short story query?

A standard short story cover letter (not really a query) is a simple thing whose sole purpose is to mention any writing credits you have or anything else that might potentially be of interest. With a novel query, you are trying to hook interest to get somebody to commit to reading the thing; with a short story cover letter, you are just saying howdy because they will read the story no matter what (although some may stop earlier than others once they know it isn't right for their magazine)(and this assumes the story follows submission guidelines for the magazine).

Some magazines like potential bios to be included also, but that depends on the magazine. So read the submission guidelines very carefully and make sure you ave everything necessary! If you have no relevant publication credits, just skip that line in the cover letter. A lot of cover letters are just skimmed anyway. Some folk don't even read the cover letter until after they've read the story.

Example (a bit dry and sad, but functional):


Dear <Awesome Editor's Name>,

I am submitting "Great Story You'll Love", a <word count>-word <genre> short, for your consideration. My fiction can be found in <list of cool magazines you have been published in>. Thank you for your time.


Best wishes,
<Your name>




-Michelle

Michelle pretty much has it.

A query letter for a short story is more like a cover letter. Short and to the point. You want to state your name, the story you're submitting (with word count), and I like to state why I feel the story would be right for their magazine/publisher.

Then in another paragraph, I state my writing credits/short bio.

BE SURE TO THANK THE EDITOR in your letter for taking time to consider your manuscript!! Very important.

When I close, I put my name, my pen name in parentheses, and all my current contact information. You'd hate to have a story accepted, then not be able to be reached (which means, no short story publication for you!)!

The exception to the standard cover letter is when a magazine specifically asks for a "query." That is not unusual for longer pieces. A lot of mags who publish stories of 10-30K will ask you to query first, before you send a fifty page MS. That letter should be like a novel query. You should pitch the story, complete with hook and some relevant details to attract the editor's attention.

Michelle's example seems fine to me. Read the guidelines though, occasionally an editor will want a synopsis or for you to add more information and sometimes they'll request that you don't send queries or covering letters - always sub in the way they want you to.

Yeah, like they said. It doesn't need to be flashy or gimmicky. Just a quick paragraph explaining what the story is about and why you chose their publication, a list of credits if you have any, and a thank you. Piece of cake.

Cybernaught said:

Yeah, like they said. It doesn't need to be flashy or gimmicky. Just a quick paragraph explaining what the story is about and why you chose their publication, a list of credits if you have any, and a thank you. Piece of cake.

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I have never bothered explaining what the story is about, have never mentioned why I chose the publication, and I rarely mention credits unless I've sold to the same mag in the past. I keep it as simple as possible.

Hello John.

Please find attached "My big bundle of fun", 3000 wds approx. I'm offering 1st NASR.

Yours

Willie Meikle
[email protected]
http://www.williammeikle.com

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williemeikle said:

I have never bothered explaining what the story is about, have never mentioned why I chose the publication, and I rarely mention credits unless I've sold to the same mag in the past. I keep it as simple as possible.

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Even better.

williemeikle said:

I have never bothered explaining what the story is about, have never mentioned why I chose the publication, and I rarely mention credits unless I've sold to the same mag in the past. I keep it as simple as possible.

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Agreed.

In fact, many editors strongly dislike it if you include an explantion in the cover letter. The story will stand or fall on its own. All you need to do is include the basics: title, SASE enclosed, disposable manuscript or not. And a thank-you for their time.

And I only mention my best and most recent credits.