Cover letter

[EndlessDestiny]

What should be included in a cover letter? Name, I assume. Word Count? Personal information?

[cwfgal]

A cover letter is used when sending requested material. Is that what you are doing or are you talking about a query letter?

Beth

[wandergirl]

Scroll down nearly to the bottom of the page:
http://www.agentquery.com/format_tips.aspx
You'll find an example of a properly formatted cover letter (assuming you mean the cover, or first page, of your manuscript)

[EndlessDestiny]

"Please submit three chapters (or equivalent sample) and a synopsis. Hint: Include a short cover "letter" in the body of your email."

Not a query letter. I understand those. Also, the synopsis should be a few pages, right?

[James D. Macdonald]

The Perfect Cover Letter (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=82541&postcount=251) from the Learn Writing with Uncle Jim thread.

A synopsis should be either one page, or ten pages, single spaced.

[Feathers]

Scroll down nearly to the bottom of the page:
http://www.agentquery.com/format_tips.aspx
You'll find an example of a properly formatted cover letter (assuming you mean the cover, or first page, of your manuscript)


I am so bookmarking this.

I'm pretty sure that the cover letter is as brief as you can get; no trying to pitch your novel or give your bio. Put the agent's address, agency, and name on top. Then on a new line say something like: "I've enclosed my 80,000 word novel, Mr Famous Author, at your request. Thank you for your consideration" And then put your name and contact info. Basically, you just want to remind the agent that they requested your work and what it is; they don't need a pitch at this point.

-Feathers