Cover Letters: What they are and how to write one

You have written and polished your story, and you know where you want to submit it. Now what? You need a cover letter before you officially submit any of your short creative work. 

Today, we are going to cover everything you need to know, so you can write that next killer cover letter and see your first acceptance! While they seem daunting initially, you can write your first cover letter in under 10 minutes. They are super simple! 

What are cover letters? 

No, they are not the sort of letter you write for a job application. Cover letters for short stories are brief, informative letters to the reader or editor (whoever will be reading your manuscript) that provide basic info about your story. This is not to be confused with a query letter. Please check out our other post on query letters if you are interested in learning more. 

Cover letters are for the benefit of the magazine or journal so they can get a sense of the story and the author behind it before they start reading. While it’s good to make a strong impression with your cover letter, remember that your manuscript is the real star and will be the primary focus for any editor or reader in determining if they accept or reject your submission. 

What to Know: 

Do you research! Before you submit, know the magazine or journal’s guidelines on word count, genre (which you should already know if you are at the step of drafting a cover letter for submission), if they accept simultaneous submissions, etc. Always follow the directions on the magazine or journal’s website, outlining what they want you to include in the letter. While each differs a bit, they will all have a similar format. 

1. Editor’s name (if you can find it) and brief greeting 

2. Word count rounded to the nearest hundred 

3. Title of the short-form piece 

4. The genre 

5. Short description of the piece 

6. Your credentials, if applicable 

7. Whether it's a simultaneous submission 

Strange Horizons has some great cover letter examples on its website and tips for writing your own. 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

If you’ve properly done your research, you should know if they accept simultaneous submissions, which just means if they allow you to submit your piece to more than one place at a time. Check their legal terms as well. Most magazines will claim first rights or the right to publish your written work first, with the terms expiring after a set time. Sometimes they add (first) electronic or audio rights. Watch out for any legal language that says “in perpetuity.” This means they retain exclusive rights to your work forever! You don’t want that! If you see that, don’t submit! Additionally, in your cover letter, clarify that your short story submission is original. This makes it clear it’s not fan fiction or generative AI. 

For example: Please consider my original short story, “TITLE,” for consideration… 

Now that you understand the bare bones of a cover letter for submission, it’s time to write your own! Once you get the hang of it, they’re easy. Don’t overthink it, but you still want to ensure it’s free of grammatical errors. 

Good luck, and you got this!

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About the author: Meg Rady is currently a senior at Emerson College pursuing a BFA in creative writing and minoring in publishing. She loves to read anything fantasy and YA, and when she isn't reading or writing, you can find her playing video games, watching anime, or listening to Kpop.