Short Stories- Query or Unsolicited Manuscript?

[JrFFKacy]

For magazines that accept short stories as unsolicited manuscripts, would I be better to send the whole thing, or send a query first. I read somewhere that editors like queries because it's only a page for them to read instead of a whole manuscript. If they can tell from the three paragraph query that they can't use the story, then they can reject it then and save time. Is this true? (The book was from the late '80s so I'm wondering if times have changed and this is now unacceptable?)

Also, would it be acceptable to send a query instead of a manuscript to a publisher that accepts unsolicited manuscripts? I guess I should rephrase that: Will sending a query instead of a manuscript be a smart thing to do, or will it get me automatically rejected and make me look like a newbie that can't read guidelines?

My queries address how I think the short story will be useful for the magazine ('In your guidelines you say you want this, my story addresses that in this way' type of explanation.)

It just seems somewhat wasteful to send off ten pages to a publisher when they might take one look at my cover letter and realize right then that they can't use the story. A query and SASE seems like a much more efficient way to use an editors time and my paper, ink and postage.

[Chris P]

I have yet to submit to a short story market that wants a query first. Think of it this way: if you send a query first the editor has to wait to make a decision about your story. It just ads a step to the process. Since a long-ish short is about 5000 words, by the time the editor replies saying he wants pages he could have already screened the story and made a determination. Unlike books which require a 70K+ word investment.

Be sure to read the submission guidelines, of course. Just because I've never encountered it doesn't mean some editors don't want a query first. Oh, and although I've only had a few shorts published (so far :)) I've yet to have to sell an editor by describing the fit to the magazine.

[waylander]

Just send the manuscript.

[Izz]

I've seen perhaps two magazines (out of hundreds) that want a query instead of the story. Most magazines only want a brief cover letter (Hi, Here is my story, These are a few of my previous credits, Look forward to hearing from you, Regards) and the story.

As Chris P said, always make sure you read the guidelines first. Some mags want the story as an attachment, others in the body of an email, others engraved on stone and sent with a golden apple...

[pdr]

checking the guidelines carefully before submitting. But I have only subbed to a handful of editors who required a query first. Everyone else wants the completed manuscript.

[Polenth]

It sounds as though you read the submission guidelines, but felt it can't have been what they really meant. Trust the guidelines. They're not trying to fool you. If they say they want the full story, that's exactly what they want.

[jaksen]

Send. The. Whole. Story.

[alexshvartsman]

I can think of only two SF/F markets that want a query before you send the entire story: Abandoned Towers and Schrodinger's Mouse.

While literary markets may differ, a vast majority of them will want to see the full MS. Do NOT waste their time with a query unless they specifically request it. Send what they asked for, and in the precise format/way they specified in the submission guidelines. It's hard enough to break into markets; you don't need to make it harder on yourself by getting "creative" with the submission process :)

[Buffysquirrel]

A query just wastes the editor's time (unless it's what they want). Also, the fit? Their call. No amount of argument will convince them to take a story they don't think fits.

[JrFFKacy]

Thanks!

I figured, just thought I'd ask. I know if it was me, I'd rather just see the story than a letter trying to describe it.