Covering letter help and guidelines - any help

Waylander

Hey guys, I have the query letter done and sent to agents. But some require a covering letter. Not entirely sure what goes into it or how to structure. Any help is appreciated!

SilverLinings

The general advice suggests 3 to 4 paragraphs. Careful. Queries and covering letters can be one and the same.

1. In simple terms, an intro, why your writing to them and what your hoping to place including the genre, and word count.
2 & 3 The story - in a nutshell.
4. You, any published achievements?

Yours sincerely, etc.
Remember to keep it professional, this is all about business after all, think of it like a job application. You wouldn't crack a knock knock joke with your CV so don't do it with a sub.

If you search on Google you'll find more suitable suggestions for your particular MS, but here's one example: http://www.underdown.org/covlettr.htm

Phots Moll

Careful. Queries and covering letters can be one and the same.

Yes - just another name for the same thing, I think.

Waylander

I see, thanks guys.

How about a synopsis? I've seen requirements for one to be around a page long. How to structure one of those, and what exactly goes into it?

Liz

John, do you mean that an agent has requested a query letter AND a covering letter?

Waylander

No no. I got a wee bit mixed up! I meant Covering letter and synopsis. I realise now a covering letter and a query are one and the same thing? The synopsis is the thing I'm not too sure on now.

Baggy Books

If you google 'writing a synopsis' you will find many examples - there might be one on that site I sent you the link to (before Christmas).

Waylander

Thanks Baggy, I'll have a look!

Lou Treleaven

This might help, John.
http://loutreleaven.com/2010/09/13/how-to-write-a-synopsis/