cover letter for short story

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How to Write a Perfect Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

Editors see mounds of bad cover letters. A lot of new writers submit short stories with little or no guidance and end up submitting cover letters that are either overenthusiastic or lacking the necessary information.

What you must know is that cover letters for different genres follow different sets of rules and etiquette. For example, an editor doesn’t expect you to write a cover letter for short fiction in the same format you would craft a query letter for a novel submission.

A cover letter is not a platform for you to brag about yourself or your writing accolades. There’s nothing that annoys an editor more than a cocky newbie.

Your cover letter is, most often than not, the first thing an editor sees and you have to be on point to create a strong first impression. Some editors that I have interacted with said that they read the cover letter after reading your short stories, and they admit that some cover letters convince them to go back to the story and reevaluate it.

Luckily for you, I have compiled tips on just how to go about crafting a good cover letter that can make a ‘strong first impression’ and influence the editor’s aftertaste after savoring your stories.

Research and… Research

In all the posts that I have made on cover letters, I have emphasized the importance of finding out the publisher’s/organizer’s guidelines.

Every organizer/publisher has a specific set of rules for short story cover letters, and knowledge and application of these guidelines raises the chances of your submission getting accepted.

You should research the publisher’s inclinations. Some publishers, or should I say most, won’t accept adult stories. They may not disclose these attitudes in their Ts and Cs, but an exploratory look at their published works can reveal what kind of genre they love to publish.

Tips on Creating a Perfect Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

A good cover letter for a short story submission should be:

Short and Simple

Cover letters for short fiction always have to have the conciseness element. It should be short and simple but compelling enough; it has to signal to the editor that you’re at least a refined writer.

Courteous and Direct

It is unprofessional to send a cover letter that is copied and pasted from previous submissions. The cover letter should address the editor or publishers and must contain information relevant to that particular submission.

Professional

Although a good cover letter is supposed to be courteous, it doesn’t have to get too personal. The editor doesn’t really care if you know their name (although it’s okay to address them by their name if they suggested so), but the contents of the cover letter must remain professional.

How to Address a Cover Letter

It is advisable to leave niceties and go straight to business. I have read a couple of blogs by real editors, and they all agree on one thing: go straight to business.

If you’re going to make multiple submissions to different recipients, you have to make sure you don’t put too much effort into ‘playing the nice newbie’ and just focus on making the cover letter a contextually right letter.

What should be in a cover letter?

I didn’t want to ramble on about something I didn’t know anything about, so I decided to give you a list of things that Neil Clarke (a real-life editor from Clarkesworld Magazine) wants to see in your cover letter for short stories:

State whether you are previously published or not.
If you’re submitting work that you did not author (maybe you’re the author’s agent or something), you have to state it in the cover letter. You have to explain the working arrangement with the author or if you’re translating.
And if you state that you are submitting a translation, you should say whether the story was originally published and where, in what language, and whether the original author or whoever holds the rights on the original has given you the permission to translate and publish.
If you are submitting a reprint, the cover letter should state this and any restrictions placed on the reprint.
If your short story doesn’t fit in one of the categories that the publisher has listed, the cover letter must explain what type of genre it is.

The cover letter also needs to contain a short bio, the story’s word count, title, and a brief description of the short story (not summary), among other things.

Publishers and editors have unique preferences, so you’ll find what ‘unique’ things they want in your cover letter.

Don’t Put These in Your Cover Letter

Going back to Neil Clarke’s preferences (most of which are shared by most editors), these things shouldn’t be in a cover letter:

Bank or PayPal details.
Mailing address or phone number (This might not be the case for all editors/publishers). In Clarke’s case, the mailing addressing should be on the first page of the story.
A summary of your short story.

But I said in the previous section, every editor and publisher has their own preferences.

Don’t Say These in Your Short Story Cover letter

Cover letters rarely influence editors’ opinions of a story, but some things can annoy an editor. Although they’re likely not going to reject the story because of some ‘little things’ in your short story’s cover letter, it’s wise to stay on the safe side.

Confidence is good, but you don’t have to be arrogant. For instance, you don’t have to say “I’m the modern-day Charles Dickens.”

And… you know it’s so ‘amateur hour’ when you say, “This is the best story you’ll ever read.” Trust me, it’s not. Editors have read thousands of stories and it’s better to let them ‘choose’ which is the best they’ve ever read.

Even though it’s bad to sound cocky in your cover letter, it’s equally damning to show low self-esteem. So, in your cover letter, you have to avoid writing things like ‘how desperate you’re’ or ‘how many times your story has been rejected.’ Those won’t help your case at all!

Formats and Submission Guidelines

If you haven’t found this out already, some publications put so much emphasis on the format of short story submissions. Some publications will give you specifications for font size, line spacing, margins, etcetera. It’s either you format everything the way they tell you to, or it’s an instant REJECTION for you!

However, some publications don’t go that far, but most of them let you know that If you don’t follow their pocket-size guidelines, you might as well just keep your story to yourself.

Outside the typing window, there are other formatting issues that you have to be aware of. Things like file type (e.g., PDF, RTF, Word Doc, etcetera.) and the means of submitting (e.g., email, or through the publication’s website). A few old guards still require writers to submit stories in print—yes, inconveniently, through the postal service.

