how to write cover letter for literary magazine

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Literary Journal, Magazine, or Publication

A cover letter is your chance to create a positive first impression for the editors and readers who are reviewing your work. An unprofessional (or even a long-winded) cover letter can warrant unenthusiastic consideration of your work.

However, a concise and well-written cover letter encourages editors to begin reading the submitted poem, manuscript, or short story proper. As Michelle Richmond, publisher of Fiction Attic Press, writes , “It might surprise you to know that the most forgettable cover letters are often the best.” And if you’re submitting to Adroit , it might be a good idea to review our cover letter guidelines here .

Here’s an example of an efficient and entirely fictitious cover letter that works, with footnotes to explain what to incorporate into your cover letters. A caveat: Different publications may have different requirements for their cover letters. Don’t assume that our template will work everywhere. That being said, this is a solid starting point.

Dear Peter LaBerge, Chris Crowder, Heidi Seaborn, and Adroit readers, 1

Please consider my poem, “No Regrets.” 2 I’ve been a long-time fan of Adroit , and I particularly enjoyed Jennifer Tseng’s “ First Son ” from Issue 27. 3

This is a simultaneous submission. If “No Regrets” is accepted elsewhere, I will withdraw it immediately. 4

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. 5

Sincerely, Peter Rabbit

Peter Rabbit is a senior majoring in statistics and comparative literature at the University of Vermont. Their work has previously been published in Winter Tangerine and Vagabond City . Some of their other work can be found online at peterrabbit.wordpress.com. 6

1 Referencing editors’ names shows that you’ve done your research and adds a personal touch to what may be a copy-and-pasted cover letter. For your convenience, I’ve linked the Adroit masthead here . If you truly can’t find information about the editor, consider using “Dear Editors,” “Dear Readers,” “To whom it may concern:” or “Dear [Journal].”

2 Short and simple. Your first sentence should convey why you are writing this cover letter. If you’re submitting a short story, editors will often want to know the word count. Also include the category or genre of the piece.

3 Referencing a piece or two previously published by a literary journal shows editors that you’ve done your research. Editors can assume that you’re familiar with what kind of work they publish, and that will set their mind at ease. Of course, don’t fake it. If you have a truly personal connection with the editor, feel free to add it. But make sure it’s not as inane as “I noticed that we both have a dog! I love dogs.”

4 Simultaneous submissions are submitted to multiple journals at the same time. It’s a common practice accepted at many journals, but individual journals might have different requirements. Always include information on simultaneous submissions as a matter of professional courtesy.

5 Simple, courteous, and a good lead to the actual content.

6 Many journals, like Adroit , will ask for a short bio. Include some general details about your current occupation, your training or education, and some of your most recent publications. It’s important to emphasize that editors will keep reading even if you haven’t had any publications or if you aren’t formally pursuing a creative writing degree (whether graduate or undergraduate), so don’t feel like you’ve got to conjure up some accolades or fluff. You probably want to leave out superfluous details like your job as a babysitter in sixth grade or your last sandwich order.

There you have it. A quick but professional way to open your submission to a literary journal, magazine, and publication. You seem human, but you are first and foremost a writer. And writers want their work to be read and published. Good luck!

Thank you for visiting The Adroit Journal . For more writing-geared content, be sure to sign up for updates using the form below!

Darren Chang

Darren Chang is an undergraduate student at Cornell University, where he participates in intercollegiate policy debate, writes a column for the Daily Sun, and devours large quantities of ice cream. Academically, he is interested by the intersection of different cultural perspectives, especially Asian American and disability scholarship. You can also catch him reading memoirs and autobiographies, playing ping pong, and laughing at memes of his home state of Indiana.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from the adroit journal.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Mandie Hines Author

Poetry, Horror, Psychological Thrillers

Cover Letters for Literary Magazines

by Mandie Hines · April 13, 2017

Cover letters are the first impression a writer makes on an editor at a literary magazine. I’m going to tell you how to write one, so you don’t ruin your chances of getting published before the editor has a chance to read your work.

