Crafting Compelling Cover Letters: A Literary Magazine Editor’s Insider Guide

Crafting Your Cover Letter

Breaking it Down

Table: Elements of an Effective Cover Letter

Element	What to Include	Why It Matters
Greeting	Address the editor by name if possible.	Shows respect and personalization, making your letter feel more directed and thoughtful.
Introduction	Briefly introduce yourself and your submission. Mention the title, genre, and word count.	Provides essential information at a glance. Helps the editor quickly understand what you’re submitting.
Personal Connection	Mention a recent piece from the magazine that resonated with you or how your work aligns with the magazine’s mission.	Demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and shows how your submission fits with the magazine’s ethos.
Summary of Work	Give a brief overview of your piece. Include key themes or ideas.	There is no need to explain the piece in any way—no spoilers. Let the surprise happen in the work itself.
Publication Credits	List relevant publications or awards, but keep these to only relevant, creative writing publications. And take an honest look at your credentials.	Provides context on your experience and can give a boost if you have notable credits. If you’re new, emphasize enthusiasm.
Personal Touch	Include a brief, relevant personal detail.	Adds a human element and makes your submission memorable. Avoid unnecessary humor unless you’re confident in it.
Closing	Thank the editor for their time and consideration.	Shows appreciation and professionalism. Reiterates your hope that your work will be well received.
Sign-Off	Use a professional sign-off and include your contact information.	Ensures the editor can reach you if needed. Shows professionalism.

Elements of an Effective Cover Letter

Greeting

Address the editor by name, if possible, or acknowledge multiple editors to show you’re familiar with the publication. This demonstrates respect and personalization, making your letter more directed and thoughtful. It shows that you know where you’re submitting your work. Many submissions arrive where it’s clear the writer has no idea who we are or what we do—they’re just sending their writing everywhere without much thought. If you can address the editor by name, do so. At Room, we rotate editors, and you might be submitting for a specific issue with a particular editor. We provide that information on our current submission page on Submittable so you can address that editor specifically.

Introduction

After the greeting, briefly introduce yourself and your submission. Mention the title, genre, and word count. This provides essential information at a glance, helping the editor quickly understand what you’re submitting. Keep it brief. You might include a relevant geographic detail or a small, pertinent fact about yourself, but keep it minimal.

Personal Connection

Show a personal connection by mentioning a recent piece from the magazine that resonated with you or how your work aligns with the magazine’s mission. This demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and shows how your submission fits the magazine’s ethos. Make sure this connection feels genuine. If you’re submitting because you loved a particular piece, mention it. There’s no need to show off literary analysis skills—simply saying, “I particularly enjoyed this piece in that issue” is sufficient.

Summary of Your Work

Provide a brief overview of your piece without going into too much detail. Include some key themes or ideas, but let the writing do most of the work. Avoid describing the piece extensively or spoiling it. Remember, we are committed to reading your work, so you don’t need to convince us. As an editor once told me, “I’m committed to reading the work. You don’t need to convince me. That’s my job.”

Publication Credits

List relevant publications or awards focusing on creative writing. Take an honest look at your credentials. If you have notable literary credits, include them. If you’re new, emphasize your enthusiasm and familiarity with the magazine. You might say, “I’ve been reading this lit mag for years and would love for this to be my first publication.”

Personal Touch

Include a brief, relevant personal detail to add a human element and make your submission more memorable. Avoid unnecessary humour unless you’re confident in it. Keep it short and relevant. If the piece is about motherhood, you could mention that you’re a parent—but you don’t have to. The writing can speak for itself. If you have a relevant personal detail that warms up the letter, include it.

Closing

Thank the editor for their time and consideration. Show appreciation and professionalism, and reiterate your hope that your work will be well-received. This acknowledgment helps the editor who’s up late after putting the kids to bed and reading submissions.

Sign-off and Contact Information

Use a professional sign-off and include your contact information. This ensures the editor can reach you if needed and demonstrates professionalism. Be mindful of updating your contact information. Sometimes, people fill in forms on automatic submission systems and forget to update their contact details.

A cautionary tale

Here’s an unfortunate story about one writer whose work I selected to publish in the Ghosts issue I edited at Room. The writer hadn’t updated their new email address on their Submittable account, and they hadn’t included contact information or a cover letter. Alas, despite sending a postcard and attempting to contact this writer via social media, we never reached this writer in time. We finally heard back about the postcard, but it was too late. By then, I had to choose a replacement. (Room has a specific production schedule, and we had to get things to the printer at a set time, leaving little flexibility.) So, ensuring you include updated contact information is crucial! Double-check each submission to make sure you’ve provided the correct details. So, that is my detailed breakdown of all the elements of an effective cover letter.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Don’t be these writers in your cover letter

The Oversharer Avoid providing excessive background information or details about your manuscript. Keep the focus on the essential elements and avoid lengthy explanations. We will read your writing. We’re committed to this. No need to sell it here. Example of Excessive Detail: “This story was inspired by my recent trip to Europe, where I encountered various cultural nuances that influenced my narrative.” Choose Facts Instead: “Enclosed is my story, ‘A European Summer,’ which is 3,200 words long.” The Explainer Don’t use the cover letter to explain your manuscript’s themes or plot in detail. The editor will read the manuscript for that information. Again, no need to sell it to us. If you have to explain it, this points to a weakness in the writing. Example of Over-Explanation: “My story explores themes of loss and redemption through the journey of a young woman who…” Instead: “Attached is my short story, ‘The Forgotten Garden,’ which is 5,000 words long.” The Name-Dropper: Avoid excessive name-dropping or boasting about previous publications. Present your achievements concisely and relevantly. If you’ve worked with notable literary figures or colleagues, mention these connections—but do so subtly and purposefully. (Remember, it’s impressive that you know these people, but let the connections speak for themselves.) Example of Excessive Name-Dropping: “I have worked with many renowned authors, and my work has been featured in several high-profile magazines.” Instead: “My work has been published in The New Yorker and The Kenyon Review.” Here’s an example that follows my template and avoids the cover-letter pitfalls:

Dear [Editor’s Name],

I hope this finds you well. I’m writing to submit my [genre] piece, “[Title]” ([word count]) for consideration in [Magazine Name].