The submission guidelines may extend to the manner of attaching documents (and the number of those attachments). Hopefully, the publications you’re submitting to allow you to submit attachments (which is the most likely nowadays).

Sample Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

There are more than a thousand ways you can write your cover letter for a short story submission. In case you don’t have the littlest idea of how to go about it, I have written a very brief cover letter.

Note : This is a sample and cannot be used as a blueprint for any short fiction submission. Well, you could use it if you think it’s okay; I mean, it’s not bad.

Dear Maggie (if you don’t know their name, just put their professional title like Editor), Please consider this 2000-word story, “Dying Good,” for publication in the Sun Dance Magazine . I believe this short fiction piece is exactly the type of story that the Sun Dance typically publishes. “Dying Good” is a tale of betrayal, anger, and—ultimately—redemption. It follows a man on his journey from the gallows of degeneracy to salvation. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ed Halfords.

This cover letter is exactly 67 words (without that bracketed explanation) and even if you were to add some details, which is a likely thing, it wouldn’t be anywhere near 150 words. In such a short piece, you can put all the required information and still avoid taking much of the editor’s time.

Final Words on Cover Letters for a Short Story Submission

You shouldn’t have to worry about writing an out-of-this-world cover letter when submitting your short story. That will only make the process seem like a very challenging task—but, in all honesty, it isn’t. I believe that I covered all the ‘life-saving’ tips that you can use to make your story submission a seamless task.

I’m not an editor (well, not by profession), but I did my research and contacted some ‘editor friends’ of mine before I got down to write this post.

As long as you do your research, keep your cover letters for short stories short, and always stick to the point, omit anything else, your short story is ready for submission!

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?

The Proven Method Of Writing Short Story Cover Letters

Welcome to this guide on how to write a cover letter for a short story, as well as for pieces for magazines, journals, publishers and presses , complete with examples that have been proven to work in the past.

The task of writing a cover letter can sometimes feel tougher than writing the actual story. Luckily, guidance is plentiful and having studied that guidance, I’ve put together a quick guide complete with examples.

At this early stage, it’s important to highlight that cover letters differ depending on whether it’s a short story, or a longer piece, such as a novel—submission requirements are more substantial for the latter.

For short stories, the best guidance I’ve encountered comes from Alex Shvartsman, well-respected editor and writer of sci-fi and fantasy. Check out his guidance in full here

How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story

Here are some of the highlights:

If you know the name of the editor, address the cover letter to them. For instance, ‘Dear Mr Gamgee’. If in doubt, just use ‘Dear Editors’.
Keep it simple. The editor is about to read your story, you don’t need to tell them the ins and outs of character and plot. Let them discover it themselves. And if you explain it badly, you may put them off reading it altogether.
If it’s not relevant, don’t include it. If you’ve got a law degree, nice work, but what has it got to do with the story? If your story is a legal drama, then that’s a different matter.
List some of your most notable publishing accomplishments. If you don’t have any, that’s fine! As Shvartsman says: “Every editor I know loves discovering new talent and loves being the first to publish someone, or first to publish someone in a pro venue. No one is going to hold a lack of past credits against you.”

A Proven Example Of How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story

So, the examples. This is a cover letter I used for a short story called Noodlin ’, published by Kzine in May 2019.

_______________

Richie Billing

12 Hobbiton Lane, The Shire, Middle Earth

T: 07458228888

E: [email protected]

W: https://richiebilling.com/

Dear Editors,

I attach for your consideration ‘Noodlin”, a fantasy story around 2,800 words in length.

My short fiction has featured in Aphelion Webzine, Alien Pub Magazine and Far Horizons, and non-fiction in Authors Publish Magazine.

I appreciate you taking the time to consider my submission.

All the very best,

If, for instance, I was sending this story to a few publishers (AKA a simultaneous submission), it’s wise to tell them you’re doing so. An example may look something like this:

I have submitted this story to other publishers. Should it be accepted elsewhere I will, of course, inform you without delay.

For the avoidance of doubt, the text should not be bold. I’ve merely done so for easier reference.

The address and other details are very much optional provided you include them all on the first page of your manuscript. A true letter would feature this information in such a style, or it could be justified to the right of the page. However, in this modern age your submission email usually comprises the cover letter and with that the format’s a bit different. With emails, I usually put all this info at the very end, after my signature.

How To Write A Cover Letter For A Novel

So that’s the practice for short stories, what about novels?

Publishers may ask for a short summary of the novel in the cover letter. How short depends on the publisher—they may ask for detail, they may ask for a mere sentence.

A standard accompaniment to the cover letter is a synopsis—what your story is about , i.e. the premise, the point of it; the characters, their emotional journey and the conflicts they face; the intended market, and; where it aligns in that market, for instance, comparing it to Lord of the Rings. The length is generally limited by publishers to one page. Invest a good amount of time in your synopsis. Make every word count. Read it aloud. Refine it until you can’t say it any better. The synopsis helps an editor form their impression of your story so try and make the best one you can .

More Help On Writing Cover Letters and Getting Published

For more help and guidance on how to write a cover letter, I’ve included links to some guides you may find useful below:

List of fantasy publishers
List of fantasy magazines and journals
List of book reviewers
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10 Impressive Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Hey fellow writers!