A cover letter to a literary magazine may be the simplest thing you can write, and yet writers often overcomplicate the process and make the wrong impression. I’m going to tell you a secret that will help tremendously when writing your cover letters. The cover letter serves a function, which is to give the editors the information they need at a glance. That’s it.

Cover letters are far different than query letters you write to a literary agent or publisher.  There’s no explanation of what the story is about, and there’s hardly anything, if anything, about you in the letter.

Let’s start with what information goes in a cover letter.

• Genre:  This lets the magazine know that you’re piece is in a genre that they publish. A horror magazine isn’t going to waste their time reading a romance, so this is a quick way for them to make sure you read their guidelines, are familiar with their publication, and are submitting a piece that they would print.
• Approximate length of piece: This let’s the editor know that the length of the piece falls within their guidelines. Round to the nearest hundred words, or if it’s poetry, you’ll put the number of lines. 
• If the piece is being submitted simultaneously with other publications:  Only put in a line for this if you plan to submit to other publications simultaneously. Again, pay attention to the magazine’s guidelines. There are several publications that do not allow simultaneous submissions. If you do not plan on submitting to other publications at the same time, omit this line.
• A short list of where your work has been published:  If you’ve been published in several publications, only list three (preferably within the same genre as the magazine where you’re currently submitting). If you have not been published, omit this line.
• A brief thank you:  Editors go through hundreds, if not thousands, of submissions every month. A thank you is always appreciated.
•   Contact information: This makes it easy for an editor to respond to your submission.

Before beginning your cover letter, do your research on the name of the editor(s) of the publication. It is important to address your cover letter to a person, and shows that you took the time to track down who would be reviewing the piece. Keep in mind, there are several magazines that have multiple departments, so select the correct editor.

Here’s an example of a cover letter.

Many magazines are now accepting submissions only online, so if you are sending your submission via email, start the email at “Dear” and the rest of the letter will be the same.

Now that you have the general idea of how to write a cover letter for a literary magazine, let me give you some tips about things NOT to include, along with some additional advice.

• Do not put “To Whom it May Concern:” because no one will be concerned if that is the salutation of your letter.
• When you put Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. in your salutation, make sure that you have the correct gender. Many editors use their initials. If you absolutely cannot discover this information online, then drop the Mr. or Ms. and just put their full name.
• In the event that you cannot discover the editor, put “Dear Editor:” in place of a name.
• Check your letter for errors. Editors will notice them, and it will create a bad impression.
• Do not list every place your work has ever been published. Select three publications that may be relevant. If you want to make a point that your work has appeared in several publications, put something like “My work has previously appeared in . . . among others.”
• If you do not have any publication credits to list, don’t worry, but don’t point it out either.

A cover letter should be clean and simple. Many magazines separate the cover letter from the story, so your piece will be judged on the quality of the piece and whether it’s a good fit for the magazine. In other words, you don’t want your cover letter to leave an impression.

If you’re drafting your cover letter, you may find these posts useful:

Manuscript Formatting

The (Submission) Grinder

Best of luck with submitting your work!

Tell me your success stories with submitting to literary publications. Are there any lessons you learned about submitting, the hard way? Are there any struggles that you’ve had or are having with preparing a story for submission, or with submitting a story to a literary magazine?

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Tags: Cover letters Literary Magazines Poems Publishing Tip Query letters Short Stories Submissions Writing

You may also like...

Finishing Your Novel — Book Recommendation

August 31, 2017

Author Websites: Static vs. Dynamic

August 10, 2017

NaNoInspo — Getting Started

November 1, 2018

11 Responses

• Comments 11
• Pingbacks 0

Following the instructions very carefully for Clarkesworld Magazine’s online submission process, my cover letter resulted in one substantive sentence, the salutations, and my contact info. That was all. If I’d added anything else, it would have violated their instructions. This was actually a relief. Ten or so years ago when I was submitting by paper, the process was much more painful. I LOVE ONLINE SUBMISSIONS.

