Last updated: 30 september, 2009 - 11:48 GMT
Why first impressions matter in the literary world
For those aspiring writers who want to see their work published, approaching publishers and agents can be a minefield.
The covering letter outlining your idea has got to be stunning and original if it's not to get filed instantly under 'forget.'
Janet Reid is a New York literary agent, and she has put some of her responses to those letters, known in the trade as 'Query Letters', in a blog called Queryshark.
She explains to the BBC's Dan Damon how aspiring writers can make the right first impression.
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First broadcast 30 September 2009
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