Writing a Cover Letter for a Short Story

You've created your short story and you're ready to send it out. However, you need to prepare a cover letter for the submission. What should you write? And how long should it be? There is actually a specific format, but most magazines won't tell you what it is. Just calm down, and we'll go through an actual cover letter I wrote, how to edit it, and what has to be said.

Let me post my cover letter, and what we can do to fix it.

(this top section should be right adjusted)
Paul Mann
(address line 1 omitted)
(address line 2 omitted)
Cell #: omitted
Email: ruecian21@yahoo.com

Dear Fiction Editor,

Please consider my unpublished 3,050-word manuscript "Celestially Earthbound Muse," for publication at AGNI magazine. A SASE has been enclosed for your reply.

The story features a hack writer, drained of inspiration, who goes to desperate lengths to reclaim his talent. Through mysterious channels, "The Holder" invites him to an abandoned building. After a short exchange, he shoes the writer an imprisoned muse. Their only rule, never mention her being passed off, nothing else.

Within the next day, he is able to write without any creative hindrances. Through her he can see the realities of Heaven, Hell, and the angels. He soon talks to the muse, wishing for a moment of freedom, and her story creates an interesting reaction.

I am a graduate of Montclair University with a BA in English and Creative Writing, and am a working writer in New Jersey. I have six years of fiction writing experience.

Thank you for reading this letter and my work.

Sincerely,
Paul Mann

Not bad, however there is a lot of work to be done. Let's start at the length. Your cover letter, like this one, should be one page and no more. It can be less, that isn't a problem, but if it is more you need to edit it down.

Next, never say "dear fiction editor." ALWAYS find the editor's name and send it directly to them. If the magazine or publication doesn't say the editor's name, call or email and find out. If they ask why, tell them the truth, you want to submit it and for that purpose you want it sent to them. Use "fiction editor" ONLY if you can't find the editor's name no matter what.

The first paragraph is short, but there are a few things we can fix. Number one, if your story is 3,050 words long, just say it's 3,000. It looks better, and unless they are really tight up about the exact word count, they will like it better. Also, in case AGNI, don't say you want it in their magazine. Unless the editor is senile, s/he will know where they are working. Saying the SASE is enclosed is not required, but there is nothing wrong saying that.

However, with the first paragraph, there is something you should add. Tell them that you are a long time reader. That way they know you are interested in the type of stories published, and know for a fact that your story meshes in with those they look for. Don't lie, but at the very least you should check out their publication to ensure you want your story published there.

Next, you do want to describe your story as I have. However, you want to shorten the description to one paragraph. Remember, the editor is your first reader, and while some may not care about your description, most will. Keep it short, and make it so they want to read. Don't lay everything out, like I did in the sample, but get them interested. Tell them just enough so they want to look over your story and give it a chance.

Last paragraph. While saying you have a BA may improve your chances, because it makes it look like you know what you are doing, unless you are part of a prestigious college/university (Yale for example) there is no reason to say what college you are from. While there is nothing wrong with saying you graduated from Montclair University (as in my example) it probably won't do anything for you.

Also, unless you have publishing experience, don't both saying how long you have written. To the discerning publisher, it may look as if I have failed any attempt at publishing for six years. In reality, with my case, I have written since eight grade and included those years, thinking initially it would impress an editor. Again, only include publishing experience. It will lend credit to your story, as well as make the editor aware that you know about the publishing world.

With these corrections, your cover letter should be more than adequate for the publication you are sending it off to. Good luck, and I hope your story gets published soon.