Another good post.

Thank you, Kecia. The importance of following a literary magazine’s guidelines can’t be stressed enough. I love that almost all magazines have switched to online submissions. Some magazines no longer even require a cover letter, but most still allow one to be submitted whether it’s in an email or through providing a space to add it in their online submission form. I can’t believe how many literary magazines have switched over to either include an online version, or many have even switched to exclusively putting out an online version within the past five years. Thank you for reading and commenting. I enjoy our conversations. 🙂

I forgot to mention that Clarkesworld Magazine is one of the most challenging magazines to get published in. They’re currently listed as No. 6 of the Most Challenging magazines on Duotrope, and I’ve seen them in the top two before. They’re acceptance rate is 0.19 percent. You write amazing sci-fi pieces though, so I hope yours gets accepted. And if you do, after I scrape my jaw off the ground, I’ll probably be in awe of your forever. And if not, just know that you’re an incredibly talented writer. That was the first place I submitted “Alger’s Dimension,” but I should have known it wasn’t a good fit. My story is sci-fi/horror, but really soft on the sci-fi end.

I haven’t submitted yet, but researched them because of their reputation. I wanted to keep that quality of work as my goal as I write.

That’s one of the best approaches, Kecia. By reading a magazine you get a sense for more than the genre they publish, you also get the feel of the magazine and what type of stories they are most likely to accept. At some point, I would like to write a piece with a certain magazine in mind, as opposed to the way I’ve done it in the past where I write a story and then try to find a magazine that would make a good fit for the story.

This is great, thanks for writing this. I’ve been sending out mag subscriptions as a sort of mini-query (if that’s possible). Most of them end up looking something like you have prescribed, but I didn’t really have a formula for it yet. Now I do. thanks so much. Think I’m going to link this page on my “Resources” list, so don’t let your website go anywhere. 🙂

Haha Thank you so much. I’m am thrilled that you found this useful. And no worries, I plan on having this website around for a long time. 🙂

Some very good advice. I learned some of this during my Freelance Writing class with Penn Foster, so it was a nice rehash.

Thank you. It’s a great thing to have as a template, and takes the thinking out of that part of the submission process. I remember the first time I wrote a cover letter for a magazine, it was so nerve-wracking. I was afraid I would mess it up somehow. Now I have a cover letter template that I start with each time. It’s a good way to make sure you don’t inadvertently leave information in the letter that is specific to another publication or about another story.

You made some great points. Less is often more.

Thank you for stopping by and reading, Russell. And you’re right, less is often more.

Join the Conversation Cancel reply

Never Miss a Post! Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

How to Write a Submission Cover Letter That Will Wow Literary Agents

As a writer, you spend countless hours perfecting your manuscript, pouring your heart and soul into every word. But did you know that the cover letter you include with your manuscript submission is just as …

Written by: Adam

Published on: November 20, 2023

The purpose of a submission cover letter is to introduce yourself and your work to literary agents. It gives you the opportunity to make a strong first impression and convince the agent that your manuscript is worth their time and consideration. While the content of your manuscript is undoubtedly important, a well-written cover letter can help it stand out from the slush pile and increase your chances of getting noticed.

Understanding the purpose of a cover letter for manuscript submission

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of writing a cover letter for manuscript submission, it’s crucial to understand its purpose. A cover letter serves as a professional introduction to your work and provides a glimpse into your writing style and personality. It should be concise, engaging, and tailored specifically to the agent or agency you’re submitting to.

When a literary agent receives a submission, they often have limited time to review each one. A well-crafted cover letter can pique their interest and make them eager to delve into your manuscript. Think of it as a teaser, enticing them to read further. It’s your chance to showcase your writing skills and convince the agent that you’re not only a talented writer but also a professional who understands the industry.

Essential elements of a cover letter for manuscript submission

Now that you understand the purpose of a cover letter, let’s explore the essential elements that should be included. First and foremost, your cover letter should be professional in tone and format. Use a standard business letter format with your contact information at the top, followed by the agent’s details and the date. Address the agent by name if possible, as it shows you’ve done your research and personalized the letter.

