Using the "Writer's Market"
Once I've gone through and marked up the pages, my next step is to prioritize, focusing on one play at a time. To minimize postage costs, I start with all those that want query letters first, which will cost only 66 cents each (counting the SASP), rather than submitting full scripts right away, which will run $6.40 ($3.20 each way for priority mail). Plus, many of these listings may not accept simultaneous submissions, but multiple queries are not a problem, so I can hit 15 to 20 or more potential sales with a single mailing campaign.
Having noted which ones to start with for a particular play (based on the likelihood of my play truly fulfilling a need), I then draft my query letter. I use MS Word, and create a mail merge, so I need a letter plus a data file of the names and addresses where I will be querying. I also do a mail merge for the SASPs (self-addressed, stamped postcards) that I'll include with the letter. You can buy these cheaply (get the 4x6 size, not 3x5 cards).
The query letter can be an art in itself, in that you are trying to tempt the reader to contact you for further information or to read your script. This is where having powerful 100-word descriptions is essential. My entire submission contains a one-page letter, the SASP, and the envelope. That way, after reading my query letter, the reader can simply check a box on my preprinted SASP and toss it in their Out basket, having spent no more than a minute or so on my query.
This accomplishes a couple of things. First, the person reading my query has had a relatively easy task, considering my letter is probably among dozens that are received each day. I have received feedback that my queries are concise and professional. Second, and more important, is the fact that once they request my script, that script is no longer unsolicited. This makes a huge difference between a script ending up in a slush pile or not.
With a mailing out for one play, I then go back through the same steps for another play that is ready to go and repeat the query process.
Once all queries have been sent (and if I am mailing out for several plays, it may take a few weeks), I should then be receiving the first SASPs back. With my simplistic
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