A cover page for a short non-fiction piece?
I need to make a cover page for a short non-fiction piece that is going to be sent off to publishers. It’s due tomorrow, and I have no idea how to do it or what to do. Help please!
- E.r.i.c.a.
Tags: Due Tomorrow, Fiction Piece, Non Fiction, Publishers
April 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Just a title and your name, I believe.
April 11th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Hello. I am an aspiring novelist, so I’ve been making submissions a lot. I think I can help even though I write fiction.
Well, since I don’t know if this has been requested already, I’ll answer for a requested manuscript first and then an unrequested. I also am not sure if you mean cover letter, or cover page?? So I’ll explain both. lol (I have nothing better to do!)
Cover Page:
Your work’s title should be centered with your name just below it, followed by your address, phone, and email below that.
Cover letter:
Basically for a requested piece, you want to thank the editor for their interest and briefly remind them in a sentence or two what your work is about. Just the main point that you think will sell it even further. In this description you might want to list the word count. (I don’t think genre matters since it’s nonfiction!) Finish by thanking them for their interest and that you look forward to working with them. Then sign sincerely (your name, address, phone, email).
For a nonrequested piece, you can start with a sentence that will grab the editor, such as a question. Like… “What would it be like if reindeer took over the moon?” (I know it’s a dumb sentence, but I think you get the point. lol I don’t know your plot afterall!) Next, you want to go into a one paragraph description of your piece. Remember you are trying to sell it, but try not to say things like “It’s the best! You’ll be missing out if you don’t!” (Which I know is common sense!)
Then, you should give a brief paragraph of your credentials when related to this piece, or writing in general. (Worked on a school newspaper, awards, studying English, published articles, goals for your writing, etc.) If you don’t have any credits you can always name your influences and that you have been an avid reader for years and list the authors, or stories. Your closing paragraph should list the word count, the genre, and why this piece is a good fit for this publisher. Again, thank them and sign with your contact info.
I hope all this helps! Sorry if I answered things that you didn’t want to know, or already do know. :S I just wasn’t sure!
April 13th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Look inside a few novels and see what the Title page includes! Good luck with the publisher.