Well, as you've all noticed--I'm incredibly paranoid.
I want to send away for submission guidelines, but I'm a little unsure of how to go about it. Do I use a regular sized envelope, and then just fold the SASE inside of it?? Or do I need to use a big envelope?
I know, I'm really quite pathetic, but I'm also quite curious! This is one of those little details that I've never thought about until now.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 1198) on :
I generally send stories in a large manilla envelope, with a legal sized SASE included.
In my experience, the rejection letters have always come back in that envelope along with the first page of my story.
Unfortunately, I have no experience yet regarding accepted submissions.
Posted by Rahl22 (Member # 1411) on :
That's typically how I submit things as well, but I was actually just hoping to get submission guidelines back. I wasn't going to submit anything yet.
Posted by Chronicles_of_Empire (Member # 1431) on :
Have you tried checking out the websites of the agents you're selecting? Guidelines are often posted there.
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
I've always used two #10 envelopes (the regular long business size), and folded the self-addressed stamped one in threes and stuck it inside the outer one with a formal letter request for writer's guidelines.
Posted by Rahl22 (Member # 1411) on :
Yes, I often do that--But I just haven't been able to find this one!
Kolona, that's what I was planning on doing. And what do you mean by a "formal" request? Don't you just jot down on a piece of paper?
Rahl
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
I realize "casual" and "informal" are the watchwords today, but I subscribe to a particular philosophy, especially as regards writing: When I'm dealing with people who can change my life, I'm going to stack the deck in my favor. That means I'll take a business-like approach in all my communications with them and their industry, even in simple things like requests for writer's guidelines.
A formal letter request means a standard business letter format--return address and date at the top, inside address beneath it, salutation, letter body (short full sentences, no extra gibberish), closing, etc. At best, I want to convey a professional attitude/appearance; at least, I want to avoid any avoidable prejudices against my work.
Rather than "jot down" my request, I'm inclined to type it out. It seems more business-like that way, but that's just my opinion.
P.S. Your might try the library for a copy of Writer's Market.
[This message has been edited by Kolona (edited September 28, 2002).]
[This message has been edited by Kolona (edited September 28, 2002).]
[This message has been edited by Kolona (edited September 28, 2002).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
If you want guidelines for science fiction and fantasy markets, you can go to
and find lists of such markets, each of which will have a link directly to any website guidelines a market may have.
It's a quick way and saves on postage.
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Also just discovered that Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript by Jack & Glenda Neff and Don Prues has a sample letter for, among other things, a request for guidelines.