Are you an aspiring short story writer looking to get your work published? Well then, you’ll definitely need a killer cover letter to accompany your submission. But, writing a cover letter can be a daunting task and sometimes, you might not even know where to start.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We have compiled some cover letter examples for short story submission that will help you get started and show you what works and what doesn’t. You can use these examples and edit them as per your need.

Remember, your cover letter is your first impression on the editor, so you want it to be the best it can be. It’s your chance to show them who you are as a writer and why your story is worth publishing.

So, go ahead and check out our cover letter examples for short story submission. We’re confident they will help you craft the perfect cover letter that will make your work stand out!

The Best Structure for Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Submitting a short story can be a nerve-wracking experience. You’ve spent countless hours crafting your story, and now it’s time to send it out into the world. But before you hit send, it’s important to make sure that your cover letter is as polished as your story. Not sure where to start? Here’s the best structure for cover letter examples for short story submission.

First, start with the basics. Include the name of the publication you’re submitting to, the title of your story, and your contact information. It’s also a good idea to personalize your greeting by addressing the editor by name, if possible.

Next, move on to a brief summary of your story. This should be no more than a paragraph or two and should give the editor a sense of what your story is about. It’s important to be clear and concise here, as the editor may be reading hundreds of submissions.

After your summary, it’s time to talk a bit about yourself. This doesn’t need to be a long bio, but you should include any relevant writing experience or publications. If you don’t have any past publications, that’s okay! Simply mention why you enjoy writing and what inspired you to write this particular story.

Finally, it’s time to wrap up your letter. Thank the editor for their time and consideration, and let them know that you look forward to hearing back from them. It’s also a good idea to include a sentence about your availability in case the editor has any questions or wants to discuss your story further.

Overall, the best structure for cover letter examples for short story submission is one that is clear, concise, and professional. Keep in mind that the purpose of your cover letter is to get the editor excited to read your story, so make sure that your letter is engaging and well-written. Good luck!

Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Recommendation for publication.

Dear [Editor’s name],

I am excited to submit my short story [Story Title] for publication in [Journal/Magazine Name]. The engaging plot and character development make this story a perfect fit for your publication.

[Paragraph 1] This story follows the journey of [Character name], who [brief plot summary]. With twists and turns throughout, the reader is engaged until the very end. I believe [Journal/Magazine Name] readers will thoroughly enjoy this piece.

[Paragraph 2] As an experienced writer with several published works, I understand the importance of a good fit between writer and publication. This is why I think my writing style, which is [briefly describe writing style and how it fits your submission], is perfect for your readers.

Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to the opportunity to share my work with your readers.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Request for Feedback

I am writing to submit my short story [Story Title] for your consideration and feedback. As an aspiring writer, I am always looking to improve my craft, and I believe your expert feedback can provide valuable insights.

[Paragraph 1] This story follows the journey of [Character name], who [brief plot summary]. With twists and turns throughout, the reader is engaged until the very end. I believe there is ample opportunity for growth and improvement in this piece, and I would appreciate your guidance.

[Paragraph 2] As a reader of [Journal/Magazine Name], I admire the quality of work that you publish. Your feedback, both positive and constructive, would be an incredible learning experience for me.

Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to hearing back from you and incorporating your suggestions into my writing.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Request for Partial Payment

I am writing to submit my short story [Story Title] for your consideration and to request partial payment under your guidelines. I have read and understand your submission requirements for payment and am happy to meet all the necessary criteria for eligibility.

[Paragraph 1] This story follows the journey of [Character name], who [brief plot summary]. With twists and turns throughout, the reader is engaged until the very end, and I believe it will be a great addition to your publication.

[Paragraph 2] As a professional writer, I take great pride in my work, and it would be an honor to have my writing published in [Journal/Magazine Name]. I understand that partial payment is offered under certain circumstances, and I meet all the requirements. Therefore, I am requesting payment of [Amount] as stipulated in your guidelines.

Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Request for Exemption from Submission Fee

I am submitting my short story [Story Title] for your consideration and am requesting an exemption from the submission fee. I have read and understand your guidelines, and my submission meets all the necessary criteria for fee exemption.

[Paragraph 2] As a writer with a limited budget, the submission fee poses a financial burden that I am unable to afford at this time. I assure you that I meet all the criteria for fee exemption, including [briefly list your eligibility criteria as per the submission guidelines].

Thank you for considering my submission and exemption request. I appreciate your support for aspiring writers.

Re-Submission of Revised Short Story

I am submitting my revised short story [Story Title] for your consideration. Thank you for your thoughtful feedback on my original submission, which helped me to enhance the strengths of my piece.

[Paragraph 1] This revised version of the story follows the journey of [Character name], who [brief plot summary]. With improved character development and a more engaging plot, I believe this version better showcases my writing strengths and is a better fit for your publication.

[Paragraph 2] As someone who values quality feedback, I appreciate the time and effort you took to review my previous submission. Incorporating your feedback has improved the quality of my writing, and I believe it will help the story resonate with readers.