I was particularly moved by [specific piece] in your recent issue, and enjoyed [describe theme/style].

My work has appeared in [relevant publications], and I received [any significant awards]. When I’m not writing, I [brief, relevant personal detail].

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

 

Bio: Your Literary Business Card

As you finish up your cover letter, you may also include a bio. It’s a good practice to include this even if they don’t ask for one yet. If they do ask for one, be sure to follow their guidelines.

The first thing to note about your bio is that the audience for this is different again. While it’s included as part of your submission package, it is not written specifically for the editor or first-reader.

Your bio is a piece of persuasive writing to promote yourself, more akin to advertising copy. Crafting an effective bio involves strategic thinking about your goals and your audience.

Tailoring Your Bio to Your Goal

Finding an Agent

If your goal is to secure a literary agent, your bio should reflect that. Here’s what to include:

Manuscript Information: Mention that you have a manuscript ready and provide details if relevant. For example, “Her debut novel, The Midnight Garden, is currently seeking representation.”

Contact Information: Make it easy for agents to reach you. A professional website with a contact form is ideal.

Example Bio for Agent Query: Jane Doe is the author of The Midnight Garden, a historical novel set in 19th-century London. Her short stories have appeared in [Publication Names]. Jane currently seeks representation for her novel and can be reached via her website [Your Website URL].

Promoting a Book

When promoting a book, emphasize your publication details:

Book Description: Include a brief, engaging summary of your book to intrigue potential readers. Example: “Her latest book, Whispers in the Wind, combines mystery and romance in a riveting tale of love and betrayal.”

Example Bio for Book Promotion: Emily Johnson is the author of Whispers in the Wind, a gripping tale of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of a picturesque coastal town. When not writing, Emily enjoys hiking and exploring local history. Follow her on SocialMedia @emilyjohnsonwrites for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Establishing Your Expertise

If you’re positioning yourself as an expert in a specific field, highlight your credentials:

Relevant Experience: Focus on your qualifications and experiences that make you an authority in your field. Example: “With over a decade of experience in environmental science, she has published numerous articles and speaks regularly at industry conferences.”

Example Bio for Expertise: Dr. Laura is a leading environmental scientist with over ten years of experience in climate research. She recently spoke at the International Conference on Climate Change.

Connecting with Readers

If you’re a writer just starting out and want to connect with readers, you can focus on your writing interests, current projects, and any relevant background supporting your work. Here’s some of what you might include:

Example bio for connecting with readers: Alex Rivera is currently working on a short story collection that blends themes of love, identity, and the surreal. When not writing, Alex enjoys reading contemporary fiction and conversations about creativity on social media. Follow them @alexriverawrites for updates and insights into their creative process.

Second example bio for connecting with readers: Taylor Morgan is crafting a collection of narrative essays exploring parenting and everyday life. When not writing, Taylor indulges in collecting vintage typewriters. Follow @taylormorganwrites for updates on their essays and parenting insights, as well as peeks into the life of her cat, Salad.

Tips for Crafting Your Bio

Be Concise: Keep it brief and to the point. Aim for a few sentences that capture your essential qualifications or accomplishments.

Highlight Achievements: Focus on your notable achievements or experiences relevant to your goals. Avoid unnecessary details or overloading with personal information.

Tailor to Your Audience: Adapt your bio to fit the context of where it will be published or shared. Different goals require different focuses.

Professional Tone: Maintain a professional tone, but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. This helps create a memorable and relatable impression.

Your Bio as a Powerful Tool

Your bio is more than a summary of accomplishments—it’s a strategic tool that opens doors and creates opportunities. By tailoring it to your specific goals and audience, you effectively showcase your unique value as a writer or expert and foster desired connections. Remember, your bio is a living document. As your career evolves, update it regularly to reflect your latest achievements and aspirations. A well-crafted bio isn’t just an introduction; it’s an invitation for others to engage with your work and story. Whether you’re seeking an agent, promoting your latest book, or establishing yourself as an expert, your bio can unlock new possibilities.

Tailoring your bio to fit the context of where it will be published or shared is crucial. Different goals require different focuses. While maintaining a professional tone is important, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. This is an opportunity to be a bit more playful or clever than in a cover letter, which helps create a memorable and relatable impression. However, be cautious if humour isn’t your strong suit. If you’re not consistently told you’re funny, it’s best to avoid forced humour in your bio. I’ve learned over the years that I’m more earnest than funny. (My family might find my pun-based humour amusing, but that’s where it ends!) Instead, embrace authenticity in your bio rather than forcing a tone that doesn’t fit you.

But…while it’s crucial to invest time in crafting your bio, don’t let it overshadow your writing. Instead, create a solid version you can adjust based on shifts in your audience or new opportunities.

Wrapping Up: Cover Letter and Bio

Keep your cover letter concise and engaging, and ensure your bio aligns with your submission goals. By doing so, you’ll increase your chances of having your words read by your unique audience.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s nearly 11 p.m., and this editor needs her restorative rest. But who knows? Perhaps your submission will be the one that keeps me up past my bedtime—in the best possible way. (I can always nap tomorrow.)