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Beta for cover & query letters?

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Whistle_White

Whistle_White

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Hey all,

Won't be taking much of your time. You know the deal, I'm ready to query, but my usual beta (a wonderful reader whom I wouldn't trade for anything) doesn't know much about cover&query letters, so I'm asking you guys.

I was asked to do both a cover (bio) letter and a synopsis, and I have both ready. Together they're no more than 700 words, and I'd really appreciate someone taking a look, in case something's awful or off or the like.

Can repay in kind - don't have much time for long stuff, but I can take a look at a few chapters or your own query letters?
 
Rowan

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You only need a handful of posts before you can post in the "Share Your Work" forum. There's a section there, "Query Letter Hell", that may be of interest to you.

If not, I'm sure you'll find someone to help. Also, there are some great threads regarding successful query letters:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92925
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59255
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160591
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21248
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194361

Synopsis 411:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84990

Good luck! :)
 
EMaree

EMaree

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Agreed with Rowan, Query Letter Hell is the best way to get your covering letter and synopsis looked at by expert eyes.

You don't have you location on your profile, but your use of the phrase 'cover letter' makes me wonder if you're querying in the UK, where that phrase is more common? (It's used in the US too, but 'query' is more common.) If your covering letter uses the UK format, be sure to state that clearly in the post -- there's not a huge difference in styles between US and UK, but it's still useful for people to know when replying.
 
Whistle_White

Whistle_White

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Thank you! I'll check those threads out ASAP.

And yeah, I'm querying in the UK first... I'm moving there early next year, so I thought it'd be better. The querying style is quite different, isn't it... thank you dearly for the tips :)
 
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