Writing has consistently been a part of me from the time I was eight. When writing, words pour from my mind onto paper like water from a vessel. Consumption of thoughts rushing through my soul etches themselves so deeply and powerfully, I have no choice but to release them. Stuck in a vortex of imagination, my fingers fly across my keyboard faster than my thoughts. Lost I would be if I could not create the stories that swirl in my mind. So, come, sit and grab a cup of tea. Spend some time in my world as I write, struggle, write and rewrite my novels, chapter books and picture books. Adding writing tips I've come across or ideas that I've found helpful will also splash across the pages. I'll mention the success of one of my many author friends when they have good news to share. You'll never know what goodies you may find. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my world.



Karenann





My Quote That Sums Me Up

"I found two Passions I can't Live without ...
Reading became a Fantasy World I could Explore...
Writing became the Fantasy World I could Create."

Karenann



Favorite Quote

Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them. - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Thursday, March 24, 2011

I Spent My Day

Researching literary agencies and publishing houses.  That, to me, is the easy part.  The hard part is struggling with the cover letters.  I try to make mine as unique as the individual house or agency is.  Each agency or house has their own submission policies and should be followed to the letter.  If they ask you to provide specific information, like where did you hear about them, supply it.  If they ask about previously published works, tell them whether you are published or not.  Don't feel less than adequate if your not published, everyone has to start somewhere.  We are all unpublished at one time or another and unfortunately, some may never be.  To me, its all about finding the right agency or house.  Making the perfect match can be extremely time consuming but well worth the payoff.

Cover letters or query letters can take a long time to perfect.  Some writers know exactly what to say in their cover letters but if anyone is like me, I struggle.  Constantly questioning myself and double guessing, should I say this or put this in.  Is it too much?  Not enough.  At some point you have to come to the realization that as long as you put your best foot forward and you're confident that you've done the best you can, you should be happy.  Happy for many reasons.  The most notable is that you are taking that step into the publishing world, opening yourself for rejection.  Not an easy feat.  But it must be done if ultimately publication is your dream.

So tips for a good cover letter are:
  • Make sure you've expressed an answer to each question the agency/house has asked.
  • Make sure you've done your research so you are submitting to a compatible agency/house.  Editors and agents are busy and most rejections are because they are not a good  fit.
  • Make sure you've properly addressed your letter.
  • Make sure you've signed your letter.
  • Make sure you are submitting only the information requested by that house or agency.  Many of them throw away or simply delete your e-mail if it's not formatted properly.
  • Check your spelling and grammar.  Your cover letter is a reflection of your writing abilities.
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