Next, introduce yourself and mention the title of your manuscript. Briefly explain why you chose to submit to that particular agent or agency. This demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in working with them. Highlight any relevant writing credentials or experience you have that make you uniquely qualified to write the manuscript. Keep this section concise and focus on the most impressive aspects of your background.

Finally, provide a brief summary or pitch of your manuscript. This should be a compelling and concise overview that captures the essence of your story and leaves the agent wanting to know more. Avoid giving away too much detail or spoiling the plot. Instead, focus on intriguing the agent and creating a sense of curiosity. Think of this section as a movie trailer – it should leave the agent eager to dive into your manuscript and discover the full story.

Tips for writing an attention-grabbing opening paragraph

The opening paragraph of your cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression and grab the agent’s attention. Start with a compelling hook that will immediately engage the agent and makes them curious about your manuscript. It might be an intriguing question, a shocking statistic or a captivating anecdote. The key is to make the agent want to keep reading.

After the hook, briefly introduce yourself and your manuscript. Mention any relevant writing credentials or experience that make you stand out. Highlight why you chose to submit to that particular agent or agency. Show them that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in working with them. This personal touch can make a significant impact and show the agent that you’ve put thought into your submission.

Remember to keep the opening paragraph concise and to the point. Agents receive numerous submissions every day, so they appreciate brevity. Avoid rambling or providing unnecessary information. Instead, focus on crafting a strong and attention-grabbing opening that leaves the agent eager to read more.

How to showcase your writing credentials and experience

When it comes to writing a cover letter for manuscript submission, showcasing your writing credentials and experience is essential. This section allows you to demonstrate your expertise and convince the agent that you’re a talented writer who is worth their consideration. Here are a few tips to help you effectively showcase your credentials:

Highlight any relevant writing achievements: Focus on the writing credentials that are most relevant to your manuscript and the genre you’re targeting. This could include published (or self-published) works, writing awards, or any other accomplishments that demonstrate your skill and experience (such as building an audience on social media).

Provide details but be concise: While it’s important to provide some context and details about your writing credentials, remember to keep it concise. Agents have limited time, so make sure to highlight the most impressive aspects without overwhelming them with unnecessary information.

Tailor your credentials to the agent or agency: Research the agent or agency you’re submitting to and tailor your writing credentials accordingly. If they have a particular interest or speciality, highlight any relevant experience you have in that area. This shows the agent that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in working with them.

By effectively showcasing your writing credentials and experience, you can establish yourself as a credible and talented writer. This increases the agent’s confidence in your abilities and makes them more likely to consider your manuscript.

Crafting a compelling summary of your manuscript

Perhaps the most crucial part of your cover letter for manuscript submission is the summary of your manuscript itself. This section is your chance to give the agent a taste of what your story is about and entice them to read further. Here are a few tips to help you craft a compelling summary:

Keep it concise: Your summary should be brief, typically no more than a few paragraphs. Focus on the main plot points and the core themes of your story. Avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary details or subplots.

Capture the essence of your story: Your summary should give the agent a clear idea of what your story is about and what makes it unique. Highlight the main conflict, the protagonist’s journey, and any intriguing elements that set your manuscript apart.

Create a sense of curiosity: The goal of your summary is to leave the agent wanting to know more. Don’t give away all the details or spoil the ending. Instead, create a sense of curiosity that compels the agent to dive into your manuscript and discover the full story.

Crafting a compelling summary takes time and careful consideration. It’s often helpful to draft multiple versions and seek feedback from trusted peers or writing groups. Remember, your summary is your manuscript’s first impression, so make it count.

Do’s and don’ts of writing a cover letter for manuscript submission

To wrap up our guide on writing a submission cover letter, let’s go over some essential do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:

• Address the agent by name if possible.
• Tailor your cover letter to the agent or agency you’re submitting to.
• Highlight your most relevant writing credentials and experience.
• Keep your cover letter concise and to the point.
• Proofread your cover letter for any grammatical or spelling errors.

