Query or Cover Letter with YA MS?

[jomariem]

I have a completed YA novel that I'm in the process of editing and getting ready to send off to a publisher. The publisher that I'm looking at is requesting the entire novel, so I'm wondering if I should send a query letter or a cover letter with the MS. I have NOT had any contact with this editor yet, and I'm still new at sending manuscripts off for publication.

Also, even if a publisher requests an entire manuscript, would it be OK to query first even if they don't say so on their website? I would prefer to do this rather than send in my entire story if I can help it, but I don't want to get on the publisher's bad side, either.

Advice, please.

[Lily]

For myself, if they ask for the whole manuscript, I'd send it, along with a cover letter, synopsis of story, etc. Getting it all sent off at once should quicken up the process a bit. If you're concerned that your story could be plagiarised there are steps you can take to protect it without having to pay the copyright office a fee. For instance, mail it to yourself by registered mail, and don't open the envelope. Or, to computer date stamp it: send it to another email account such as yahoo.

[bpublisher]

Take warning; If a publisher is advertising for writers, Take two steps back, turn, and run like hell.

Standard publishers never seek writers. Those who do, we call printers. Printers charge writers to format, design a cover, and printing. They will then charge you for books you must sell yourself. If they say “Your book will be available through B & N.
Here is how that works; Somehow, someone finds out you have a book. Somehow they are told they can order it via B&N…who puts their mark up on the book plus shipping. B&N will not stock self published books. They have on very rare occasions in small amounts.

Again…run like hell, or…seek out an agent, or self publish an ebook at no cost. The members of this forum can tell you how.