Paper and Envelopes

I would, simply because it looks more professional. A query's just as important as a 'proper' submission in my opinion. It's what gives the agent his/her first impression of you and you don't want to look like a cheapskate.

Use a good, bright paper (I'm trying to remember my scales here; I think you want around 120 brightness) and at least 20lb paper. I mean, you don't want to be sending your stories out on cardstock, but you don't want it to be thin and flimsy with the ink showing through, either.

I don't know how much it helps, but it doesn't seem to hurt. I sent out all of my recent query letters on ivory résumé paper -- the fancy watermarked kind -- with matching envelopes. Out of the four responses I've received, three of them were requests for partials.

~JM.

As an add-on question; I usually fold my queries once and use an A5 envelope - bearing in mind this is ONLY when I'm sending a query letter and very, very occasionally a two-page synopsis as well. Is this acceptable to most agents?

The reason I ask is, when I was at school and at various place of work, I was taught business letters should be folded into thirds, and yet other people say fold it as little as possible because creased paper looks unprofessional, even messy.

A4 just looks weird for anything other than a proposal, partial or full, so I figured one fold would be okay, and wouldn't obscure or wrinkle the letter too much.

That's a good question, I'll be interested to see what people say. Those rare queries I send out which aren't e-queries (I'm being dragged into the 21st Century without realizing it) I always fold in thirds because that's how I was taught too.

I don't know if I'd use resume paper, in that I'd be worried of coming off a bit pretentious. I mean, there's nothing actively wrong with it, but it wouldn't sit right with me. If I do resume paper, then I'll also include a CD of haunting-but-pretty violin music and request that they put it on while reading my query by candlelight, or something....

Take this with a grain of salt.

When just sending a query, I think it is fine to send tri-folded in a standard #10 business envelope. However, if you are including additional pages ie. synopsis and sample pages, I think it is more appropriate to send in a 9x12 catalog envelope (White, and without a clasp) This makes a much cleaner (no folds) and easier to read presentation.

Just my humble opinion.

If I send any pages beyond a query (and maaaaybe a one page synopsis) then it definitely goes into a bigger envelope. I really don't like folding story pages together. For any reason.

The paper and envelope make absolutely no difference.
It is merely another thing to obsess about. Normal copy paper and regular envelopes are not what makes an agent reject a writer's work. I do agree that larger envelopes are nicer for partials so they are not folded but yanno, if the writing is stellar it can be on cardboard with crayon.
JMHO
http://pkwood.blogspot.com

I'm going to agree with Orion. It's the writing that matters. Of course your presentation should be clean and easy to read. But I can't believe* an agent or editor is going to think "You know this query isn't very impressive, but it's on really nice paper so I know this guy's serious about his writing."

*Keep in mind this is an opinion and should be taken with a heapin' helpin' of table salt.

Hmmm. I always sent my queries in manilla envelopes.

Of course I also got rejected a lot before I started e-submitting. And when I say "a lot," I mean "every time."

I only did this because I don't know how to fold. Clothes, paper, anything. I would have a better chance of pulling off an origami International Space Station than I would tri-folding a query.

Paper

From my experience, paper and envelopes can make a big difference. Human nature is human nature, and it's just natural to reach for something nice before something plain, and to subconsciously put a little more stock in someone with a more professional manner. Especially with a query. A query is as much, or more, about the writer as about the story, and selling yourself will often get you further than trying to sell words on paper. How you come across matters.

The idea is to get an agent to look at your manuscript, and how you present yourself can mean as much as how you present the story. Agents and editors see hundreds of good queries, but request manuscripts from only a few.

It is the writing that matters, but it's naive to think it's always and forever the only thing that matters, and it's naive to think the medium can't hinder the message. First impressions matter, as well. And sometimes a yes or a no is determined by who gets opened first, not by who was better.

In the job market, it's supposed to be skills that matter, but try going to a job inteview without showering or shaving, and wearing ratty clothing. Few would do this, even for a position in the back room where the public will never see how they look.

