sample cover letter for poetry submission

When You Write

How to Write a Poetry Submission Cover Letter

The best publishing option for a collection of poems is to submit it to literary magazines or poetry publishing houses.

But getting your poetry collection accepted by a reputable poetry publication isn’t a slide; you have to write awesome poetry and have to abide by the submission guidelines.

Major poetry publications have specific submission processes that are a bit similar and, in most cases, the cover letter is going to be addressed to the publisher’s poetry editor. You need a good cover letter that will impress the editor and increase the chances of your poetry being published.

You need to know what you’re doing and understand that you don’t need an insanely creative, impressive cover letter. What you need is a brief letter that sets up the editor for the submission. Cover letters on their own won’t get your poems accepted; however, they can easily get them rejected.

So, how can you write a perfect cover letter for a poetry submission? Read on to find out how.

What is a Cover Letter for Submitting a Poem?

When you submit your poems to a publishing house , literary magazine, or poetry contest, you’re required to submit your poetry with a cover letter that comes with some details about the poems submitted and the author (that’s you!).

The publishers often have varying formats, but basically, cover letters have a format that includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

As I already stated, the cover letter is brief but it is very important because the editorial team does make decisions (including whether to publish your poetry or not) based on that small piece of writing. If it weren’t that important, it wouldn’t be the document that editors always read first before going into your poems.

Why Do They Need It?

There are lots of things that a cover letter contains that may aid the decision-making process of the editor or contest organizer.

If it’s a submission from a non-native English speaker, a cover letter may reveal this and the editor can take into consideration the difficulties that such a writer may face writing in a foreign language. The submission might come from a child and that may require the editor to engage the writer’s parents or legal guardian to co-sign the publishing contract.

A cover letter contains more information than those two, and such information makes it easier for an editor to do their job.

What a Good Cover Letter Should Have

A concise introduction.

The whole cover has to be concise and gets to the point as quickly as possible. This is one of the secrets of writing a good cover lever for a poetry submission; you put a huge stamp in a very brief letter.

That’s hard and easy, at the same time. The editor will probably have to read hundreds of poetry submissions, so you must craft a cover letter that shows respect for the editor’s time and editorial duties.

A Courteous Tone

A good cover addresses the editors/publication by name and has a nice tone. You don’t want to leave a bad first impression by sending a cover letter that comes off as a copied and pasted letter.

Right Context

When writing a cover letter , you have to consider the context. You have to remember that it’s a poetry submission, so you have to mention your credentials that have something to do with writing and nothing else (unless requested by the publication/editor). The guidelines also provide some sort of context; you have to follow them to the letter when writing your cover letter.

What Most Submissions Want In a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Although the contents of a cover letter may vary between submissions, your personal information is required in almost all submissions.

Editors go back to look at your cover letter and bio after reading your poems to match them. Here are some of the requirements for different cases:

Poetry Publication

• A list of the submitted poems’ titles.
• A short bio.
• Your recent publications or upcoming publications.

Poetry Retreats, Residencies, and Fellowships:

• A list of the submitted poems’ titles
• A short bio (below 100 words)
• 3-5 places where you’ve been published, or say you haven’t been published yet
• Aesthetics statement (your artistic influences and some context for your poems)
• A few words about your bio (what you do, where you work, and any work you do in the art community).

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

1. research and follow guidelines.

Before writing your cover letter (and, sometimes, before writing your poems), the first thing to do is research your target publication, contest, fellowship, etcetera. Every one of these institutions or organizers has specific guidelines, and submissions that fail to satisfy them are instantly thrown out.

2. Address the Organizers/Publishers by name

Addressing the Organizers/Publishers by name shows your professionalism and due courtesy.  Covers letters that achieve this are bound to face warm reception and that is a good start for your submission.

3. Link to your past work

If it’s your first submission, don’t worry, your work will speak for you. However, if you have a couple of published works to your name, link to your published work if the organizers allow or provide means of doing so.

Some organizers or publishers provide somewhere else for such links. Submitting using email is even better. You can attach copies of your published work along with the current poem submission.

4. Stay On Topic

I talked about respecting context when writing a cover letter, and this also touches on that. The cover has to contain the necessary info (publications, writing credentials, etc.), but it shouldn’t stray out of context and mention unrelated academic and personal referrals. It might be a good thing to tell the editor what you’ve learned, but it’s unwarranted in this case.

5. Skip Unnecessary Pleasantries

Addressing the editors directly is encouraged but don’t drop a ‘newbie alert’ on them by trying to be too nice.

They’re not your buddies and don’t waste their time—go straight to the matter at hand.

6. Provide Contact Information

Your submission should include contact information (i.e., your full name, email, phone number, et cetera) that may help the organizers to get in touch with you.

Poetry Cover Letter Example

Here’s an example of a brief but effective cover letter for a poetry submission. There are countless ways of writing and the form that a cover letter depends, to an appreciable extent, on the publisher’s preferences and guidelines.

This is just a sample, not a template that you can use for all your poetry submissions. But it’s a very good reference, in case you decide to use some parts of this sample.

Dear Editor, Please consider my three poems for publication in your journal, Poetry Mountain. The first poem ‘Milk way Love’ is a free verse that talks of one man’s undying love for a selfish woman. The other two, ‘Morning Dance’ and ‘Happy Horses’ are inspiring sonnets based on my auntie’s life story. I am a poet based in New York. I began writing poetry when I was 7 and have 30 published poems to my name. My poetry (none of which is among these 3 submissions) has previously been published in the Otter Voice, Talking Hills review, and the Mustard Poetry Journal. Thank you very much for your time and consideration . Sincerely Yours, Dennis Bergman

In this template, I briefly talked about the poems and slotted them in my succinct bio. You could write a longer cover letter but be economical with your words. If you add anything to a template like this one, it should be something requested by the publisher or something you’re convinced enhances the cover letter’s intentions.