Thank you for considering my re-submission. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Recommendation for Award Consideration

Dear [Award Committee Chair’s name],

I am excited to submit my short story [Story Title] for consideration for [Award Name]. The engaging plot, strong character development, and vivid imagery make this story a true literary gem.

[Paragraph 1] This story follows the journey of [Character name], who [brief plot summary]. The plot twists and character development are masterfully crafted, keeping the reader engaged until the very end. As an accomplished writer with several published works, I believe this story ranks among my best and is worthy of consideration for the [Award Name].

[Paragraph 2] Winning this award would be a dream come true, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered. I appreciate the time and effort that goes into judging submissions for [Award Name], and I have great respect for the judges’ discernment.

Thank you for considering my submission for the [Award Name].

Request for Expedited Review

I am writing to submit my short story [Story Title] for your consideration and request an expedited review. The unique plot and engaging characters make this a must-read story, and I am excited to hear back from you as soon as possible.

[Paragraph 2] I understand the volume of submissions you receive, and I appreciate any effort to expedite the review process. As a writer, I am eager to receive feedback and hope to hear back from you soon.

Thank you for considering my submission, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Cover Letter Tips for Short Story Submissions

Submitting a short story can be an exciting and daunting process. Along with the submission itself, you’ll need to provide a compelling cover letter that captures the editor’s attention. Here are some tips for creating a cover letter that will make your submission stand out:

Address the editor by name: Research the publication and the editor’s name to make your letter more personal. Addressing the editor directly shows that you have taken the time to do your homework and are serious about your submission.
Introduce yourself: Briefly introduce yourself and mention any relevant writing experience or publications. This helps establish your credibility and shows that you have a track record of writing.
Summarize your story: Provide a brief summary of your story, highlighting the unique angle or selling point. This gives the editor a taste of what they can expect from your submission and helps them understand why it would be a good fit for their publication.
Mention your writing style: If you have a specific writing style that sets you apart, mention it in your letter. For example, if you write in a particular genre or have a distinct voice, let the editor know. This helps them get a sense of your tone and writing style.
Thank the editor: Use the closing paragraph to express gratitude for the editor’s time and consideration. Sign off with your name and contact information.

Remember, your cover letter is your chance to showcase your writing skills and make a memorable impression on the editor. By following these tips, you can create a compelling cover letter that will increase your chances of getting your short story published.

FAQs for Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submissions What should be included in a cover letter for a short story submission?

A cover letter for a short story submission should include a brief introduction, the title and word count of the story, a short synopsis, any relevant publication credits, and a professional closing.

Is it necessary to mention the word count of the short story in the cover letter?

Yes, it is crucial to mention the word count of the short story in the cover letter. Many publishers have specific guidelines for story lengths, and by mentioning the word count, you can ensure that your story is considered for publication.

Can I mention my personal information, such as age and gender, in the cover letter?

No, it is not necessary to mention your personal information, such as age and gender, in the cover letter. Your writing should stand on its own merit, and your personal demographics do not affect the quality of your work.

What type of language should I use in the cover letter?

You should use a formal and professional tone in the cover letter. Avoid using overly casual language or slang. Additionally, you should proofread your cover letter to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors.

Should I mention any prior publications in the cover letter?

Yes, you should mention any prior publications in the cover letter. If you have previously been published in literary magazines or other publications, it can add to your credibility as a writer.

Can I make changes to the cover letter after submitting my short story?

No, you should not make any changes to the cover letter after submitting your short story. The cover letter is your first impression to the publisher, and making edits or changes can reflect poorly on your professionalism.

Is it acceptable to include a bio in the cover letter?

Yes, it is acceptable to include a short bio in the cover letter. However, the bio should be brief and relevant to your writing experience and accomplishments.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it, folks – some cover letter examples for short story submission! By now, you should have a better understanding of how to approach your cover letter, and what to include and avoid. We sincerely hope that this article has been helpful to you in some way, and if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And of course, don’t forget to visit us again soon for more articles on writing, publishing, and all things bookish. Thank you for reading!

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Contributors

These are some guidelines for writing a cover letter. For information about what kinds of stories we're looking for, see our fiction guidelines .

Address it to "Editors".
List up to three previous publication credits if you have them. It's okay if you don't have any.
Mention experience you have that is directly relevant to the story (we'd particularly like to know if you are writing about your own culture or profession, for instance).
Address it to "Sirs" or use titles like Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss.
Summarize or pitch your story, or include praise for your work.
Include information about you that isn't relevant to the story.

Sample Cover Letters

Cover letters should be brief and simple. Here are a few examples of good cover letters. Feel free to use any of them as a template for your own letter.

Very Basic Cover Letter:

Dear Editors,

Please consider the following story for Strange Horizons . Thank you.

Sincerely, A. I. Robotsky

Cover Letter with Credits:

Please consider the following story for Strange Horizons .

My fiction has appeared in Asimov's , Clarkesworld , and the Zloty Press anthology The Zloty Chronicles .

Thank you, A. I. Robotsky

Cover Letter with Credits and Experience:

Please consider the following story for Strange Horizons . It's about robot factory workers, and I am a robot who has spent 5 years working in factories.

Cover Letter with Experience:

Please consider the following story for Strange Horizons . It's about Czech robots, and I was built in Prague. Thank you for your time.

