Query Letter vs. Sending MS - pros/cons?

Hi, Chef Troy-
Welcome.
The first thing you have to do is look at the publisher's guidelines. Some want your work, while others want a query- and what they want is what you give. While sending a ms, please include a cover letter, and this is where you share your experience and some bits about your ms. There are some great examples of cover letters and queries around here at the cooler-- just browse around a bit.

Good luck!
PSG

Like Special said, check the guidelines. It also depends on what you write. You said it was "short." Generally, if it is something like picture book or early reader they want the ms.

Some publishers/agents want things that can turn into a series, but be cautious with this. most are looking for a stand alone.

Oh--And welcome to AW

I don't have anything to add to the discussion; I just came in here to say "hi" so it looks like I'm following you around the Internet.

What the others said.. You HAVE to check the publisher's guidelines.

And MOST (maybe ALL?) publishers don't want their mailboxes stuffed full of manuscripts they never requested. Send the query first.

Welcome to AW. Congratulations on finishing your book. Everyone has already given you good advice..

Hi Shamie and welcome!
I can assure you you're not the only one to feel this way. Most of us have at one time or another thought 'what is the point of all of this hard work if no one will appreciate it?'
However, you are wrong on two counts: the children's writing market is not seedy, nor is it closed to new writers. On the contrary, it is full of dynamic, inspirational people, and will ALWAYS welcome someone new who's got the wow factor.
My mum gave me the best piece of advice ever: Don't regret things you've never done. Regrets about things you HAVE done are much better.

Basically, if you never try then you'll never know. And surely it would be better to try and fail than always to wonder 'what if?'

Besides, the world is full of people who bitterly say 'I was going to write a book' and authors who give up after one rejection. Talent counts, yes, but so does persistence and a willingness to learn. If you have doomed yourself to failure before you ever start ('what if it's a world that will refuse to even give me the time of day?') then you'll never allow anyone else to give you a chance.

However, I should add that if you didn't get any enjoyment out of your passion and hard work, then you probably shouldn't be writing. We'd all like to see our name on the front cover, but that shouldn't be your main reason for writing. You should write because you love doing it.

Oh, and PS - you can start a thread of your own, by the way, by clicking 'new topic' when you're on the board that lists all the threads

No problem. We all need to be given a pep talk every now and then

Shamie you are really lucky to have something that you know you are passionate about. That is really special. I have so many friends who have no idea what they want to do with their lives, about what that magical something is for them. So what you have is huge! Embrace it! And never give up! "Never give up, never surrender!" - Galaxy Quest