Query Letter vs. Sending MS - pros/cons?

08-31-2006, 06:08 AM

Hello! I'm new to this message board and I can see that it will be very helpful as I take these first steps toward getting published as a children's book author.

Here's my first question: When I'm contacting a publisher, what are the pros and cons of sending a query letter as compared to just sending the manuscript? On the one hand, my book is fairly short, but on the other hand, a query letter would allow me to mention that it's the first in a potential series and so on.

What are your thoughts, folks?

PrettySpecialGal · 08-31-2006, 06:31 AM

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

Soccer Mom · 08-31-2006, 06:43 AM

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

DeadlyAccurate · 09-01-2006, 11:05 AM

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.

dclary · 09-01-2006, 12:32 PM

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.

Bamponang · 09-01-2006, 02:58 PM

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

09-01-2006, 05:04 PM

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum. I am trying to get an agent to consider my Children's book...I write quite a lot, but sending things out and researching (the business side to this trade) is what is truly hard for me. I can't help but think, as I'm laboring over mailouts: what if? What if I am wasting my time? What if the children's writing market is seedy and closed to new authors, what if it's a world that will refuse to even give me the time of day? Although I have faith in my work,I guess I aso want to know that something good wil come in return for all my passion and hard work.
Anyway, any advice on getting past this cynical block would be appreciated.
Thanks
Shamie

moondance · 09-01-2006, 05:33 PM

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.

moondance · 09-01-2006, 05:34 PM

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

09-01-2006, 06:40 PM

Thank you! I really needed to hear that. It's sometimes easy to get caught up in that negative frame of mind, but you are completely right about regrets, thanks for reminding me.
There is nothing I enjoy more than writing...I have to keep reminding myself of that

Thanks again
Shamie

moondance · 09-01-2006, 09:29 PM

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

Toothpaste · 09-02-2006, 04:20 AM

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

08-31-2006, 06:08 AM	#1
chef troy Guest Posts: n/a	Query Letter vs. Sending MS - pros/cons? Hello! I'm new to this message board and I can see that it will be very helpful as I take these first steps toward getting published as a children's book author. Here's my first question: When I'm contacting a publisher, what are the pros and cons of sending a query letter as compared to just sending the manuscript? On the one hand, my book is fairly short, but on the other hand, a query letter would allow me to mention that it's the first in a potential series and so on. What are your thoughts, folks?

08-31-2006, 06:31 AM	#2
PrettySpecialGal roll, roll, roll in ze hay Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: wis ze "photographer husband" Posts: 2,026	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 __________________ PSG LOOK!!! here, too--> FREE_TEXAS

08-31-2006, 06:43 AM	#3
Soccer Mom Crypto-fascist SuperModerator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Under your couch Posts: 18,624	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 __________________ <clickety to see my books Join us for the Absolute Write-in #AWritein Marguerite Says...Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge I also Twitter & Facebook People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference ~Luciano Pavarotti

09-01-2006, 12:32 PM	#5
dclary Survivor Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 12,960	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. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hard Hobbit to Break: A hobbit from the Shire, lost in Los Angeles. Big Fat Loser Diet: My weight loss journal. Website a Week: A challenge to design a new website every week. DavidWClary.com: Keep up with all the other DWC sites here

09-01-2006, 02:58 PM	#6
Bamponang practical experience, FTW Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 240	Welcome to AW. Congratulations on finishing your book. Everyone has already given you good advice.. __________________ Bamponang ................................................. I took the rejection pledge My rejection ratio - 16/52 My article acceptance ratio-30/52 My book acceptance ratio -0/2

09-01-2006, 11:05 AM	#4
DeadlyAccurate Absolutely Fazed Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 2,536	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.

09-01-2006, 05:04 PM	#7
Shamie Guest Posts: n/a	Hi everyone, I am new to the forum. I am trying to get an agent to consider my Children's book...I write quite a lot, but sending things out and researching (the business side to this trade) is what is truly hard for me. I can't help but think, as I'm laboring over mailouts: what if? What if I am wasting my time? What if the children's writing market is seedy and closed to new authors, what if it's a world that will refuse to even give me the time of day? Although I have faith in my work,I guess I aso want to know that something good wil come in return for all my passion and hard work. Anyway, any advice on getting past this cynical block would be appreciated. Thanks Shamie

09-01-2006, 05:33 PM	#8
moondance practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oxford, England Posts: 348	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.

09-01-2006, 05:34 PM	#9
moondance practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oxford, England Posts: 348	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

09-01-2006, 06:40 PM	#10
Shamie Guest Posts: n/a	Thank you! I really needed to hear that. It's sometimes easy to get caught up in that negative frame of mind, but you are completely right about regrets, thanks for reminding me. There is nothing I enjoy more than writing...I have to keep reminding myself of that Thanks again Shamie

09-01-2006, 09:29 PM	#11
moondance practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oxford, England Posts: 348	No problem. We all need to be given a pep talk every now and then

09-02-2006, 04:20 AM	#12
Toothpaste THE FRIDAY SOCIETY is out now!!!! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 7,433	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 __________________ THE_FRIDAY_SOCIETY is out NOW!!!!! My Blog, My Website, Follow Me on Twitter! Alex_and_the_Ironic_Gentleman Timothy_and_the_Dragon's_Gate Corsets_&_Clockwork YA Steampunk Romance Anthology The Girl Who Was On Fire HUNGER GAMES essay Anthology

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