How to Write Cover Letters for Short Story Submissions

Cover letters are essential for short story submissions, regardless of whether you're submitting through email or snail mail. Literary magazines like to know whose work they're reading and they like to know the writer did at least minimal research before sending the submission.

Each magazine is different. Some want specific things addressed. For instance, Flashquake states that if a writer doesn't want feedback, a statement to that effect must be included in the cover letter. Others may request that you leave out certain information. Menda City Review, for example, prefers not to have a bio included in the submission.

The same basic format can be used for any short story submission. Be sure to read the magazine's guidelines carefully and make the appropriate changes.

Salutation

The first thing you need to do is check the masthead. The masthead lists the magazine's editors and staff. If there is no specific section for this, check the About Us or Contact Us sections.

Always address your cover letter to the fiction editor. If there is no fiction editor, then address it to the main editor or the editor-in-chief. "Dear Editor" should only be used when the magazine does not list its staff.

Introductory paragraph

The best advice I ever received regarding submissions came from a poet who was lecturing at a seminar. She said her cover letters simply state, "Here's my poem." The point is that you want the editor to spend time reading your story, not your cover letter.

Keep it as simple as possible. Let your story speak for itself. Don't explain the theme or where you got the idea for the story. Just say:

"Enclosed is my fiction submission, 'title', for your consideration."

You can, of course, change that line to suit your tastes. You can add the word count of your story, the name of the magazine you're submitting to, and anything else you want as long as you keep it simple and the paragraph doesn't have more than a couple sentences.

Bio

The bio is the About the Author section. It should be kept under 100 words and it should tell something about you. Some writers mention where they live, the names of their pets, or what they do in their spare time. Other writers mention only their publishing credits. If you don't have any publishing credits, just don't mention it. Since most literary magazines are open to new writers, it's no big deal.

Editors like the bios to fit the tone of the magazine. That means some prefer serious bios, while others prefer off-the-wall, humorous bios. If you're unsure, take a look at the author bios published in the magazine and follow their example. I like to include my email address in case any readers want to contact me. I've also had editors of other magazines contact me this way.

Closing

This one's easy. Thank the editors for their time. Be sure to sign your name (or, in the case of an email submission, type your name).

Information to include

Include your name, snail mail address, phone number, and email address in your cover letter. If you're sending it snail mail, your information should be at the top of the letter. For email, it can be at the top or the bottom of the letter.