Do any of you copy/paste the same letter/note/manuscript to a large amount of publishers, and wait for one to say yes? What if two or more say yes? Do you tell the others "Just kidding. April Fools!"?
Check the individual publisher's guidelines. Some accept simultaneous submissions. Others do not. I would reconsider 'copy and pasting' the exact same content and shot-gunning it out to publishers. Research and target publishers that publish the type of novel/story you have written. Read the guidelines and send them what they request (content: query, synopsis, first three chapters, full manuscript, etc.), in the form they request it (uploaded file, email attachment, body of the email, printed and mailed, etc.), formatted as they request it (double spaced, Times Roman, 1 inch margins, etc.). Also, the cover/query would be more effective if it isn't generic but rather targeted to each individual publisher. If you do send to publishers that accept simultaneous submissions, the proper etiquette is to inform the other publishers considering your manuscript that it's been accepted by another publisher as soon as you know this, within reason of course. Good luck!
terry's advice is good... but are you asking about magazine publishers or book publishers? if it's a book you have to offer why aren't you querying agents first?... an agent will have a much better chance of getting you a publisher than you can do on your own, since most of the best houses won't enen read unagented queries...
I've done some research, trying to get published without an agent is like trying to grow a tree without soil, possible, but very difficult, you should ask around for recommended agents