Don’t:

• Ramble or provide unnecessary information.
• Oversell or exaggerate your writing credentials.
• Give away too much detail or spoil the plot in your manuscript summary.
• Forget to personalise your cover letter for each submission.
• Forget to follow the submission guidelines provided by the agent or agency.

By following these do’s and don’ts, you can ensure that your cover letter is professional, engaging, and tailored to the agent you’re submitting to. Remember, the goal is to get a foot in the door, make a good first impression and convince the agent that your manuscript is worth their time and consideration.

The Ultimate Guide to Novel Length: How Many Words Should Your Book Be?

Creating memorable characters through dialogue: a guide to writing effective conversations in your novel.

Written Samples

15 sample cover letters for poetry submission.

Submitting your poetry to literary journals and magazines can feel like sending your creative work out into a void, unsure if it will ever find its intended audience.

While the power of your poems should speak for itself, a well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in catching an editor’s attention and increasing your chances of publication.

Sample Cover Letters for Poetry Submission

In this article, we provide 15 sample cover letters to inspire and guide you as you embark on your poetry submission journey.

Cover Letter 1

Dear Poetry Editor,

Please consider the attached poems, “Moonlit Musings,” “Whispers in the Wind,” and “Echoes of Eternity,” for publication in your esteemed journal. These pieces explore themes of introspection, nature, and the human condition, weaving together vivid imagery and lyrical language.

My poetry has previously appeared in Poetic Horizons, The Verse Review, and Inkwell Magazine. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Sylvan University and have been refining my craft for the past decade.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of seeing my work grace the pages of your publication.

Cover Letter 2

Dear Editors of Lyrical Visions,

I am submitting three poems for your consideration: “Dancing Shadows,” “Unspoken Truths,” and “Symphony of Silence.” Each piece examines human emotions, using metaphor and symbolism to convey universal experiences.

As an emerging poet, I have been published in several online literary magazines, including Poetic Pulses and Verse Vibes. I am constantly seeking opportunities to share my work with a wider audience and believe that Lyrical Visions would be an excellent platform for my poetry.

Thank you for taking the time to review my submission. I eagerly await your response.

Best regards,

Ethan Wordsmith

Cover Letter 3

Dear Poetry Review Team,

Enclosed please find three poems for your consideration: “Reflections in the Rain,” “Uncharted Territories,” and “Whispering Pines.” These pieces explore the themes of self-discovery, adventure, and the beauty of the natural world.

I have been writing poetry for over a decade and have had my work featured in various anthologies and literary journals, such as Poetic Impressions and The Rhyming Review. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your publication and share my voice with your readers.

Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate the time and effort you put into reviewing submissions.

Maya Rhymes

Cover Letter 4

Dear Editorial Team,

I am submitting three poems for your consideration: “Whispers of the Heart,” “Uncharted Paths,” and “Moonlit Musings.” These pieces explore themes of love, self-discovery, and the beauty of the night, using evocative language and vivid imagery to capture the reader’s imagination.

As an aspiring poet, I have had my work published in several online literary magazines, such as Poetic Pulses and Verse Vibes. I am passionate about sharing my poetry with a wider audience and believe that your publication would be an excellent platform for my work.

Thank you for taking the time to review my submission. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sophia Stanza

Cover Letter 5

Enclosed please find three poems for your consideration: “Echoes of Silence,” “Unspoken Truths,” and “Whispering Shadows.” These pieces examine human emotions, using symbolism and metaphor to convey universal experiences.

I have been refining my craft for several years and have had my poetry featured in various anthologies and literary journals, including Poetic Impressions and The Rhyming Review. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your publication and share my voice with your readers.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the effort you put into reviewing submissions.

