Presenting Your Work to Publishers
Often, the most daunting part of the writing process is not the actual writing. That can come naturally, especially when writing material you are familiar with. You can spend weeks, months, or years crafting your manuscript, but what do you do next? If your ultimate goal is to publish your book, getting your book in front of publishers can be intimidating.
In the days of traditional publishing, this is where a query letter would come in handy. A query letter is what authors would send to publishers to introduce themselves and their writing. In modern times, however, the query letter has become somewhat outdated. With more ways than ever of getting work in front of the masses, publishers have adapted.
Succeeding in modern publishing requires knowledge of both traditional and modern practices. This article will explore the traditional elements of a query letter and its modern equivalents.
The Traditional Query Letter
As previously stated, a query letter is an inquiry sent to a publisher to introduce the author and their work. This letter should be individualized to the author and their sensibilities. However, if you decide to write and send a query letter, it should contain some standard information.
It is most common to send query letters to publishers, but they can also be sent to editors or agents. When drafting your letter, make sure you keep the intended recipient in mind. No matter who the audience is, keep it professional, coherent, and well-crafted.
The Pieces of a Query Letter
As with most things you will write, be sure to start a query letter with an introduction. How you introduce yourself and your writing is up to your creativity. Limit your introduction to the most basic information, like your name and what you are submitting.
After introducing yourself, it is time to talk about your actual writing. This will commonly be a plot synopsis, with similar hooks to marketing material. Draw the reader into your story and make them want to read the full story. The ultimate point of a query letter is to get your work published, so you want your work to shine. Have this synopsis reflect the tone and style of the full text.
Next, you can get more into your own life and background. Outside of selling your book, you are asking the publisher to invest in you as an artist. Let them get to know you a little bit. Do not bog down the letter with too many details. This can be a variation of an About the Author you might have. Include your professional and academic background and any personal information you feel is important.
To complete your letter, you will likely want to include a writing sample. Whether this is an excerpt of this book or a previously published piece, it is important to share your writing. This completes the picture the publisher will create of you as an author.
The State of the Modern Publishing Industry
While the query letter still has its place, there are now other ways for authors to get their works out. Traditional publishers once had all the power in deciding what gets published, but not anymore. New authors can publish their works on a blog, in a newsletter, or by self-publishing. This can be a path to success in the 21st century, as many popular modern-day authors know.
Now, anyone can be a published author. You do not need to have a contact within the industry or spend time writing a query letter. Instead, you can control the trajectory of your career as a writer. However, you can pursue a more traditional path to publication via sending out query letters. It depends on your personality and instincts.
Self-Publishing with Cloverly
When you publish with any of Cloverly’s divisions, our approach is more modern. We never request, solicit, or accept query letters. Instead, we focus on your work and consult with you individually. The end result is a publication process that flows smoothly and is one you guide.
At Cloverly, we accept direct submissions of your manuscript. However, we never accept unsolicited submissions. You must first request a free author submission kit. This will contain all the basic information about Cloverly’s publishing process. From there, you will be contacted by one of our literary agents who will guide you through the submission process.
Our team will personally review each and every manuscript submission we receive. This ensures that the books we approve for publication meet our standards and criteria. We also direct your work to any of our specialty divisions, as appropriate. When you are approved for publication, our team will work with you every step of the way.
While Cloverly provides a form of self-publication, you are provided with resources to thrive. Our full-service contracts provide editorial services, cover art design, physical and digital publication, and more. You can start your journey to becoming a published author today!
