How to Write a Cover Letter That Won’t Kill You

Original image by Vickie Intili

Most literary journals ask for a “cover letter” to go with their submissions. This, of course, sends many writers into an anxious frenzy. What should the cover letter say? Should it talk about the meaning of the piece submitted? Should it include a bio? What does it all mean?? 

As usual, we’re overthinking it. Cover letters to accompany literary journal submissions are simple. Title of the piece, word count, and if it’s a simultaneous submission is all that is required. Most editors actually prefer you not to include any information about the piece itself, if submitting to a literary journal, which is very different than when pitching an editor for a magazine or other service outlet. But if you have a relationship with the journal editor, or have received personalized submission responses before, you can include that information in the letter. 

Here are some examples from cover letters I have personally used on pieces that have since been accepted for publication. 

This is a basic cover letter for a literary journal submission. I was such a babe in the woods, I didn’t have any bylines to my name yet. And you know what? This long-ass story got accepted to Carolina Quarterly, no-name bio and all. 

Here it is: 

To [insert actual editor’s name],

Please find attached my story, 'Formation.' The length is about 7,500 words. This is a simultaneous submission; I will notify you immediately if this piece is accepted elsewhere.

Thank you,

Lisa Bubert

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See? Short, sweet, and yes, this one landed an acceptance. It truly is about the quality of your work, not your bio. Now let’s expand on this template to include some unique situations. 

Sometimes you have a story where who you are or what you do for a living is key to showing that you know what you’re talking about. You can include that in the cover letter, but keep it brief. Editors are busy people who want the story in the actual story, not the cover letter.

Here’s a basic cover letter that includes some biographical information specific to the story I submitted. The story was set on a ranch in South Texas with an old, angry cowboy as the main character. I am very familiar with old, angry cowboys from South Texas ranches. Here’s how I included it in the cover letter:

To [insert actual editor’s name],

Please find attached my story "Strange Birds". Total word count is about 5,100 words. The setting takes place on a South Texas ranch, much like the one I was raised on.

Thank you in advance for reading my work. This is a simultaneous submission; I will notify you immediately if this piece is accepted elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Lisa Bubert

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The rule of thumb is to not explain your work in the cover letter. But if you have a really good hook, you can certainly include that. Notice, I said “hook,” not “hook, line and sinker.” If you can’t boil the premise down to one sentence or even a half-sentence like I did here, just don’t include it. Again, when it comes to literary journals, the work always speak for itself. 

Here’s a basic cover letter that includes a story hook:

To [insert actual editor’s name],

Please find attached my story "The Coma," about a divorcee who thinks she might be dead. It totals 5,500 words. This is a simultaneous submission but I will be sure to notify you should it be accepted elsewhere.

Thank you,

Lisa Bubert

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Maybe you have a piece that has received accolades elsewhere (usually a contest placement, definitely not the accolade of “My critique group/mom loved it!”) but is still unpublished. Heck yes, you should toot your own dang horn! Here’s how to do it with style:

To [insert actual editor’s name],

Please find attached my story 'Woman Hollering,’ about a young woman who is being followed by the ghost of La Llorona after experiencing sexual assault. It totals 7,150 words. It was recently selected as a top ten finalist in the Colorado Review's Nelligan Prize for Short Fiction. This is a simultaneous submission but I will be sure to notify you should it be accepted elsewhere.

Thank you,

Lisa Bubert

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Are you sensing a pattern here? Keep it short, keep it sweet, keep it brief and to just the facts, ma’am. But again, if you’re submitting to literary journals, most editors only read the cover letter after they’ve read your submission—if they get that far. The work must always, always be your best work if you’re going to submit it. No amount of accolades and platitudes and impressive bios can stand in for solid, well-written work. 

Now I don’t want to hear any more crying about cover letters. Y’all been told.