Cover Letter 6

Dear Verse Vanguard Editors,

Please consider the attached poems, “Reflections in the Rain,” “Unwritten Destinies,” and “Moonlit Reveries,” for inclusion in your upcoming issue. These pieces explore themes of introspection, potential, and the magic of the night, employing rich imagery and emotive language to engage readers.

As a dedicated poet, I have had the privilege of seeing my work published in several literary magazines, such as Poetic Horizons and The Stanza Scene. I believe my poetry would resonate with your audience and contribute to the diverse voices showcased in Verse Vanguard.

Thank you for taking the time to review my submission. I look forward to the possibility of my poems finding a home in your esteemed publication.

Olivia Octave

Cover Letter 7

I am submitting three poems for your consideration: “Dancing with Shadows,” “Uncharted Territories,” and “Symphony of Silence.” Each piece examines the human experience, using vivid imagery and lyrical language to convey emotions and ideas.

As an emerging poet, I have been published in several online literary magazines, including Poetic Pulses and Verse Vibes. I am constantly seeking opportunities to share my work with a wider audience and believe that Poetry Review would be an excellent platform for my poetry.

Ethan Elegy

Cover Letter 8

Dear Editors of Lyrical Landscapes,

Enclosed please find three poems for your consideration: “Whispers in the Wind,” “Unspoken Truths,” and “Echoes of Eternity.” These pieces explore the beauty of nature, the power of words, and the timelessness of the human spirit.

Cover Letter 9

Please consider the attached poems, “Moonlit Musings,” “Whispers of the Heart,” and “Echoes of Silence,” for publication in your esteemed journal. These pieces explore themes of introspection, love, and the power of quiet moments, weaving together vivid imagery and emotive language.

Cover Letter 10

I am submitting three poems for your consideration: “Unwritten Destinies,” “Reflections in the Rain,” and “Dancing with Shadows.” Each piece explores the themes of potential, introspection, and the interplay of light and darkness, using metaphor and symbolism to convey universal experiences.

As a dedicated poet, I have had my work published in several literary magazines, including Poetic Pulses and The Stanza Scene. I am constantly seeking opportunities to share my poetry with a wider audience and believe that Verse Vanguard would be an excellent platform for my work.

Cover Letter 11

Enclosed please find three poems for your consideration: “Symphony of Silence,” “Uncharted Territories,” and “Whispers in the Wind.” These pieces explore the beauty of stillness, the excitement of new experiences, and the gentle voice of nature.

I have been writing poetry for several years and have had my work featured in various anthologies and literary journals, such as Poetic Impressions and The Rhyming Review. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your publication and share my voice with your readers.

Cover Letter 12

Please consider the attached poems, “Echoes of Eternity,” “Unspoken Truths,” and “Moonlit Reveries,” for inclusion in your upcoming issue. These pieces examine the timelessness of the human spirit, the power of words, and the magic of the night, employing rich imagery and lyrical language to engage readers.

As an emerging poet, I have had the privilege of seeing my work published in several online literary magazines, including Poetic Horizons and Verse Vibes. I believe my poetry would resonate with your audience and contribute to the diverse voices showcased in Lyrical Landscapes.

Cover Letter 13

I am submitting three poems for your consideration: “Whispers of the Heart,” “Echoes of Silence,” and “Moonlit Musings.” These pieces explore the depths of emotion, the power of quiet moments, and the beauty of the night, using evocative language and vivid imagery to capture the reader’s imagination.

As a passionate poet, I have had my work published in several literary magazines, such as Poetic Pulses and The Verse Review. I am constantly seeking opportunities to share my poetry with a wider audience and believe that your publication would be an excellent platform for my work.

Cover Letter 14

Enclosed please find three poems for your consideration: “Unwritten Destinies,” “Dancing with Shadows,” and “Reflections in the Rain.” These pieces explore the themes of potential, the interplay of light and darkness, and the power of introspection, using symbolism and metaphor to convey universal experiences.

I have been refining my craft for over a decade and have had my poetry featured in various anthologies and literary journals, including Poetic Impressions and Inkwell Magazine. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your publication and share my voice with your readers.

Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate the effort you put into reviewing submissions.

Cover Letter 15

Please consider the attached poems, “Symphony of Silence,” “Whispers in the Wind,” and “Uncharted Territories,” for publication in your esteemed journal. These pieces explore the beauty of stillness, the gentle voice of nature, and the excitement of new experiences, weaving together vivid imagery and emotive language.

My poetry has previously appeared in Poetic Horizons, Verse Vibes, and The Stanza Scene. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Sylvan University and have been dedicated to my craft for the past decade.

Crafting a compelling cover letter is an essential skill for any poet seeking publication.

By following the examples provided in this article, you can create a cover letter that showcases your unique voice, highlights your publishing history, and demonstrates your passion for the craft.

Always customize each cover letter to the specific publication you are submitting to, and maintain a professional and courteous tone.

Submitting your poetry can be a challenging process, but with persistence, dedication, and a well-written cover letter, you’ll increase your chances of catching an editor’s eye and seeing your work in print.

Embrace the journey, continue to refine your craft, and let your love for poetry shine through in every submission.

The world is waiting to read your words.

How to Craft the Perfect Literary Cover Letter

If you are a fiction or nonfiction writer and plan to submit a short story or personal essay to a literary magazine, your handshake and introduction of yourself and your work comes by way of a literary cover letter.

A literary cover letter is a short professional letter, typically only a few paragraphs. It is designed to introduce the piece you are submitting for publication, say why you have chosen to submit it to this particular publication, and share a bit about your writing background.

Rather than go in cold, your literary cover letter is your congenial foot in the door. It’s meant to briefly pave the way for your work by giving a bit of your personality and some foundational info to the editor that they’ll hold in mind when turning to the first line of your work.

Because of this, as it can make or break an editor’s deciding whether to accept your work, your cover letter has got to represent all the best parts of you.

Why Do You Need A Literary Cover Letter?

Even though ideally your work should stand on its own merit, a writer is entwined with their work. As a result, that human introduction to your piece is industry standard for all literary magazine submissions. Whether you’re submitting a a single haiku, a 25-page long short story, a personal essay or anything in-between, it’s got to be introduced by you first.

How the Perfect Literary Cover Letter Should Look

The template.

Think about how you’d dress for a job interview, and apply that crisp shirt and polished shoes metaphorically to your cover letter template.

Go to Microsoft Word and find “letter” in templates, or use a platform like Canva, where you can find clean pre-made templates that can be saved as PDFs.

• Your address, email, phone
• The literary magazine’s address, email, phone
• The editor’s name
• Warm professional greeting
• The title of your work, the word count, and the genre.
• Mention of the work being a simultaneous submission if you have also sent it out to other magazines.
• Why you have chosen to send your work to this magazine/editor.
• Your background/bio that is relevant to your writing (where possible).
• Warm, solicitous closing
• Your name and signature

Formatting Specs

The following are industry-standard formatting practices for crafting your literary cover letter:

• A common easy-to-read font (no cute fonts or script) like Times New Roman, Courier, or Garamond
• 1” margins all around
• White background with black letters
• 1.5 line space paragraphs with an additional space between the paragraphs

*Don’t have a digital signature? Here’s how you make it:

• Sign your name on a white piece of paper
• Take a picture of it
• Send the picture to yourself
• Save it on your computer as a JPEG
• Position your mouse at the spot where you would like the signature to go in your cover letter Word doc., and click
• Go to the toolbar –> Insert–> Picture–> Picture from file. Choose your JPEG and there you go!

*If you decide to turn your Word doc into a PDF later on, make sure you do that only after you’ve inserted your signature.

*Need proper formatting details for your manuscript ?

How to Craft the Perfect Literary Cover Letter: The Dos and Don’ts

Bear in mind that any time you submit your work for publication, you are up against hundreds or even thousands of other writers- writers who have carefully rendered their short stories, poetry, and personal essays with heart and soul just as you have.