Strange Lusts
Azimuth Highlights
Staff Stories
Critical Friends

Never To Live
To Ashes We Run
Published Short Stories
From Bud to Barrel
Deleted Scenes and Short Stories
My Writing Journey
Read It Again Reviews
Aspects of Fantasy
Tips and Tricks

How to Write Cover Letters for Short Stories

Writing a cover letter to submit with your short story to magazines or ezines is different from writing a query letter for a full length novel, but some rules do apply to both.

In the cover letter you don’t want to boast about yourself or your writing. If you make it seem like you think you’re “the next best thing,” editors will assume you’re a cocky newbie. And editors don’t want to work with cocky newbies. ;)

Don’t say:

“Everyone who’s read this story loves it.”
“I’m the next (insert famous author).”
“My story is so much better than everything else out there.”

On the opposite side of things, you don’t want to bash yourself or come across as having low confidence. If they see low confidence in you, it will influence them to have low confidence in your writing.

“I’ve never been published before.”
“I’ve been rejected by xx publishers before.”
“I know this story could use some work, but that’s what you’re for, right?”

You also don’t want to overload them with personal information. They’re not interviewing you right now, they’re looking at your story.

“I’ve been writing since…”
“I’m xx years old.”
“I work as a…” (unless your profession is related to the story you wrote and your inside knowledge makes it stronger.)

You want to address the cover letter by name if you can. Go to the website of the magazine or ezine you are submitting to and see if they have a list of who works in what position.

If you can’t figure out who exactly you’re submitting to, you can always just address your letter “Dear Editor” or “Dear Editors.”

Short stories are short. It doesn’t take long to read them, and it won’t take long for an editor to know all they need to about it. So unlike a full length novel’s query letter there’s usually no need for a synopsis or “back cover copy.” Unless it’s specifically requested in their submission guidelines.

All of this comes down to keeping your cover letting very brief. Most of the time there’s no need for it to be any more than 50 to 60 words long .

Because of this, cover letters for short stories often seem emotionless. They’re just the bare facts that an editor needs.

Finally, you always want to make sure you follow each magazine’s submission guidelines exactly.

We writers may not like to hear it, but if you were an acquisitions editor going through dozens or hundreds of submissions looking for the few you would choose, and you saw one that didn’t follow your specific guidelines, you would assume that since the writer didn’t care enough to check your guidelines before submitting, they wouldn’t care enough to write a good story or even edit it before they sent it to you.

And honestly, for acquisitions editors that’s a very good reason to reject a short story before even reading it.

Now on to some formats!

For a general cover letter, if you don’t see specific guidelines on their website, you can format it similar to this:

(Your Name)

(Email Address)

(Telephone Number)

Dear Editor,

Please consider my X,XXX word short story titled (story title) for (magazine name). The story is attached as a word document titled (document title).

Thank you for your time and consideration.

(your name)

Make sure you check their guidelines to see if they want the story sent as an attachment or in the body of the email, and modify your cover letter accordingly!

But sometimes submission guidelines are different from this format.

Here are two examples from short stories that I wrote and submitted to magazines (both were acquired, so they worked!).

For this magazine they wanted your personal contact information in the story’s separate document. In the cover letter they wanted:

Your first and last name, and your pen name if you wrote under one.

Your author website if you had one.

The name of the attached file that contained your story.

This was my cover letter:

My name is Jordan (last name), but I write under the pen name Just B. Jordan.

Attachment: (last name)—Howl

Author website: www.JustBJordan.com

I enjoy reading Splickety’s magazines and am hopeful that you’ll find “Howl” to be a good fit.

As you can see that was very short and to the point, no access information. It was 51 words long.

This second example is very similar to the one above, but this issue had a theme of literary re-imaginings. They wanted classic stories reinvented with a magical twist.

My cover letter:

The attached file is named (last name)—Covet, and the original classic story is Robin Hood.

And that’s it! Cover or query letters for short stories are very…short. ;)

Stick to the point and the information they require, omit anything else, and you’ll be good to go!

Good luck on submitting those short stories!

Just B. Jordan is an award-winning author of fantasy and sci-fi. She graduated high school a year early and received her first publishing contract at the age of 18. To Ashes We Run is her most recent novel. Find it here .

3 Responses

Pat Hanratty

Enclosed you will find the short story (7,000 words) The Visitor. Randy Taylor is abducted by a flying saucer and, because of his background as a great cook, is enlisted to save the world from the oncoming environmental catastrophe. Will Randy be up to the task? I hope you enjoy the story. Pat’s (3rd person) bio is short: He is a retired psychologist who loves to write. Pat has published one short story and two articles in the past six-months.

Where do I submit my story?

It is apparent that the author is a data geek. I like how he writes and writes facts. It is always such a joy to read articles created by real professionals, like https://oliviarkeane.com/5-rules-for-avoiding-wordiness-improve-writing-by-eliminating-words/ . I’m fed up with all that no-name, ghostwritten articles. That is why it was so pleasant to have a look at a compelling piece. I see the writer has ground knowledge it the topic as well as some practical experience. Such kind of information is more valuable than copypasted blog posts ideas.