It's easy to say don't obsess, but when it's said too many times for too many things it soon becomes laziness.

And two things I can absolutely guarantee: 1. You do not have to obsess in order to use good paper and good envelopes. You simply have to reach for it next time you go shopping, and be willing to pay about two bucks more for a fairly large pack that should last months and months. 2. In no way, shape, or form will using good paper and good envelopes harm your query at all, ever, in any way, so why not use it.

Your manuscript will have to sell itself, but a professional query letter, one that looks professional, that tells an agent or editor you're willing to put a little money where your mouth is, that you take writing seriously, can make said agent or editor ask to see your manuscript, and that's what it's all about.

For twenty bucks, at Office Depot, I get a box of five reams (of five hundred sheets each) of 120 brightness, 20-pound paper. It's good solid stuff and I use it for everything.

That'll last you awhile, and even if it doesn't, it's only twenty bucks.

Good paper and presentation does make a difference, though. Otherwise, why bother formatting at all? They're only going to reject you based on your writing. send it in any old type font, any old size, anything you like. Fold the pages into how you want your book to be shaped.

...except it does matter. Because if you have weird formatting on cheap paper that won't hold up around the house (let alone around an agency or publishing house) then you're not helping yourself any.

Plus, you should always go looking your best. It doesn't hurt. It's the writing equivalent of zipping up your pants before you leave the house.

You mean my novel submission to the agent will get rejected because I only used 92 brightness and sent the query and first 5 pages tri-folded in a number 10 business envelope?

Shadow_Ferret said:

You mean my novel submission to the agent will get rejected because I only used 92 brightness and sent the query and first 5 pages tri-folded in a number 10 business envelope?

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Yes.

And they'll laugh at you too.

And then they'll steal your story.

I hope you're kidding. I'm feeling enough anxiety over this without you adding to it.

Of course I'm kidding. Be anxiety free.

Good. Because when I used to submit short stories, anything under 10 pages was tri-folded and stuffed in a #10 envelope.

I think you can get away with anything as long as the content's legible and good. Just don't write in your own blood, unless maybe it's horror...

Just Me said:

I don't know how much it helps, but it doesn't seem to hurt. I sent out all of my recent query letters on ivory résumé paper -- the fancy watermarked kind -- with matching envelopes. Out of the four responses I've received, three of them were requests for partials.

~JM.

Click to expand...

Let me tell you, that has absolutely nothing to do with it! I use that fancy stuff for my queries, and 24 lb white paper for everything else, and I haven't had agents exactly drooling over it. My conclusion: the paper doesn't make all that much difference. Still, a nice ivory query letter does makes it stand out, not only from the competition, but from the rest of your query package (assuming you've included sample material). The main thing is, make sure that your printing is nice and dark and easily readable.

As for some super-white paper, that's not necessary. No reason to blind the agent, but don't send them recycled paper either. Unless you know for a fact that they're ecologically minded.

That's why I use 100-brightness, or in that range, and nothing brighter. Mostly, I find that if I use a good bright paper and a nice dark type font (courier dark, or just good old Courier) it makes it comfortably readable.

This is for my benefit as well as any agents. Anything I can read without having to fumble for my glasses is a perk.

I use 92 bright, 20 lb for drafts and 24 lb for submissions. I use White Linen paper for my coverletters. And I don't think any of it really makes any difference. This is just what I like to do.

As far as folding, I've received four-page contracts back tri-folded so I figure if it's good enough for me to receive, it's good enough for them. Anything over 4 pages goes flat into my tyvek envelopes.

.
Editor's hat on:

White paper, envelope, stamp, readable font.

Good writing inside.

That's ALL I care about.

Fancy paper won't impress me. I just want good writing. Save the fancy stuff for Great Aunt Murgaroyd.

I buy whatever case of copy paper is on sale at an office supply chain or Walmart. One of my buds, a Name with 60 novels under her belt, does the same thing.