"Book cover" in submission?

I wouldn't include the picture -- I think at this point it would tend to draw attention but in a negative way. The time to weigh in on the cover (if you get to weigh in at all) is after the book has been bought. Very few writers get cover approval, but more are allowed to at least weigh in or discuss their thoughts with a sympathetic editor; that's the time to show off the picture, I'd say.

ETA: Obviously, if your book is centered on visuals in some way -- it is a photography book, or you do illustrations, or something like that, my advice is different. But I didn't get the impression that was what you meant.

Take it out. It just shows that you are an amateur, and will prejudice the editor even before they start reading. They don't want to any extra stuff to deal with. Just the story ma'am, just the story.

Take it out. It has no place in a ms. submission.

While you're at it, take out the pink fonts and scented paper as well.

Take it off. Take it all off!

Wait....

What were we talking about?


Oh yeah. The cover. Take that off too.

So should I not have put glitter and candy in my ms submission? And sent it as a gift bag?

Spiny Norman said:

So should I not have put glitter and candy in my ms submission? And sent it as a gift bag?

Click to expand...

Only if you're having it hand-delivered by a team of Norwegian strippers.

PattiTheWicked said:

Only if you're having it hand-delivered by a team of Norwegian strippers.

Click to expand...

At your service, ladies:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1259399&postcount=23

Nice pic, maestro!

I like to wrap my manuscript in a string of themed origami creations.

I'm ready! When does Ray start getting Nakey?

Spiny Norman said:

So should I not have put glitter and candy in my ms submission? And sent it as a gift bag?

Click to expand...

I've talked about submission formats with a friend of mine who's putting together a small fiction zine, and we both agree that editors love chocolate However, it's generally a good idea to send it in a separate envelope