Write A Great Cover Letter, Submit Delicious Poetry

The cover won’t get your poems accepted and published—the quality of your poems will.

If you want to write poems about beauty , you have to ensure that your writing is evocative and thought-provoking. So before writing your cover letter, you have to ensure that your poetry is ‘on point.’

Some well-established editors give the cover letters to their assistants while they savor your poems. In this case, you have to write poems that match the quality of your cover letter.

In most cases though, editors look at your cover letter before reading your poems, you cannot mess up. You have to satisfy the publisher’s guidelines before you start thinking about how creative you’re going to be with your cover letter.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for A Poetry Submission

Cover letters are the resumes of the literary world. They offer a brief introduction of your writing career while also providing a pitch to the editor about why your submission is the best fit for the magazine, journal, or press. 

When writing a cover letter, it’s important to think about your audience: the editor. They will be searching through hundreds—if not thousands—of submissions, and in the words of Aladdin: They will be looking for the “diamonds in the rough.” Depending on the size and staff of the magazine or press as well as how prestigious and reputable it is, the submission process will take them months to complete, so keeping the cover letter short, concise, and informative will ensure that your letter is considered and that it makes an impression with the editor. 

Here are the steps to writing a strong cover letter that you can use as a template for any cover letter you need in your writing career. 

Provide your contact information

At the upper left-hand corner of your document, type your residential address, your phone number, and your email. Make sure you check that it is accurate because, for magazines that don’t use Submittable , your contact information is the only way they can reach you. 

Write the greeting and body

First, begin with the date. Next, write the salutation to the magazine, press, or publishing company. You can also address the poetry editor to personalize the greeting. Look at this template as an example of how to format it. 

The next step is to write the body of the letter. In the above example, you’ll notice he mentions the names of his poems as well as previous poets the magazine has published. This proves to the magazine that you are an avid reader of their work. This isn’t necessary to include, but it does get you bonus points with the editor. 

Depending on their guidelines, you might want to mention how many poems you’re sending. You can also mention that you are sending this to other publications and will alert them if it’s published anywhere else: This is an expectation every publication has for poets who are submitting simultaneously . Most magazines accept simultaneous submissions, but some don’t. 

After this first paragraph, include a short biography in the second paragraph. This bio should be around five sentences. A short bio is better than a longer one due to the volume of submissions they receive. If they want a longer bio, they’ll let you know when they accept your work.   

Also, for the bio, highlight your best-published work and major awards or prizes. If you haven’t received any yet, don’t worry about it: When a magazine is truly interested in your poetry, your work is the most important thing: not the cover letter. 

Write the closing

Last but not least, close the letter with: “Thank you for considering my work. I look forward to hearing from you soon.” Then include your name at the end. 

Overall, you just need three paragraphs for a typical cover letter. However, to submit your poetry book to literary presses, you’ll want to tailor the letter and make it longer, so you can give a synopsis of the work. In general, it’s usually best to keep the cover letter a page long. For large publishing companies such as Andrews McMeel Publishing , you’ll want to write a pitch or proposal rather than a cover letter. 

Provide exactly what they want

Before you send out your letter, make sure you double-check the submission guidelines and then make a checklist of everything you need, or just scan the letter to make sure you provided exactly what they asked for. Sometimes your submission could be discarded just because you didn’t fulfill the requirements. For example, some literary presses want to “judge blindly,” which basically means they want to give judges the manuscripts and poems without any contact information or names of the poets. This ensures the submission process is fair, and that there are no biases based on gender, publication history, or many other factors that can cloud an editor or judge’s decision. 

Tips to consider for literary magazines

Some literary magazines or presses care about credentials and past publication history. They want established poets rather than novice and up-and-coming poets, so for these magazines, a well-crafted cover letter can make a difference in receiving an acceptance rather than a rejection. 

Thankfully, the majority of literary magazines are not concerned about past publication history: They are just interested in stellar literary work, so your chances of getting published are high even if you don’t have a history of publication credits. However, once they choose the best work, and they have their editorial meetings and are debating whose work will be printed, it’s possible they will consider your publication career, and that’s where they will take into consideration your cover letter. 

I was the editor-in-chief for the literary magazine of the program where I received my MFA in creative writing, and I never cared about whether the writer was well-known or unknown: I just cared about the work, so let me assure you that if you send your poetry to a small literary magazine, your chances of being published increase. Most students of graduate and undergraduate literary presses and magazines are just looking for the best poetry and prose. 

The purpose of submitting is to get your beautiful poetry into the hands of readers. No matter how large or how small the audience, sharing your work with the world is the reward and the joy of being published. 

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How to write a cover letter for poetry submissions, plus a downloadable template.

If you are looking to submit your poetry for publication, you may come across a request for a cover letter.

A cover letter’s main purpose is to give context for your poetry. You will want to explain why you are writing, and what you are submitting.

WHY You’re Writing

It may seem obvious that you are submitting your poetry in the hopes of getting published. But it is essential that you still state the obvious.

State why you are writing— “I am writing for your consideration of my poetry for publication in your literary magazine”. Easy Peasy.

WHAT You’re Submitting

Make sure then, to include the titles of the poems you are submitting, in quotations. And also reference the publication you are submitting to, the title of the publication in italics.

But that is not nearly enough information, so we will want to include a few more things.

Include your contact information and relevant social media accounts, especially if you have a significant following

Reference or link your other published works (if you have none, not to worry, this doesn’t necessarily count against you)

Give a little context for you, as a poet. Have you studied poetry? Who is your favorite poet? Is there a form that you particularly enjoy? Do your views align with the publication you are submitting to?

The cover letter requires a little bit of research as well. It will behoove you to read past issues of the publication and reference what you enjoyed reading. Nothing is more flattering than talking to a fan, so become a fan.

On the flip side, you must remember that you are asking someone to take time to read and consider your work. The least you can do is read their work, and as the Editor the publication *is* their work.

