As an editor of a lit mag, I get a lot of submissions that are introduced by pretty terrible cover letters. Here’s a secret: for many editors (myself included), when faced with the choice between two equally good submissions, the one with the better, politer cover letter always wins out.
Do:
- Do read at least one issue of the magazine before you send them anything.
- Do address the editor by name, either the editor in chief or a subeditor.
- Do give your word count and subgenre.
- Do keep your list of accolades short and sweet.
Don’t:
- Start with “Dear Editors.” *cringe*
-
- This sounds like you didn’t even take the time to figure out who’s at the helm of the ship you’re trying to board. Yikes.
- Describe your story or poem. Let your work speak for itself.
- Bloviate about your thousands of accolades. If you were that famous, wouldn’t the editors have heard of you?
- Submit something that the lit mag doesn’t publish. No, they won’t make an exception for you.
Fill-in-the-Blank: Example Cover Letter
Please feel free to use these yourselves. Copy, paste, share: whatever.
Dear [ Mr. or Ms. Editor’s Surname],
Attached to this email, you will find my [fiction only, state your word count: X,XXX word] [poem/short story] entitled “[Your Title].”
My [poetry/fiction] has appear in [Review Name], [Review Name], and elsewhere.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Writer’s First and Last Name]
Variation:
Dear [ Mr. or Ms. Editor’s Surname],
Attached to this email, you will find my [fiction only, state your word count: X,XXX word] [poem/short story] entitled “[Your Title].”
[A short biographical snippet: Include something interesting about yourself, where you have studied your genre, and a few accolades.]
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Writer’s First and Last Name]