How to write a cover letter for short fiction submissions

First and foremost, my experience with cover letters is based on a couple years of submitting stories to magazines and is limited to speculative fiction magazines and anthologies. My way isn’t the only way. Also, every magazine is different and if you take nothing else away from this: read the submission guidelines from top to bottom to see if they have any cover letter preferences. Again, please read submission guidelines. It will make everyone’s life easier and significantly improve your chances of getting that coveted acceptance letter. Okay, on to cover letters…

How to write a cover letter for short fiction submissions:

First, don’t overthink it. Cover letters don’t need to be creative or even particularly well-written. Most magazines openly admit they don’t care much about the content of your cover letter; after all, it’s your story they’re buying. Second, there are only FOUR components to 90% of cover letters: greeting, info about the story, your publication history, and closing.

1. Greeting

Some cover letter instructions mention headers with your name, address, email address, and phone number. That seems to be going out of fashion and a lot of magazines either explicitly or by omission do not want all of that personal information during the submissions process. (If your story is accepted, they might ask for it then.) For the greeting itself, I recommend looking up the editor’s name and addressing them specifically. DO NOT assume titles like Mr. or Mrs; just use their full name. If there is more than one editor-in-chief, you can put all of them. Some editors have a preference for how they’re addressed, so look for that in their submission guidelines. (Edit: These days, I often just put Dear [Magazine Name] editorial team. It’s simple, and I like that it covers all the staff who work hard on the magazine.)

2. Information about your story

Next up is the title of your story, the word count rounded to the nearest hundred, whether it’s a simultaneous submission (check the guidelines to see if they accept submissions still waiting on a response from another magazine), and whether it’s an original or a reprint.

3. Your publication history

If you haven’t had any stories published, don’t sweat it. You can omit this section or say something simple like, “My fiction has not previously been published.” A lot of magazines are excited about publishing new authors. If you have had your work published, you can list up to three or four places your fiction has been published. You can also mention if you have any relevant education, like an MFA, or associations you’re a member of, like SFWA .

A quick Best or Warmest regards or even the old classic, Sincerely, will do here.

Here’s an example of a cover letter:

Dear Keisha Mann and Mike Garcia, Please consider “Songs of Death” (5700 words). It has not previously been published. My short fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in FIYAH, Diabolical Plots, and Anathema: Spec from the Margins. I appreciate your time and consideration. Best regards, Kel Coleman

Sometimes editors will ask for additional information, like your email address, background information that can provide context on your story, pronouns, or demographics with which you identify. This is especially true if the submissions call is limited to a specific demographic or they’re looking to offset reader bias by taking into account, upfront, any experiences the author has that the slush readers (often the first people who read and comment on your submission) and editors may not. A cover letter with some of those additional components may look like this:

Dear Made-up Magazine editorial team, Please consider “Songs of Death” (5700 words). This is a simultaneous submission and I will notify you immediately if it is accepted elsewhere. I am a member of SFWA and my short fiction has appeared in FIYAH, Anathema: Spec from the Margins, and other fine publications.

I am Black and queer. I appreciate your time and consideration. Best regards, Kel Coleman (they/them)

And that’s basically how you write a cover letter. Seriously, don’t overthink it or spend an inordinate amount of time on it.

How to query a short fiction magazine or anthology after you’ve submitted a story:

Has it been a million years since you submitted your story (aka a few months)? Is it past the estimated response time stated in the guidelines or perhaps the publisher posted on Twitter saying they’ve cleared all of their submissions? Then it’s time to query!

If you’re like me, you feel awkward about this, but you shouldn’t. As long as you’ve waited for the estimated response time to pass and you are polite, no reasonable magazine will mind a check in.

Example of a query letter:

Hello, I wanted to inquire about the status of my submission of “Songs of Death”, submitted on June 1st, 2021. Thank you for your time. Best, Kel

Simple as that. Editors are busy busy people and I don’t think you can ever go wrong just getting to the point, as long as you are polite about it. I don’t know if this is the “right” way to query, but I searched online for the proper way to no avail. I finally asked an experienced author I knew and used some of what they suggested to craft my letter.

Hope you found this post helpful! Happy submitting!

How to Tell a Story in a Cover Letter

In This Guide:

But of course, how do you tell a story in a cover letter, how do you tell a story in a cover letter.

Your cover letter is a perfect opportunity for an employer to get to know the real you. You can use the cover letter to present yourself on a personable but professional level that demonstrates you’re a perfect match for their company culture.

I know what you’re thinking, is a cover letter really necessary?

Consider this, finding your dream job is a competitive process. You might be competing against 200+ candidates who are all trying to get one role.

A well-crafted, unique cover letter can be your secret weapon to standing out above the crowd.

So how do you write a cover letter which will catch the recruiter’s attention? Well, writing a cover letter is like telling a story about your work experience and skills.

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Writing is a skill that we can all find difficult from time to time. Writing a cover letter can be especially hard because you’re writing to get your dream job and that’s a lot of pressure!

If you are struggling to the point where you need a break and a refresh, our Career Counsellors are here to help! With our cover letter writing service , we will not only write you the perfect cover letter but teach you the writing skills you can use for the rest of your career.

Before you start writing a cover letter there are some things you need to consider.

