The Publisher-Dating Dictionary

[jteethy]

Kit Whitfield is a new author who has also worked on the other side of the fence as an editor at a publishing house. After slogging through many a slush pile, she has put together a list of her favorite cover letter howlers. Even better, she has translated them into dating-speak:

"Imagine that the editor or agent is a woman standing on her own in a

Comments

[owldaughter]

I love this:

You say: 'I've been turned down by all the agencies I've tried, so I've decided to approach publishers directly.'

Dating equivalent: 'All my ex-girlfriends/boyfriends have taken out restraining orders against me, so I thought I'd ask you instead.'

[baronscartop]

Thank you for this, very much.

I'm so glad someone has finally demonstrated that it is possible to do this in a caring fashion.

t!

[jteethy]

I agree. She manages to get her points across with good humor. I certainly don't think she wants to discourage anyone.

I also appreciated this bit from the gateway page to the article:

"NB - probably not worth reading if you’re just starting out writing or are feeling unconfident, as it’s a guide to what editors are really thinking when they’re in a bad mood, but for anyone writing a covering letter with their submission - or for anyone who’s had a bad editing day themselves . . ."