Preditors and Editors ™
A guide to publishers and publishing services for serious writers since 1997.
Sample Inquiry Letter:
Your Name
Your street address
Your city, state, and zip codeToday's date
The editor's name and title
The publication's name
The publications address
Dear (Mr./Ms.) (editor's last name),
Since it's been X months ago that I sent my manuscript in, I felt I should inquire on its status. I mailed Manuscript X on 1 April 1997, to such and such address. I know you're busy, but it would be deeply appreciated if you could take a moment to check on its status and inform me.
I thank you for taking the time to check on this and look forward to your reply. An SASE is enclosed for your convenience.
Cordially,
Your signature
Your name printed here
- The first thing you should do is get to the point of the letter. However, keep it friendly. Most editors are already busy and working as fast as they can.
- Be sure to state the manuscript title and when you sent it to the publisher.
- Yes, you tell the address you mailed it to as well, especially if it's different from the address you're using for the inquiry letter. Publishers do move from time to time because of expansion or mergers, among other reasons.
- Try to always keep an inquiry pleasant. You'll get better results.
- Yes, you send them another SASE with the inquiry. For all you know, they might have lost the other SASE. You might have forgotten to include it and your address before and the publisher has been anxious to contact you. Your package might have suffered damage in the mail. There are countless legitimate reasons why the publisher might not have contacted you as yet.