to many agents; each agent should have their own, separate e-mail. You can find examples of query letters over the Internet.
I’d recommend picking up a copy of The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters by Wendy Burt-Thomas (ISBN: 9781582975665). It’s the best resource I’ve found in helping to write query letters, and is filled with both good and bad examples.
Good luck!