Sample Cover Letter

(Your) Name (Your) Address (Your) Phone (Your) E-mail

Publishing House Dept. Address

Dear (specific editor), It is 1884. Kate O'Reilly stares resolutely into the wind on deck of the Golden Vanity, as the shoreline of her beloved Ireland disappears behind a veil of mist. Even now, she resists the possibility that happiness could be found in America. It is her father's dream, not her own. The story of Kate's personal journey begins amidst the mystical beauty of the Irish coastline. She learns early that love and laughter help to ease a soul's burden in life. Kate O'Reilly, just 17, has the pedigree of an Irish peasant and the confidence of a Celtic Warrior Queen. Out of a sense of duty, Kate follows her parents to America and leaves behind a dream for her own future in Ireland, the country she loves. At the end of the ocean voyage Kate is beset by tragedy. (the following 3 sentences have been omitted from this sample as a service to folks who have not yet read 'Whispers on the Wind'.) In the days that follow, she is initiated into adulthood through a baptism of heartache and adversity. Accompany Kate from the rugged, Irish shoreline, through Chicago and on to the verdant mountain valley of Santa Ynez, California where she finds happiness and meaning for her life. My title for this work is 'Whispers on the Wind'. The finished manuscript is approximately 105,000 words in length. This novel is intended for the historical fiction market. Through my own test-marketing I have found cross-over market success with positive results from readers both male and female, ages 14 - 72. One of the recurring comments from my test group of readers was an inquiry into a possible sequel. I am presently working on the sequel and have plans to continue the story

through several more generations of Kate's family. As a great-granddaughter of Irish immigrants who settled in Chicago, I have the background needed to write this story. Furthermore, I am a long-time student of history and possess the qualifications necessary to achieve a thorough and accurate research of both Ireland and America during the 1880's. I have read several historical fiction novels and understand how essential it is to create strong, believable characters with a page-turning plot in a historically genuine setting. I have written for several publications both hard copy and on-line. I am self-employed as a freelance writer and translator and interact daily with language usage and analysis. I hope the concept behind my finished novel will interest you so that I may send you a full proposal. Sincerely, (Author's name)