Cover letter for a literary submission (6 samples)
By
OptimistMinds
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
Author bio
The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
This blog post will show samples of “cover letters for a literary submission.”
Examples of literary journal submission cover letters
When submitting your short-form literature to a magazine or journal, your cover letter is often the first piece of writing an editor sees. When writing a literary submission cover letter, these are some of the essential things to include in your letter:
- Address the recipient with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).”
- Write a brief statement including the title and length of what you’re submitting. Introduce yourself and work.
- Include biographical information in your cover letter. You can include two or three previous publications if you have them.
- Show appreciation and Include a polite sign-off.
Sample 1: “Literary submission cover letter”
“Dear Elise,
Please consider this 1,457-word short fiction piece, “Summer.” I recently participated in the 2 Elizabeths Open Mic Night, and am an avid reader of the fiction and poetry that you publish.
“Summer” is a fictitious tale inspired by the impact of a whirlwind, yet meaningful, romance I experienced last year. In this story, I gently explore the life lessons associated with young love, with a touch of humor.
This is a simultaneous submission, and I will notify you if the piece is accepted elsewhere.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kindest Regards,
John Doe”
Sample 2: “Literary submission cover letter”
“Dear Fiction Attic Press,
Thank you for considering my work. I am an emerging writer with only a small scattering of published pieces. I appreciate all the time and attention my work receives. I look forward to hearing from you.
This is a simultaneous submission. I will withdraw the piece immediately if it is accepted elsewhere.
I am a writer and graduate student in the MA English program at *** University. My work has been published in *** and ***, and is forthcoming in ***. I live in *** with my fiancée, Jane.
Sincerely,
Joe Writer”
Sample 3: “Literary submission cover letter”
“Dear Peter LaBerge, Garrett Biggs, Heidi Seaborn, and Adroit readers,1
Please consider my poem, “No Regrets.”2 I’ve been a long-time fan of Adroit, and I particularly enjoyed Jennifer Tseng’s “First Son” from Issue 27.3
This is a simultaneous submission. If “No Regrets” is accepted elsewhere, I will withdraw it immediately.4
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.5
Sincerely,
Peter Rabbit”
Sample 4: “Literary submission cover letter”
“Dear Ms. Reynolds,
Submitted for your consideration is “The Misfits of Greenwood,” a short story. HaHa Magazine is a publication that values humor, an element I hope you enjoy in this story.
I have studied creative writing as an undergraduate at Fancy University and at Continuing Education Workshop, where my fiction won the New Writer’s Award.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Holly Writer”
Sample 5: “Literary submission cover letter”
“To Whom It May Concern:
I am a poet based in New York, and I write to offer two poems—“Forgotten Items” and “Step-by-Step”—for submission in Harper’s Magazine. I am a regular reader of the magazine, and it would be a tremendous honor to have my poetry published within its pages.
I began writing poetry as a teenager and have contributed a number of poems to literary journals including the Dayton Quarterly and Kenyon Review. I also have a self-published poetry collection that was issued in 2018 and received top reviews in several alternative weeklies. You can access my poetry online at my personal website.
If you review my submissions and consider them among the best poems you’ve received for your upcoming issue, I hope you will see it fit to include them in the magazine. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Your Name”
Sample 6: “Literary submission cover letter”
“Dear Editors,
I hope this message finds you well. I’ve enclosed three of my poems, which are respectively titled “Self Portrait as Lemon,” “Finding a Spring in the Ground” and “Leaves of Blue” in this submission. I hope you will consider these pieces for publication in the upcoming issue of TreeHouse Literary Magazine.
I’ve also included a short biography below that outlines my experiences as a writer and my recent publications. I’m excited about the prospect of working with your editorial team and I appreciate your consideration of my work. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Kate Feinstein
www.katefeinsten.com
kfeinsten@email.com
(555) 485-2039
Kate Feinstein is a poet and educator from Tacoma, Washington, who writes about the experiences of women in the Pacific Northwest. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Berring University and a BA in English from Hart College. Kate is the recipient of the 2021 Monaghan Fellowship and the 2020 Felix Jung Award from the U.S. Poetry Association. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in outlets like The Carolina, Midwest Magazine, Pomegranate Literary, Greenhouse and MINT Magazine.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Examples of literary submission cover letters
Do freshers need a cover letter?
Yes. If you’re a fresher looking to start a job in your specific industry, a well-written cover letter helps grab the attention of job recruiters and hiring managers.
How do you begin a cover letter?
The Most Effective Strategies to Start a Cover Letter
- Start With an Accomplishment.
- Inform the Company of What You Can Offer Them.
- Show That You Love the Company.
- Name-Drop by Saying You Know Someone Relevant.
If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.
Citations