The little things you do in your literary cover letter that are gracious, intelligent, and clear and the things you don’t do that will undermine your efforts will help your work along measurably.

• Always address the editor by name . Yes, this requires some legwork. Yes, you have to do this for every single submission even if you’re sending out to 94 different literary magazines. Such is life, but it’s an investment. Any letter that speaks to the editor by name engenders a relationship and establishes goodwill right off the bat. Any letter that starts with “Dear Editor” may as well walk its own self right into the rejected pile.

Why do they care?

If an editor feels your work is right for their magazine, both because it fits in with their magazine’s ethos as well as would work nicely for a particular issue, they will present your work to their editorial board and argue why they should publish your piece in their upcoming issue. Once the issue is in place, it’s a delicately balanced Jenga tower.

You can only publish your piece with one literary magazine (most all of them require non-exclusive first rights) so if your work is accepted elsewhere and you haven’t warned the other magazines that they might have to pull yours out of their issue, it not only throws their balance off and makes them have to scramble to find another that’s similar, but it’s considered bad manners to not have managed that expectation in the first place.

If you do not tell them it’s a simultaneous submission, and it is accepted by one of the many magazines you submitted to, when you alert the other magazines, at the least, they will never consider your work again, and at the most, they may share your name with other magazines so they will know to avoid you as well. (It’s a small community)

And if the magazine in its submission guidelines says “no simultaneous submissions allowed”?

Then you either have to respect this and patiently wait to be rejected or accepted by them before sending your work elsewhere, not submit to that magazine, or play your odds (which is not recommended).

If your work has been prepared on a typewriter or a program that does not have a word count feature, you can know that each page of your manuscript (if formatted to industry standards) will be between 250-325 words/page.

*And to avoid embarrassing yourself and wasting everyone’s time by submitting to a magazine that only takes a certain type of piece or genre that’s not what you submitted.

In your second paragraph, reference those pieces and/or any reason you have approached this particular magazine. This will show the editor you’re not simply spraying your work all over but have been intentional with your submissions.

If you have not ever published or have no particular literary experience yet, it’s perfectly fine to give a bit about your education or background and say “This is my first submission” in lieu of publications or awards. Being an emerging author won’t count against you; in fact, many magazines delight in being the ones to discover new voices!

Access the FREE Spreadsheet  (No Signing Up Necessary)

(though you certainly may sign up, especially if you’d like our comprehensive novel planning workbook):.

• Proofread! Have your cover letter proofread by an editor or writer friend. Like you would do for all your work, ensure it gets in front of another person’s eyes so they can catch any errors, typos, or issues of clarity.
• Avoid a Cluttered Letter Template or Unique Formatting : Don’t get fancy with your template or go off-roading with your formatting. Keep it simple and clean. Follow the guidelines. There are loads of templates in Microsoft Word and Canva that are colorful, have spots for your photo, and graphic design elements and such pretty fonts, but avoid the temptation to be splashy.
• Don’t be impersonal : Once more for the back row: “Dear Editor” is not recommended.
• Avoid sounding anything but gracious and humble:  “This is the story you’ve been waiting for,” or “You’re going to want to publish this story,” kind of sentiments, whether meant in earnest or in jest, tend not to land well.
• Don’t summarize your story or talk about it in any way : in Paragraph 1, stick with the facts.

*Sending blindly without at least skimming the magazine or reading about it online is not recommended.

*Note: if you wish to write something brief about your personal life, or you have a unique situation such as, “I was raised in Malaysia, went to the Sorbonne where I received my degree in Criminology, and I now live in Honolulu with my husband and two children and work for the State Department,” that’s OK and humanizes you nicely (plus, it sets you apart in the editor’s memory). Totally up to you.

By following these steps, keeping your literary cover letter brief, clean, professional but warm, you’re sure to have the perfect paper handshake that will prep any editor for wanting to read (and eventually publish!) your work.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Got questions?

tel. 647.812.6107

Grateful November Sale!

• USE COUPON CODE write20olpgrnov2023 at checkout!