These are the essential steps to writing your cover letter. But here are a few other things to keep in mind…

Less is More

Keep it relevant

Address the Editor Directly if possible. A name is always better than, To Whom it May Concern. With a little research, it should not be difficult to figure out who the editor is.

Be Respectful & Humble*

* I say be humble with the utmost trepidation. So I will define it here: Be Humble in Deference to the Editor. Not in regards to your own achievements. Do you see the difference? Acknowledging the prestige and “rank” of the editor does not mean that you have to downplay yourself.

Still need help? Not to worry! Click here for a simple template to help you write your cover letter.

Now tell me below in the comments, what is the thing that makes you the most nervous when submitting your work?

Leave a comment

Further Reading:

How to Write a 50-Word Author Bio

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission , Masterclass

Sample Letters for Poetry Submissions , Writer’s Digest

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Ready to submit your poems for publication? Write a strong cover letter to introduce yourself and your work and give one more reason for editors to choose you.

A cover letter is part and parcel of poetry submission as each poet needs an introduction and a few words of their bio and creative method. A cover letter is a resume in the literary world that can vary from two brief paragraphs to a couple of pages, depending on the requirements and guidelines. In this article, we’ll cover everything from small details, like fonts and length of a cover letter, to broader topics, like content and do’s and don'ts of a poetry submission cover letter.

What is a Cover Letter for Submitting a Poem?

Any literary magazine, anthology, poetry competition, or poetry fellowship requires poets to submit their work plus a cover letter with some details about the poems submitted and the author themselves. Although a cover letter format is generally similar (introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion), the length and other elements may vary depending on its purpose.

You can rest assured that an editorial office makes any publication-related decisions based on your poetry. The poetry is always read first. However, later in the selection process, when deciding which to choose and which to reject, cover letters become the critical tiebreaker.

Typically, cover letters for publication will make do with just 30 words while applications for poetry retreat, poetry residency, or a job will require 1 to 2.5 pages. Submission requirements contain all the information regarding the format of a cover letter.

What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

It is important to include your personal information along with all information required by the organization’s descriptions. In almost all cases, poetry reading before publication is blind. Therefore, editorial assistants will later need to quickly match poems with the author’s cover letter and bio.

• List your submitted poems’ titles;
• Professional bio (30-75 word) (optional);
• 3-5 places where you’ve been published, or say you will be published (optional).
• Professional bio (30-75 word);
• 3-5 places where you’ve been published, or say you haven’t been published yet;
• Aesthetics statement (your artistic influences and some context for your poems)
• A few words about your personal bio (what you do, where you work, and any work you do in the art community).

Writing a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

Even if you know nothing of writing poetry cover letters, it is common sense to stick to a business letter format. What you must remember at all times, though, is to start your cover letter by reading the submission instruction first. Read the organization’s submission requirements before you start writing, and after you proofread a piece several times. Make sure you include all of the specific information requested of you. After you have included it all, double-check the instructions again to see if you followed them correctly. In many cases, applicants find out that they missed an important part, or two, of the instructions.

Provide Your Contact Information. Many magazines, such as the Poetry Foundation , have stopped accepting paper submissions and invite poets to send their work via email. Although your email submission contains your email address, include all your contact information at the upper left-hand corner of your document to be on the safe side and ensure that a magazine or a journal can reach you. Nowadays, they don’t need to know your residential address. Normally, your valid email and working phone number are enough for any organization.

A sound piece of advice is to “include your name in the subject line so the editor can easily find your message in their inbox if they are looking for it again.”

Write a Greeting. Personalized greetings are favored over generic ones. ‘Dear Sirs’ is a big no-no. There’s no reason why an editor should be a man.

A good rule of thumb is to look for the current editor’s name on the organization’s website or Submittable page. If you cannot find the editor’s name, say ‘Dear editor’ or ‘Dear editors.’

Address All Requested Information in the Body Paragraphs. The guiding principle of writing body paragraphs in a poetry cover letter is brevity. Rely on the requirements but address each item on the list briefly and succinctly.

The staple element of all poetry cover letters is the content of a submission.

• If you include less than three pieces, add a short sentence for each poem. If your submission has more than four poems, try to come up with a common theme(s) and describe it in 2-3 sentences under 100 words.
• If you include your bio, do it briefly: “I am a poet from New Brunswick currently studying at New York University.”
• If you want or are asked to add a more extended biography, include your pronouns, your primary form of employment, your most significant awards, and your level of education/city of residence. Keep it under 100 words.
• If you include your publication history, 2 to 5 places are more than enough. If you have had multiple publications, pick the most impressive ones but don’t give them all.
• If you submit your poetry to other publications, mention it briefly, too.
• If you’re an avid reader of the magazine, you can mention a few poets or poems you like the most.

Close with Some Nice Words. It is ok to finish off on a dry, unimaginative note, like “Thank you for considering my work. I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.” However, you can add some vitality to your letter and make it more memorable. Tell them what you love the most about their organization. Thank them for their time. Try not to step over a fine line between familiarity and niceness and not to tumble down into rigidity and formality.

A Basic Template for a Poetry Cover Letter

[Your Name] [Your Postal Address] [Your E-mail Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Website or Social Media] [Name of Editor] [Job Title] [Journal/Magazine Title] [Department if applicable] [The date when you send the submission]

Dear [Name of Editor]: I’ve enclosed my poetry/fiction submission for publication in [Journal/Magazine Title]. Included are [Titles of Poems]. My work has appeared in [3-5 Titles of other publications], among others. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Short Professional Bio is written in the third person in case of publication] Enola Holmes was born in Hawaii and raised in Washington, D.C. After graduating from New York University, she became a self-taught poet. Holmes currently works as a freelance copywriter and volunteers as a vet in Soho, NY.

To expand on the template , ALWAYS read the description on the organization’s website, follow their instruction, and add what is required.

