Comments on: Article: Beyond the Guidelines: 25 Ways You Might Be Annoying Editors Without Even Knowing It

By: John Joseph Adams

John Joseph Adams — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:39:37 +0000

@ Michael Guffy

For short stories, “a few short lines of information or a cleverly written introduction” are never necessary. For book submissions, that’s a different story. But for shorts, just keep it very basic and don’t try to be clever.

By: Michael Guffy

Michael Guffy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:09:57 +0000

My thinking on cover letters is to keep them as short as possible and let the ms read for itself. But I get some conflicting advise about trying to impress an editor into reading your ms with a flashy cover letter. So I’d like to know if just a few short lines of information or a cleverly written introduction is better. I can’t help thinking now that I have written this the answer will be “it depends” which I can understand, but I would appreciate a comment or two more on cover letters. I guess it is kind of a hang up right now.

By: John Joseph Adams

John Joseph Adams — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:21:33 +0000

A cover letter is not essential. If you do include one, of course, just don’t do any of the things I mention in the article. :)

By: RyanMcN

RyanMcN — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:09:19 +0000

One thing I’ve never been sure of is whether a cover letter makes any difference. I always assumed that it was simply the best way to point out previous publication, so being currently unpublished, I’ve never included one.

Am I mistaken on this?

By: David M Pitchford

David M Pitchford — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:43:01 +0000

Mr. Adams, my kudos for this post. It is very professionally stated, which can be difficult for this topic. As much as some guidelines tend to vex writers, these matters tend to vex editors. As I swing from both sides of the plate on this one, I’m happy to see these things set out in a brotherly-advice style versus the rant-at-the-Other manner in which I’ve too often seen it presented.
Folks actually send headshots with short fiction? I’ve seen it advocated for book-length work, but never for short fiction. It is reasonable to expect some use to it for book-length, but what in the world would a short-fiction market do with these?
In defense of authors, though, I’d like to point out that many of us are not in our right minds when we force ourselves through the motions of submitting to markets. I would personally haggle over the purchase of a used car . . . So, your advice is much appreciated by me from both sides of the plate.
David M Pitchford

By: crystalwizard

crystalwizard — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:41:55 +0000

Rejecting the Rejection: That should be under the “What were you thinking?” category.

A great list :) Thanks for posting it.