query vs. cover letter

andrea mara · Jun 8, 2007

Hi there everyone,
I am wondering if anyone knows the proper procedure for submitting to an agent. If you are sending a complete picture book manuscript, do you need a cover letter only or do you need a full query letter? It seems that if the book is included, a query might be too much. Many agents that I am finding in the Writer's Market don't have websites, so I can't find what they want.

Thanks!
andrea

NiennaC · Jun 8, 2007

I don't write picture books, so I don't know for certain. But on the Andrea Brown Lit. site (they handle picture books) they want a "query letter and the full manuscript text". I don't know how standard practice that is, but I figured I'd let you know at least one of the agencies wants a query letter.

moondance · Jun 9, 2007

As far as I am aware, if you are sending a sample of work then you include a cover letter - since a query letter simply covers the same ground, in letter form. If you were sending a partial on a longer work, you would include a synopsis and cover letter.

I would have thought in this instance that a cover letter would be more appropriate - but I suspect that different agents may have different names for what is essentially the same document!

Stijn Hommes · Jun 9, 2007

A query letter is basically a letter that attempts to entice the author to request a manuscript. A cover letter does much of the same thing, but a cover letter comes with a manuscript (it comes on the cover). I'd send a cover letter, but I think it's mostly a case of semantics.

dnrlee · Jun 9, 2007

I just bought a copy of Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (2007) and each agent will list their submission guidelines in the "How to contact" section. You might also try www.agentquery.com. I found that site helpful as well.
If agent's ask for a query with full ms for picture books, I send a cover letter with the ms. If they're asking for a query only, send it with a brief synopsis.

RainbowDragon · Jun 9, 2007

Generally if you're submitting the MS and you're pretty sure they're going to read it (or at least skim the first paragraph) just a cover letter will do--they'll either like it or not. Queries have to work twice as hard because you're trying to get them to actually request the material. Shorter works tend to have the advantage of getting into more hands more easily than full-length novels.

johnzakour · Jun 9, 2007

Your use a query to get permission to send a manuscript that will come with a cover letter.

justpat · Jun 9, 2007

Don't send a manuscript unless the agent/editor requests it or says it's okay to send them without the request. If you are sending it unsolicited, then you should still include a query letter since the reader is not going to waste time reading the entire thing unless he or she is first enticed by a good query.

andrea mara · Jun 9, 2007

Wow! Thanks everyone. Your responses help so much! I was super-stressing over this. Now, I'm ready! Thanks so much!

andrea

query vs. cover letter

andrea mara

NiennaC

moondance

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

dnrlee

RainbowDragon

Perpetuous Revisasaurus

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

justpat

QueryTracker

andrea mara