John Manning, deputy editor, was happy for writers to submit a completed manuscript, with illustrations. Often we reply positively to a query and then nothing comes of it, which makes planning very difficult. Helen Hodge of Active Life , and Nick Parker of The Oldie were also happy to cut straight to the finished article. I also like it when writers send samples of writing. The letter itself is an example of your writing.
Presentation counts too.
It sounds superficial, but a well typed, laser-printed letter helps to convey a degree of professionalism. About two thirds of British editors welcomed e-mails. Surprisingly the percentage of US editors favoring e-mail was slightly lower, at just under half, with the majority still preferring the traditional letter with clips. Whether they favored e-mail or snail mail, editors on both sides of the Atlantic stressed the importance of studying the publication and pitching only queries that are relevant. Writers would do themselves a favor if they researched publishers first.