Melissa Grant Writes

You want me to indent my paragraphs, double-space, and use Times New Roman?

Am I back in seventh-grade typing class with white-out staining my fingers, trying desperately to get to 40 wpm while the teacher looks over my shoulder?

Well, that just seems antiquated.

Who knew there are many rules to submitting manuscripts?

I have to say I’m glad I have someone who knows all these rules because I sure didn’t. How would you?

Don’t get me wrong, I see nothing bad about the formatting. If that’s what they want, then that’s what they’ll get.

But it’s taking me back. Way back.

And I am still struggling with my query letter. There has to be a lot of information in it, and as you may be able to tell, I am NOT a woman of few words.

It should have an intro, pitch, bio, comps and a closer with my contact info.

On one page.

ONE.

I don’t think I can even answer, “would you like a receipt for that?” in one page.

No wonder I got the “Dear Melissa” email from Tiffiny on my third query letter try.

Sigh.

Ok, maybe I should look at the tips for a good synopsis. I can do that.

“Do keep it to one to two pages.”

Arg.

Have we met?

[Photo by Thom Milkovic on Unsplash]