Along with a cover letter, most publishers will want either an excerpt of your story or the full manuscript. Read the guidelines carefully to make sure you send the right thing! If the publisher wants only the first two chapters of a novel, don’t send them all 300 pages of your book. Send only what they ask for and wait for them to request the full manuscript.
The excerpt should not be a scene midway through your story, or a part somewhere near the end that you think is the best. And it shouldn’t be a hodge-podge of scenes scattered throughout the book. You might think you’re highlighting the best parts, but the publisher won’t see it that way.
I know it’s hard to hear this, but believe it or not, most people (editors included) decide whether or not they’re going to keep reading a book w