Sample Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

Sample 1: Here’s a cover letter for the submission of four poems with explicit instructions not to include a biography.

To the readers and editors of Poetry Foundation,

I write to offer my four poems for submission in Poetry Magazine. To elaborate, the poem ‘Japanese Nocturne’ refers to the mass destructive events of WWII. ‘Apples and Figs’ appeared as a response to a recent Trump political decision and the sense of alienation some people are experiencing now while ‘Dressed to Impress’ and ‘Hope’ touch on the theme of migration and globalization. I hope you enjoy the work, and thank you for considering my submission.

Sample 2: This cover letter also includes a short bio as required by the submission instruction.

I have included two poems – ‘Cat Forgotten’ and ‘Leaves on the Ground’ – from my recent manuscript. Both poems are connected by the theme of loneliness in the digital era and alienation in urban spaces. Among my current loves is Patrick Melbourne’s ‘Love Deterred’ and Felicia Jones’ ‘Given and Forgotten’ published in your magazine. If you accept my submission for publication, it would be an incredible honor for me. These poems have been submitted to another publication as well.

Bio: Enola Holmes (she/her) is a poet and multimedia artist. She was shortlisted for the 2019 National Book Foundation Award and is a finalist for the 2020 PEN/Hemingway Award for the poetry collection Silver Bells and Cockle Shells (Hawaii Publishing Books, 2019). Holmes has been awarded American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship in 2018 and Vermont Studio Center Residency in 2019. Her work has been published in Slate and Playboy. Holmes received a BA in Creative Writing from NYU.

Tips on Writing a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

You are probably aware that editors and editorial assistants read tons of applications and submissions daily. It means they have developed inevitable fatigue to trite and banal introductions and approaches. Therefore, you must follow the rules of cover letter writing, but at the same time, you need to try and infuse some vitality and freshness into these few simple paragraphs.

Here are the rules you must follow:

Always support your words with facts. Avoid describing your biography in banal phrases like “I have always loved poetry, and I cannot live without writing.” To stand out from the others, show your emotion and passion through facts. “After I read Langston Hughes for the first time I got infatuated with Harlem Renaissance, which resulted in a publication in Black Poetry titled ‘Born Again with a Retrograde Mercury.’”

Stay on topic. Although earlier, a cover letter was referred to as a resume of the literary world,’ it should not be as detailed as a formal resume. The exact number of earlier publications and/or awards is given for a reason. Don’t include exhaustive lists of all your awards and residencies. Add only the most impressive items.

Avoid small talk. You absolutely must skip any pleasantries if you believe they are part of common formalities. Editors do not expect you to entertain them. Rather, they appreciate if applicants are polite and to the point.

Control your tone. Respect is expressed not only through proper greetings, good grammar, and error-free writing. Show respect by not acting as if you submitted exceptional work that cannot help but be accepted. But also don’t act as if you expect your poems to be rejected! Neither overconfidence nor self-doubt will pay off.

Choose adequate fonts. Single-spaced, Arial or Times New Roman, 12 point is standard. Any smaller fonts are difficult to read. Any larger fonts are irritating.

Some technical details. If you submit your poetry online, insert your cover letter in the body of an email, and add your poems as a separate attachment (as a pdf-file or Word file) unless you are explicitly told to do otherwise.

Your Take-Away

We prepared this material to help you not to smudge the memorable impression your poetry made on editors. If you believe your poetry is strong enough to be published in a magazine or a journal, polishing your cover letter will seal the deal. Just follow the rules and give your cover letter a thorough read-through, double-checking all publication requirements. However, remember that getting published demands time and effort. It often takes publishers months to respond. Poets get rejected more often than not. So don’t get disheartened and keep submitting. Often poetry publication is a matter of taste of an editorial office. Eventually, all writers can find their publishers.

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How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter

We always get questions about cover letters and it’s only because of our work on both sides of the desk (poet and organizer) that we’ve began to understand this a little better. Yes, we work for The Watering Hole, but we have also worked for The South Carolina Review , Yemassee , among others. We’ve been through hundreds of cover letters. Hopefully, this will demystify them for you.

Cover letters change shape based on what you are applying for. Sometimes poetry submissions lay out exactly what they are looking for in a cover letter. Often they don’t. Always, check that organization’s guidelines.

In general for poetry retreats, residencies, and fellowships , the poetry is read first, then the editors make a shortlist of acceptances, after which the cover letters are read, and more cuts are made. However, for publication , the cover letters are only read a month after all acceptances have been made, when editorial assistants copy and paste bio information for the publication. Clearly, these need not be comprehensive. The poetry is most important. Check out these sample below. Note the “business letter” format, which we’ll discuss further at the end.

Cover letters can be anywhere from 30 words to 2.5 pages, depending on whether you are applying for publication (30 words to 1 page), retreat (up to 1 page), fellowship and residency (up to 2 pages), job (up to 2.5 pages), and so on.

Definites for Publication: You definitely need to end the cover letter with a list your submission poems’ titles. The cover letter’s primary function is to match the blind poems (which don’t name the author) with the author’s cover letter (which does name the author and all contact info). The editorial assistants separate these parts during reading and judging and need to be able to put them back together easily.

Optional for Publication: Optional elements to include for a publication cover letter would be a 30-75 word professional bio, and 3-5 places where you’ve been published. (Really? No more than 5? Yes. Really. Definitely. No flex zone. ) If you haven’t been published yet, feel free to say that. Journals jump at the chance to “discover” a hot new poet.

