Help! bloody cover letters.

[Jake E]

Cover letter and query are different things. Hence people getting confused by what they read online. I don't want to be a stuck record, so will shut up.

TL;DR: A query letter asks permission to send a submission. A cover letter is a short, polite formality that accompanies a submission.

This, i believe, is exactly right.

Took me some time to figure out that a) there was a difference and b) what that difference was. But this is essentially it.

 

[E G Logan]

Different hurdles for this yank.

And often very different requirements for each agent.
Read very carefully what they ask for – do not provide any excuse not to read/look further.

 

[E G Logan]

RG Worsey said:
... A cover letter is a short, polite formality that accompanies a submission.

I agree, but it should also sell like mad. Politely.