A. This
is a question I would have answered differently a few years ago. At
that time most queries or correspondence with editors happened by
mail. These days you will find that most accept and expect e-mail
queries and responses to their questions. For that reason, if they
print out the queries that interest them they will all look like
“plain vanilla.” Some try to overcome this by adding photos or
cartoons or some kinds of illustrations to their e-mail queries.
Don't (unless those illustrations will actually be part of the
proposal). Such ploys are seen as unprofessional by the editors
and actually turn them off—rather than drawing their attention in a
positive way. There is only one thing that makes one manuscript stand
out over another—quality of the writing and strict adherence to
their guidelines. If you manage to succeed in offering such
qualities, the next consideration is appropriateness for their
audience. If you score high in all three of those areas, you will
likely make your sale.
As
far as selecting your stationery, most writers today simply buy a
better quality paper and create their own letterhead on their
computer. If you don't want white for the stationery, choose a muted
color, such as gray, tan, or cream. Again, using bright colors or
pre-printed stationery in cute or wild designs also come across as
unprofessional. Just send them a dynamite query.
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