Don't Send Queries to "Sir or Madam"

Find out why sending queries, proposals, and manuscripts to "Dear Sir or Madam" is a major no-no.

You're sitting at home sorting through the mail and you find a letter that's addressed to "the Current Resident." Do you open it? If you're like most people you'll toss it out faster than a hot taco dripping salsa on a papercut. Now imagine getting mail like this at your job. The people who so desperately want to get your attention haven't even bothered to find out your name. Think it's worth opening?

Editors go through this every day. It's lazy, sloppy, and just plain rude to send your work to someone without bothering to find out their name. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean they're getting anywhere with it. Do your research and stand out of the crowd. It will get you brownie points and THAT much further from the slush pile.