Definites for Other Programs: On the other hand, for retreats, fellowships, and residencies the cover letter is very important. This is helps determine who makes the short-shortlist. In addition to the information above, these cover letters would add a brief aesthetics statement of who’s influenced your art and what you seek to accomplish within your poems (to contextualize the poems in your submission); what you do; where you work; and any work you do in the arts community. The acceptance committee is trying to find out what kind of person you are, whether you work well with other artists on a regular basis, how your personality and personal goals jive with the retreat’s spirit and objectives, how you can enhance and be enhanced by that community of artists, whether there might be any issues that could disrupt the feelings of community (i.e. ego, belligerence towards equals, etc.), whether you are the best fit for their program. You have to tailor the letter to their interests and goals. As we mentioned before, always check the organizations requirements.

Sidenote for Longer Cover Letters: After having read a ton of these, in longer cover letters, everyone says the same thing. “I’ve been writing since x grade/year. Since my teacher read x poem, it’s been my passion. love love blah blah blah. I write for love, expression, revolution. I couldn’t breathe. Writing is my air.” Everybody has this story. Cut it. Don’t tell your passion: give evidence of it. Think about what would be the best evidence in a court of law. Think FACTS=PASSION. Think FACTS=CHARM. “Since 2014, I have participated in a small livingroom reading group, which led to my interest in Afrofuturism. That has resulted in a publication in Pluck titled ‘Superwoman gives up tights.’” This method will help you say something that is unique to you and will therefore make you stand out.

Definites for Everyone: Finally, pay close attention to following the “business letter” format, even for e-mailed submissions—your name and address, e-mail, phone, their name and address, e-mail, phone, date, Dear Name of Actual Person In Charge, letter, Sincerely, your name and brief list of 1-3 resume affiliations/titles. A little bit of professionalism goes a long way.

If you are applying to our ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSIONS , the deadline is March 31, 2015. Since we are a budding grassroots organization, we don’t have a street address just yet, so don’t worry about that part of the cover letter you write for us.

Anyway, I hope this provides some clarity. I’ve included a sample below. Feel free to steal it. Good luck, poets! Hit us if you have any questions.

P.S. Don’t play with the font. Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point is standard. The smallest you can go is 11.5. Any smaller than that and people over the age of 50 get angry. And  never put poems in the body of an e-mail. Always attach them as a Word document, unless you are told specifically to do otherwise.

Sample Publication Cover Letter:

[Your Name] [Your Street Addy] [Your Town, State, Zip] [Your E-mail Addy] [Your Phone Number] [Your website if you have one]

[Name of Editor] <—-You want the editor or poetry editor [Job Title] [Journal/Magazine Title] [Department if applicable] [Their Street Addy] [Their Town, State, Zip] [Their Country if outside of the U.S.]

March 1, 2015 <—-This should be the date that you send the submission

Dear [Name of Editor]:

I’ve enclosed my [fiction/nonfiction/poetry] submission for publication in [Journal/Magazine Title]. Included are [Titles of Poems]. My work has appeared in [3-5 Titles of other publications] among others . [*If submitting via mail] I’ve included an SASE for [response only/the return of my manuscript].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Name] [Your Title if applicable] [1-3 affiliated organizations or universities]

[Short Professional Bio written in the third person in case of publication] Ex. Jane Smith was born and raised in Camden, S.C. After graduating from Hilman College, she has studied poetry at VONA, Breadloaf, and The Watering Hole. Muffet currently works as an insurance agent and hosts open mic nights in Memphis, T.N.

^ ^ ^ If you choose to integrate this bio into the body of your letter (instead of the postscript), use the first person I.

If you need query letter help, check out our article on that!

7 Comments

This is good information and very useful. I have always wondered the difference in cover letters for different submission types. Thanks

Super helpful!

Very helpful and concise. Advice from successful experience. Thank you so much

Thank you for this. Can you show us an example of a Cover Letter (with aesthetics statement)?

This was very informative! Thank you

Ditto all of the above.

This was excellent and helpful. Thank you so much ..

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How to write a covering letter

When you send your poems for submission to a magazine, you will generally have to include a covering letter..

Some magazines will tell you what they want from your covering letter, others won’t. If they do tell you, stick to their suggested content – editors want to know that you will be easy to work with, and following their advice is a good start!

Some magazines accept postal submissions, others accept email submissions. However you are submitting your work, keep the covering letter short and polite. If you are writing a letter, make sure you format it correctly. If you are writing an email, you don’t need to worry so much about the layout, but don’t become too chatty!

As well as checking what the editors want from a covering letter, check all the submissions guidelines very carefully. How many poems do they want? Do they specify formatting? Do they want the poems in the body of an email or as an attachment?

Below are some guidelines if you are starting to send out your work.

– DO see if you can find the editor’s name. If you can, address the letter to them. And make sure it’s the current editor!

– If you can’t find the editor’s name, DO say ‘Dear editor’ or ‘Dear editors’.

– DO keep it short – editors are often very pushed for time.

– If it’s an email, DO include your name in the subject line so the editor can easily find your message in their inbox if they are looking for it again.

– If it’s an email, they will have your email address. There’s no need for any other contact details. If it’s a letter, DO give a postal address and email address in the top right hand corner.

– If you are submitting by post, DO include your name and postal or email address on each poem. That way, if the poems get separated from the covering letter, the editor will still know who to contact.

– DO give your full name and the names of your poems. Pay attention to whether they have asked for your poems in the body of an email, or as an attachment. If your poem has unusual formatting which gets lost in the email, paste it in the body of the email and include an attachment as well, and explain why you have done this.

– You could include a very brief biography, e.g. ‘I am a poet from Newcastle currently studying at university.’

– You could also give a brief publication history – don’t include everything, just 2-4 places you have been pleased to see your work published. Don’t worry if you haven’t been published anywhere yet – if the editor likes you work, they will be pleased to discover a new talent!

– If you have read and enjoyed the magazine before DO say so – and you could list a couple of poems or a feature you particularly liked. (It’s a good idea to read any magazines you’re submitting to, as it will give you a sense of whether your work will fit).

– DO thank the editor for their time.

– If you are accepted, DO send a short email thanking the editor/s for their decision. You can be excited and enthusiastic – it’s nice for editors to feel like they have made someone’s day!