What do employers look for in a cover letter?

So what is the purpose of a cover letter ? Most importantly, what do employers look for in a cover letter?

A cover letter is a second chance for the employer to get to know your skills, but most importantly it’s a great way to get to know you!

Every company has its own quirks and personalities. Hiring managers have strategies to ensure their future employees will fit into their company culture. The last thing they want is to hire someone who will disrupt the workflow and interrupt their processes.

Why do you need a story for your cover letter?

A resume tends to be very factual and direct, but a cover has the possibility to get creative and personal. A chance to demonstrate that you understand the company’s values, goals and culture. Combine it with a story-telling resume and that's your best shot.

There’s so much to talk about in a cover letter, especially if your career is spanning over 20+ years and there’s a lot of incredible moments you’re proud of. Telling a story from beginning to end will be a good way of creating structure and will make it easier for the recruiter to read.

We’re all natural storytellers. We can connect to people by understanding their needs through empathy and compassion - this includes employers!

Employers don’t want to hire a robot, they want someone who brings a bit of life and charisma.

But how do you tell a story in a cover letter?

The best place to start is by writing your narrative structure. A writing structure will help you to categorize your job experiences and decide what’s most important.

Just like any story, an opening hook is a way to grab the recruiter’s attention and keep them engaged.

A few tips for picking the perfect hook,

Consider the company and who they are
Think about what will relate to them
Make sure it’s unique and memorable

One of my Executive Client’s was applying for a job at a small business that had an office cat. So with that in mind, we decided to use this hook…

Experience in leading high impactful teams and herding cats - Jackson the cat and I will get along perfectly!

You can also look into quotes for a strong opener.

Think of the people who’ve inspired you in your career than search to see what quotes they have which are relevant.

“If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” – Steve Jobs.

Remember the cover letter is a chance to show your personality, and your hook is the perfect opportunity.

The middle - your experience

Your experience is the most important part of writing your cover letter. This is how you’re able to demonstrate that you match their requirements.

The best place to start is by looking through the job description and picking out 5 - 8 keywords, skills, and functions. Then, consider which achievements you can use to match them.

So for example, if the job description requires ‘effective communication’ then you need to consider a few of these things which match that.

For example,

‘Negotiated across stakeholders to close deals exceeding $50k’

‘Deligated tasks across large teams and cross functions’

‘Presented at a conference with guests of 500+’

The next step is to piece together your experiences starting with the most relevant and recent first.

Conclusion - reflection

Finally the conclusion. This is a chance to turn it back around on the recruiter and show you understand their values, goals, and company culture.

Every company has a mission statement. What you need to do is visit their website, go to their ‘about me’ or ‘values’ page. On here you’ll find all the mission statement and their values.

Use this information to your advantage. Show you’re able to resonate with what they believe and you’re able to help them achieve their mission!

That is why I was intrigued by company name emphasis on Value . I believe our values align in regards to job description value and I resonate with your another value.

A final takeaway from this is to get messy!

Don't be afraid to make a separate messy document with all your notes, structures and ideas. Writing is a creative process and if you’re stuck, try to let out all the ideas into one big document then work backward from there.

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15 Short Cover Letter Examples & Step-by-Step Guide for 2024

You’re preparing your job application, and your resume is all set and ready to go.

But the job market is competitive, and you know hiring managers don’t spend a lot of time on individual applications.

Unfortunately, your resume only has so much space for you to convey your skills and experience. How can you tell your full story without losing the hiring manager’s interest?

This is where the short cover letter comes into play.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

What Is a Short Cover Letter?

6 Steps to Writing a Short Cover Letter

15 short cover letter examples.

By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with all the tools needed to create a short cover letter that stands out.

So, let's get started!

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document you can submit alongside your CV or resume for a job application.

When done right, a cover letter complements your resume by adding a personal touch to your job application. It's your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager, giving life to the bullet points on your resume.

Think of it as a conversation starter. Unlike a resume, it lets you get into the details of your skills and experiences and express your enthusiasm for the job, not just list your qualifications.

This personal introduction can be a game changer for your job application since it helps paint a complete picture of you as a professional, using your own words.

Do you still think your resume needs improvement? Check out our detailed guide to learn how to make a resume .

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

The ideal length of a cover letter is usually between half a page and one page.

The word count is typically between 250 and 400 words. However, if the job ad specifies how long the cover letter should be, then make sure you abide by that.

Generally, your cover letter should never be longer than the recommended length. Hiring managers don’t want to read your life story, and if they see a very long cover letter, they probably won’t even bother with it.

Just make sure to pay attention to your cover letter’s format , too. It should have at least three paragraphs consisting of three to five sentences each, but no more than six paragraphs.

This helps give your cover letter a neat layout and makes it easier to read.

When Should You Write a Short Cover Letter?

