Sending off manuscript tomorrow! :) Just need a bit of help with this letter.

[Jamza1986]

Hi all, as i'm sending my work off tomorrow, I wondered if someone could help me finalise this letter and tell me if its rubbish or i've missed something.

Dear Sir/Madam

I am interested in making a submission to your literary agency. My manuscript, ‘Arden’s Call’ is of the fantasy genre. I have included a one page synopsis, and a three chapter sample of my manuscript, unbound and double spaced. The full manuscript is about 180 000 words in length.

I am a student of English Language and Literature and enjoy both reading and writing fiction. I particularly enjoy the fantasy genre. My work, including short stories and poetry, has been published in online journals and the recently released anthology Spirit of the Mind by Dogma Publications.

Yours faithfully,

James Watson

[Expendable]

Can you give them a one-paragraph summary of the story? I think you need to add that.

Have you checked their submission guidelines to make sure you've not forgotten anything?

[Drew]

Can't offer you much in the way of this, but I agree that a small summary would be adequete.

Just popping in to say good luck! :cool:

[Jamza1986]

Thanks Drew and Expendable. Start the presses :D

[Holbrook]

I would remove the bit about double-spaced etc.... they would expect that as norm. Not to be told you have done it for them. Also check and re-check the agency's submission guide lines and as the others said a short paragraph about the story....

[Jamza1986]

Is the paragraph needed when I have a synopsis with it anyway?

[Holbrook]

Is the paragraph needed when I have a synopsis with it anyway?


Call it a sweetner, a taste of the story. To catch their interest.

[JamesL]

I am a student of English Language and Literature and enjoy both reading and writing fiction. I particularly enjoy the fantasy genre.

I don't think this line is necessary, it may even make you look amateurish - I would suggest removing it.