– DON’T say ‘Dear Sirs’! There’s no reason why an editor should be a man.

– DON’T meander off the point – the editor just wants to know who you are and what your poems are called.

– DON’T act like you expect your poems to be accepted – and don’t act like you expect your poems to be rejected!

– If you are rejected, you DON’T need to respond. If you feel like you should, keep it to a short email thanking the editor/s for their time. You could also say you are looking forward to reading the magazine/ book/ website etc. Careful not to sound reproachful – sending rejections is a horrible job and that will just make the editor feel uncomfortable.

– DON’T be disheartened if your poem is rejected – editors are just people with subjective tastes, and if they have rejected your poem it doesn’t mean it isn’t a good piece of work! It just means it wasn’t to their taste. Send it out somewhere else instead.

Good luck with your submissions! You can find ideas of places to send your work on our list of Poetry Opportunities .

Published April, 2015

14 thoughts on “ How to write a covering letter ”

If submitting by letter is it also acceptable to use a letterhead (with name, adress and contact details in bottom centre)? Instead of a plain sheet with the adress at the top right-hand corner.

Hi Em, as long as your contact details are clear then that would be fine.

“In particular, tell us who your target audience is and provide a rationale for why we are the best publisher for your work. An outline of the entire work and an estimate of the length of the prospective manuscript. Please be sure that your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address are on the submission “

This is what the guidelines say but I am really disturbed with the thought with how to write it. What about potential audience what am I supposed to write? I am doing this for first time and if only I get an example of how this thing as a whole is to be written that would be great. For now rest all points are clear except for the above mentioned 3. I want to know how to write about potential audience and why the publisher is best to publish me. Also there is nothing stated in the guidelines if it has to be attachment or e mail text what way do I do it? The who thing with attachment? Publisher Guidelines from Andrews Mcmeel

Please do clarify this and i would be really thankful

I appreciate your commitment towards poets

Thanks for your comment. If you have questions about a specific job, it’s always best to ask the employer directly – we don’t want to give you bad advice!

Our best guess? By ‘potential audience’ they might mean is your work aimed at young children, young adults, adults etc.; men, women etc.; LGBTQ audiences; audiences who like dogs; audiences who are also fans of X Y Z other writers… any indication of who you have in mind when reading your work!

We would guess they would prefer a cover letter as an attachment but hopefully it won’t matter too much. Do get in touch with them and ask.

Best of luck!

Young Poets Network

I just read one of your commenters Ajay sounds great i wanted to know about the same by meaning of attaching the cover letter do you mean only the manuscript or entire like our details and all requirements if so what should be the mail content? That cant be kept empty right? Andrews is real confusing

Thanks for your comment! It depends on the submission guidelines from the particular magazine you’re submitting to. Normally, though, you would attach a cover letter and, separately, your poems. In your email, you could write something short such as:

‘Dear [name of editor(s)], Please find attached 3 poems for your consideration and a covering letter. Thank you for your time. Best wishes, [your name]’.

Does that help? Best of luck!

Should you sign a cover letter with attached poems?

It depends! If you’re printing out your cover letter and sending it in the post, it might be nice to sign the cover letter, though most poetry magazines won’t mind whether you do or don’t. If you are submitting over email or Submittable then you shouldn’t need to sign anything. Do always check the submissions guidelines though.

Hope this is helpful!

Best of luck,

Helen at Young Poets Network

Hi, I want to submit my poems for publication in a magazine but their submission guidelines do not include a bio. should I send one anyway? plus, they did not indicate whether the cover letter should be sent as an attachment or in the body of the email. what’s the most professional way to do so?

Our top tip is to follow the submissions guidelines to a T. So, if they don’t mention a bio, then you don’t need to send one.

As for the cover letter: normally, if you are emailing your poems over, it’s most common to include your cover letter in the body of the email – unless they’ve specifically said to attach it. However, if they haven’t said either way, then it shouldn’t hurt your chances whatever you do!

thanks for the prompt response. it’s very helpful

No worries – best of luck!

Hi Little Poet, I just recently started watching your videos on Youtube. My, my, my, how I have been helped with your insights about things. Please let me know if I can be on your mailing list. I love you Little Poet. I really do. Isn’t life wonderful when something or someone just comes into your life and blesses you really good?

I’m pleased to hear you’ve found Young Poets Network useful! I’ll add you to our mailing list.

All the best,

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The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor

Today’s guest post is from Elise Holland, co-founder and editor of 2 Elizabeths , a short fiction and poetry publication.

When submitting your short-form literature to a magazine or journal, your cover letter is often the first piece of writing an editor sees. It serves as an introduction to your thoughtfully crafted art. As such, it is significant, but it shouldn’t be intimidating or even take much time to write.

As editor at 2 Elizabeths , I see a variety of cover letters every day; some are excellent, and others could stand to be improved. There are a few key pieces of information to include, while keeping them short and sweet. In fact, a cover letter should only be a couple of paragraphs long, and no more than roughly 100-150 words.

A little research goes a long way

Seek out the editor’s name, and address the letter to him/her, as opposed to using a generic greeting. Typically, you can find this information either on the magazine or journal’s website, or in the submission guidelines.

Read the submission guidelines thoroughly. Many publications will state in their guidelines the exact details that need to be included in a cover letter. With some variation, a general rule of thumb is to include the following:

• Editor’s name (if you can locate it)
• Genre/category
• Brief description of your piece
• If you have been published previously, state where
• Whether your piece is a simultaneous submission (definition below)

Terms to Know

The term simultaneous submission means that you will be sending the same piece to several literary magazines or journals at the same time. Most publications accept simultaneous submissions, but some do not. If a publication does not accept them, this will be stated in their guidelines.

Should your work be selected for publication by one magazine, it is important to notify other publications where you have submitted that piece. This courtesy will prevent complications, and will keep you in good graces with various editors, should you wish to submit to them again in the future.

