Many beginning writers (and quite a few not-so-beginning writers) agonize over writing letters to editors. Query letters, cover letters, follow-up letters -- they all strike terror into a writer's heart. Is there some secret code to cracking an editor's heart? If I screw up the letter will I be blackballed for all eternity? Okay, we might not be that bad, but we do fret. So we're going to run a series on letters writers must write. Let's begin with the one we do most often -- the cover letter.

SHORT

Cover letters can be summed up in a series of S tips. The first is that cover letters are short. It is a rare cover letter that is over 1/3 of a page. They simply don't have a very big job so they won't need many words in which to accomplish it. In fact, many editors don't even read cover letters (though most say they like having one since the lack of a cover letter can seem rude or abrupt or cold.). Some don't read the cover letter until after they've read the manuscript. Some skim them before reading the manuscript. All of these things mean you don't need a lot of words. I've written many successful cover letters and they are often no more than two paragraphs.

SEDUCTIVE

The first thing my cover letters do is show my story in it's best light. The letter uses a sentence or two to lure a busy editor into reading my story or perhaps rereading it with an eye toward the most appealing feature. So my cover letter strives to be seductive in much the same way that cover copy on a book is written to seduce the buying public. With this in mind, I want my story to sound interesting, appealing, and exciting. Consider the following presentations of the same article:

I am submitting the enclosed article, " Carnivorous Caterpillars," for your consideration. It will teach Cricket readers about the Harvester Butterfly. The caterpillar stage of the Harvester preys upon woolly aphids. The article also includes information about the butterfly's lifecycle.

"Carnivorous Caterpillars" - the idea sounds like something from a bad 50s horror movie; but one small North American butterfly really is a hungry predator. The harvester butterfly caterpillar preys upon wooly aphids using a unique disguise -- it cloaks itself in the drained bodies of its victims.

Right, the second presentation shows the editor how the article will lure reader to read about this interesting little creature. The first sounds more formal and a writer might be tempted by its professional tone but an editor is more interested in how what you are selling will connect with their readers. So don't be afraid to get a little theatrical. Just make sure you don't over-hype so that your article is a let down.

SPECIFIC

After you've caught the editor's eye, it's time to get specific; tell him (or her) all the details that are important to the sale. You will want to mention any special research you've done -- for the caterpillar article, I interviewed a researcher studying these butterflies so a reference to this interview shows that I've looked for the best sources. If your story or article has an obvious curriculum tie-in, editors like to know that. If your fiction is based on fact, editors will also be interested in sources. Are you adding enclosures such as a bibliography, illustrations, photos, etc -- then you may wish to mention them in the letter. Do you have a past connection with the magazine (such as publication there!) then you can mention that also.

SUCK UP

Okay, that sounds dreadful, but one thing editors hope is that you didn't just open your market guide and pick the first magazine you came to. Editors want to know that you have valid reasons for matching your manuscript to their magazines. So, if you're familiar with the magazine, now is a good time to mention it. Sometimes I will mention past articles or stories that made me believe they would life mine (for example, if I've seen whimsical humor in the magazine and my story is funny and whimsical, I will mention that.) If you are writing for a magazine with a theme list, mention which theme this piece matches. This part doesn't need to be long but I always strive to show that I've done my homework and I'm picking that magazine because it's the best match I can imagine.

As with any writer to editor correspondence, double-check the spelling of the editor's name. Don't rely on your memory. Since this is a letter, it will be single-spaced. If you totally cannot use a specific editor's name, it's perfectly okay to say "Dear Editor" but not so good to use something stuffy like "Dear Sir or Madame" or "To Whom It May Concern" -- you want every element of your letter to sound comfortable and confident. You don't get extra points for sounding professorial (not even with the science magazines). Make your letters like your manuscript: interesting, lively, concise, and complete.

Remember, editors are just people like you. Relax. If you're having fun, they will too.