How do I begin and end a letter of inquiry to a publisher?

Answer 1

Here is a very successful query letter example you can use with just a few alterations. Good luck!

*****

Dear Ms. Jones:

I am writing to submit for your consideration my 90,000-word adult mainstream novel, GREAT LOVE LOST, in which fate pits two sisters against each other as they battle for the love of one dedicated physician fighting an epidemic no one realizes exists.-98 I have pasted the first 10 pages of chapter one in the body of this e-mail message as directed by your Web site guidelines.

GREAT LOVE LOST is the story of two sisters in love with the same man who don’t realize it until a fateful encounter at a mortuary. The ensuing chaos drives one sister, Jess, to attempt suicide, and the other, Lia, to join the Peace Corps. Fate strikes again as the man, a doctor, is sent to a conference on SARS in China, where Lia is stationed, and their passion is rekindled. However, their love is once again challenged when a threatening letter from Jess arrives, and Lia contracts SARS shortly thereafter.

My previous publishing credits include: LIES, MORE LIES, THEN SOME CHEATING, a mainstream novel published in 2002 by Rose Heart Publishing, an imprint of Lemon Slice Books; LOVE IN SUMMER, another mainstream novel, and its sequel, LOVE IN WINTER, published in 1999 and 2001, respectively, by Doubledog Press; and finally, LOVE TO LOVE YOU, another mainstream novel that will be released in 2007 from Major Publisher Press.

I appreciate the opportunity to have you review my novel, GREAT LOVE LOST, for possible representation. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

(Signature line)

*****

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

(For a FREE copy of The Scythian Stone or a full color, four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at [e-mail]).

My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

Answer 2

If you know their name, use it. (Dear Mr. ___) If not, "To Whom is May Concern" is also failproof. Depending on the content of the letter, end your letter with Sincerely or Regards. Regards sounds more professional, and should be used if you're requesting something in your letter. Sincerely is nicer if you're making a positive comment on their work, or an authors. Since you're making an inquiry, I would recommend Regards.

Good luck. :)

Answer 3

Address the letter to a particular person, by name. As in Dear Mr Publisherguy,

At the end thank them for their time, sincerely, you

Answer 4

Well u can tell the publisher about then you can tell him/her more if him/her likes what you wrote Also begin with dear end with From

Answer 5

Begin with "Dear...,"
End with "Sincerely, ..."