The term multiple submission means that you are submitting multiple pieces to the same literary magazine or journal.

Cover Letter That Needs Work

Dear Editor, Here is a collection of poems I wrote that I’d like you to consider. I have not yet been published elsewhere. Please let me know what you think. Bio: John Doe is an Insurance Agent by day and a writer by night, living in Ten Buck Two. He is the author of a personal blog, LivingWith20Cats.com. Best, John Doe

What Went Wrong?

John Doe didn’t research the editor’s name. A personal greeting is always better than a simple “Dear Editor.” Additionally, John failed to include the word count, title and a brief description of his work.

There is no need to state that John has not yet been published elsewhere. He should simply leave that piece of information out. (Many publications, 2 Elizabeths included, will still welcome your submissions warmly if you are unpublished.)

John included a statement asking the editor to let him know what he/she thinks about his work. Due to time constraints, it is rare that an editor sends feedback unless work is going to be accepted.

Unless otherwise specified by the magazine or journal to which you are submitting, you do not need to include biographical information in your cover letter. Typically, that information is either requested upfront but in a separate document from the cover letter, or is not requested until a piece has been selected for publishing.

Cover Letter Ready to Be Sent

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

What Went Right?

In this letter, John includes all pertinent information, while keeping his letter clear and concise. In his second sentence, John also briefly states how he is familiar with the magazine. While doing this isn’t required, if done tastefully, it can be a nice touch! Another example might be: “I read and enjoyed your spring issue, and believe that my work is a good fit for your magazine.”

I hope these sample letters help you as you send your short works to magazines and journals for consideration. While you’re at it, I hope you will check out 2 Elizabeths ! We would love to read your work.

Elise Holland is co-founder and editor of 2 Elizabeths , a short fiction and poetry publication. Her work has appeared in various publications, most recently in Story a Day . Through 2 Elizabeths, Elise strives to create value and visibility for writers, through writing contests , events , and more!

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[…] view post at https://janefriedman.com/perfect-cover-letter-advice-lit-mag-editor/ […]

[…] To get into literary magazines, you need a cover letter, so Elise Holland lays out how to write the perfect cover letter for a literary magazine. […]

Love this! The letter is short and to the point, and covers all the necessary information. Great tips! I always worry that the only publishing credit I have is the winning entry in a short story contest through the local paper. Should I mention that? And writing conferences I’ve attended?

As Elise says, it’s OK if you’re unpublished. Don’t worry about it. But feel free to mention your winning entry. If the writing conferences would likely be known to the journals’ editors, you might mention one or two.

[…] recently wrote a full article on the perfect cover letter, here. Check it out for clear, simple instructions, along with sample […]

[…] publication. Her work has appeared in various publications, most recently in Story a Day, and at JaneFriedman.com.  Through 2 Elizabeths, Elise strives to create value and visibility for writers, through writing […]

Thanks for the concise and useful information! I’ve heard that it’s also a good idea to include a sentence or two that makes it clear that you are familiar with the kind of work the magazine has published in the past. Is this generally advised, or would you consider it nonessential unless specified in the submission guidelines?

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How To Write A Cover Letter For Poetry Submission

How to Write a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

Writing a successful poetry submission requires a lot of preparation and thought. A poet must take the time to write a compelling cover letter in order to stand out among the competition. A cover letter is an important part of the poetry submission process, as it serves as the first impression of the poet and the poem. It should succinctly state the poet’s qualifications and the merits of their poem.

When writing a cover letter, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it should be professional. It should be written with a purpose and have a clear objective. It should be persuasive, but not too long. A poet should always make sure their contact information is included in the cover letter, as well as any questions or requests for feedback.

When writing a cover letter for a poetry submission, it is important to provide background information about the poem, such as when and where it was written and what inspired it. This will help provide an understanding of the poem’s context and give the reader an insight into the poet’s creative process.

In addition to providing background information, a cover letter should include a brief synopsis of the poem, including a brief description of the poem’s subject matter, tone, and structure. It should also include a description of the poet’s personal experience with the poem, as well as why they believe it should be published.

It is also important to provide data that supports the merit of the poem. This can include competition wins, awards, scholarship recognitions, or any other proof that the poem is of a high quality. This data should always be included with a cover letter and any other materials that come along with the submission.

Writing a cover letter for a poetry submission can be a daunting task, but it is an essential part of the process. By following the tips mentioned, poets can ensure that their poems have the best chance of getting accepted.

In order to make sure the best submission possible is made, poets should research the journal they are submitting to. It is important to know what the journal looks for in a poem and the kind of style they prefer. By researching, poets will have a better understanding of what the journal wants and can tailor their cover letter to fit.

Additionally, poets should keep in mind that editors may have different opinions and preferences. This is why researching and getting a better understanding of the journal is so important. Doing so will allow the poet to better tailor their cover letter to the specific journal and increase their chances of success.

Poets should also keep in mind that their cover letter should be concise and to the point. It should only include the essential information and leave out any irrelevant information such as biographical information or personal anecdotes. It should be informative and persuasive, but not too long.

Finally, it is important to remember that editors often receive hundreds of submissions, so a cover letter should be presented in a professional and confident manner. A poorly written or inconsistent cover letter is likely to be rejected, so poets should ensure they take the time to craft a compelling and persuasive letter.

Expert Advice

Experts in the field of publishing often provide valuable insights and advice that can help a poet in their efforts to have their work accepted. One such expert is author and publisher Mary Kuebler, who advises poets to write a brief letter that serves as a “calling card” when submitting poetry. She states that a successful cover letter should “state the nature of the work (poem), its genre, length, and a brief overview of its contents.” She suggests including a short author biography, why the poem fits within the market and any recognition or awards the poet may have received.

In the cover letter, Kuebler encourages poets to describe why they write and their writing principles. She also suggests mentioning any teaching and publishing experience they may have. By doing this, they may be taken more seriously by the potential editor and be able to better persuade them to accept their work.

Kuebler also recommends being humble but confident when writing a cover letter. Poets should remember that a cover letter is not a chance to brag about their work or to say how great they are. Rather, it should highlight the quality and merit of the poem and let the editor decide if it is suitable for the journal or publication.

Reading the Guidelines

Poets should always read and follow the submission guidelines carefully. Every journal and publication has its own set of guidelines and a poet should make sure that the cover letter meets all the criteria. If specific formatting or other requirements aren’t met, the poem may be rejected outright.

Additionally, some journals may offer feedback and critiques. Poets should always take advantage of these opportunities and use them to help improve their work. Feedback is an invaluable tool and can help a poet hone their craft and improve their chances of acceptance in the future.

Finally, poets should always have a thick skin and be prepared for rejection. This is an unfortunate and sometimes unavoidable part of the submission process, and good poets often get turned down. Learning to take criticism and rejections in stride can help a poet become more successful in the future.

Correspondence

After a submission has been made, a poet should always follow up with the journal or publisher if no response is received. They may have questions about the status or require more information, and the editor or publisher should be willing to provide it. Following up after the submission has been made is essential for getting feedback and answering any questions the poet may have.

It is also important to remember that editors are busy and may not respond to every submission. If a response is not received within a timely manner, the poet should reach out and inquire as to the status. A polite but persistent approach is often the best, as it can help ensure that the editor knows that the poet is serious and dedicated.

When corresponding with the editor or publisher, a poet should also remain professional and courteous. Poets should never attack or berate an editor, as this could lead to a rejection or even a blacklisting from the publication. Additionally, a polite follow up after the submission has been accepted can go a long way, as it can demonstrate to the editor that the poet is genuinely appreciative of their work and contribution.

Know Your Rights

It is important to remember that poets own the rights to their work and should never agree to have their work published without the proper legal paperwork in place. This includes an agreement that outlines the terms of publication and any payment that will be made. Taking the time to read and understand the legal paperwork can help protect a poet’s work and ensure that they are getting the credit and payment they deserve.

It is also important to remember to track the status of a submission once it’s been made. This can help poets stay on top of the process and know what is happening with the poem. Tracking the status can also help a poet follow up with the publication if no response is received and can save them time if the submission has already been processed and accepted or rejected.

Finally, it is essential to remember that the poetry submission process can be long and arduous. Poets should always be patient and persevere, as success may come with time. By remaining dedicated and passionate about their work, poets can increase their chances of success and see their work in a publication or journal.

Minnie Walters

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

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Publishing Poetry: Submit

• What to Expect After Submission
• Alternatives to Traditional Literary Publishing

Our best advice when submitting poems for publication? 

1. Read the guidelines--every time.  

2. Stay organized (see "Track Your Submissions," below). 

3.  Keep submitting.  Most editors receive hundreds, if not thousands, of poetry submissions every year. Therefore, they must reject the majority of the submissions they receive. Nobody enjoys rejection, but it is an unavoidable fact of life in the poetry business, and it's not personal. The best way to beat the odds is to submit, submit, submit, brush off the "no" answers when they come, and keep submitting until you find the editor who says "yes."

1. Read the Guidelines and Prepare your Manuscript

Every publication venue (journal, magazine, residency application, etc.) that accepts poetry will state submission guidelines; a search should pull these up quickly. It is  essential  to read submission guidelines for each venue carefully and to follow them to the letter. Submissions that don't follow the stated guidelines generally will not be read. 

Submission guidelines usually cover formatting requirements, deadlines, and a policy on simultaneous submissions . Simultaneous submissions happen when you send the same poems to multiple venues for consideration. Many journals accept simultaneous submissions for poetry; some don't. If the venue accepts simultaneous submissions, and you're sending your poems to multiple places, it's important to say so in your cover letter (see the templates linked in step 2, Write a Cover Letter, for more). 

Prepare your manuscript, following all posted submission guidelines.  Don't cut corners. Make it easy for editors to read your work. 

2. Write A Cover Letter

Most literary journals will ask you to send a cover letter with your poems. Cover letters in creative writing are almost always fact-oriented and very short. The templates below will help:

• How to Write a Cover Letter for a Literary Journal Submission
• How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter This article contains useful additional advice on cover letters for fellowships and residencies, which are slightly longer than cover letters for journal publications.
• Sample Cover Letters for Poetry Submissions
• What Do I Write In A Cover Letter? Includes a useful template.

3. Track Your Submissions

Keep track of your submissions.

This is a key marker of professionalism in creative writing: writers need to know where they've sent work and what the response was. Why? First, if you're sending simultaneous submissions, you need to know which markets are currently considering your work. If one says "yes," you should immediately withdraw that piece from consideration elsewhere . It's virtually impossible to do this accurately if you haven't been tracking submissions. Second, you don't want to submit work to the same editor twice. Third, if you go on to publish a book of poems, it is important to acknowledge journals where poems in the collection first appeared.  

• The simplest way to keep track of writing submissions How and why to track submissions. Includes help setting up a submission-tracking spreadsheet.
• Matt Bell's Submission Tracker Template Writer Matt Bell has set up a template spreadsheet in Google Docs. It's available for your use free of charge.

Additional Resources:

• Submittable You'll use this site often (accounts are free). Submittable tracks any submissions you make through the site for you.
• Duotrope Paid Duotrope accounts include submission tracking, deadline calendars, and stats on response time for many journals.
• Money-Saving Guide for Authors and Writers Cost-effective tips for each stage of the writing process, from drafting and revising to editing and publication. Includes information on careers and scholarships available to writers.
• << Previous: Research
• Next: What to Expect After Submission >>
• Last Updated: Feb 14, 2024 2:12 PM
• URL: https://libguides.library.arizona.edu/publishing-poetry