There are certain situations when a short cover letter is the best companion to your resume, including:

Requirement from the job ad. If the job ad specifically asks for a brief cover letter, it's important to stick to that. This both shows attention to detail and that you can follow instructions.
Restricted character limit. When you’re applying through an online platform that has strict word count or character limits, you may want to write a short cover letter. This way, you can stay within the required limits without sacrificing any essential information.
Email application. If you're expanding your professional network or sending a job application through email, the person receiving your message may prefer something brief and to the point. A shorter cover letter gets your message across without overwhelming the reader, and it makes it more likely that they'll read and remember your application.
Industry standard. Certain industries, like tech startups, value straightforward communication. Here, a short cover letter can make a stronger impact than a longer one. It shows the hiring manager that you can communicate effectively and that you value the reader's time.
Limited experience. If you're early in your career or amid a career change and you don't have a lot of relevant experience, a short cover letter can be more powerful. It allows you to focus solely on what you can offer, so every word counts.

Writing a short cover letter is easy once you know the process.

Just follow these simple steps:

#1. Plan Ahead of Writing

Before you write your cover letter , create an outline.

Having an outline for your short cover letter can help you write a more effective text, and it can help you see which crucial points you’ve covered.

An outline also helps keep your cover letter focused and coherent. It makes sure you stick to the most relevant details of your background, without any unnecessary details that could make you go over the word count.

#2. Take Time to Reflect

To get the ball rolling on writing your short cover letter, start by asking yourself some questions.

The goal of these questions is to help you pinpoint what the hiring manager wants to know and to make sure every word on your cover letter adds value to your job application.

Here are some questions your short cover should always answer:

What excites you about this company and this specific role?
Which of your skills and achievements are most relevant to the job ?
How have you made a measurable contribution in your previous roles?
How can you, based on everything so far, contribute to the company?

Don’t worry if the first draft of your text doesn’t look perfect. Any writer can tell you that the perfect text takes time and careful editing.

#3. Follow the Standard Cover Letter Structure

Your short cover letter should always be structured neatly and follow the same guidelines a regular cover letter would.

Here’s what that includes:

Cover Letter Header. The very top of your short cover letter should include a header. We recommend choosing something that matches your resume. This is where your essential contact information is going to be, along with the hiring manager’s contact details.
Personalized Greeting. Always address your cover letter to the person who’s going to be reading it. Do some research to find their name, and forget the age-old “To Whom It May Concern.” We recommend using something like “Dear Ms. Smith” or “Dear Axel Smith" for a professional yet personalized touch.
Opening Paragraph. The first paragraph is the introduction to the rest of your cover letter. Use it to mention your background, such as your education or job title , and explain why you’re interested in the role. Include one or two of your most impressive achievements to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and make them read the rest of your cover letter.
Main Body. The next paragraphs should focus on how you’re qualified for the position and why the hiring manager should choose you over other applicants. Emphasize your essential skills and any relevant certifications that make you stand out from the crowd. Mention why you’re a good match for the company, such as the common values you share with them or how you look forward to working on some of their interesting projects.
Conclusion. End your cover letter by quickly recapping your key selling points, then add a call to action and a professional closing line. Urging the hiring manager to get in touch with you to discuss your application increases the likelihood that they actually will.

#4. Shorten Your Text

Once you’ve written your cover letter, it’s time to make sure it’s short.

It’s easy to get carried away when writing. When you’re describing your professional experience and passion for the industry you’re applying to, you might feel like there’s a lot you need to explain.

But the key to writing a short cover letter is to cut away everything that doesn’t need to be there.

Hiring managers don't have time to lose, and they quickly skim through tons of applications. If you want your short cover letter to grab their attention, you need to make sure you’re only focusing on the most important information and that your text is easy to follow.

While editing your text, remove any mention of skills or experiences that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for. You want every sentence in your brief cover letter to be impactful and memorable, not a novel about your life story.

#5. Proofread Carefully

One of the biggest cover letter mistakes is forgetting to double-check for any spelling errors.

Typos and bad grammar are some of the biggest deal-breakers for hiring managers. In fact, nearly 80% of hiring managers will reject an application if they see spelling mistakes .

Always read your cover letter carefully to catch any mistakes, and use tools like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar.

You can even get a friend or relative to read your cover letter for you, just in case you and the spell-checking tool let something slip by.

#6. Use a Cover Letter Template

Design can’t be ignored when you’re writing a short cover letter.

After all, before the hiring manager reads your cover letter, they’re going to look at it. And with less text on the page, how your cover letter looks becomes increasingly important.

That’s why, when creating your cover letter, you have to carefully adjust the layout, tweak the page margins, set the line spacing, choose the most appropriate font, and make sure your text never exceeds the word count.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that hard.

Just use one of our cover letter templates ! Try our free resume builder and pick one of our resume templates to create a matching application in minutes.

We've collaborated with hiring experts worldwide to create templates that check all the boxes when it comes to industry requirements and visual appeal. Try them now for a stress-free application process!

Need some inspiration? Check out these short cover letter examples for different professions and levels of experience.

#1. College Student Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information:

Jamie Smith

College Student

555-123-4567

[email protected]

Sacramento, CA

linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

Amanda Johnson

Made Up Marketing Group

456 Maple Drive

Boston, MA 01235

Dear Ms. Johnson,

As a recent Boston University Business Administration graduate with a marketing focus, I am excited to apply for the entry-level marketing position at Made Up Marketing Group. My academic and hands-on experience, including a significant project that boosted a local bookstore's online sales by 20% in three months, has equipped me with solid marketing principles and digital tool proficiency.

My internship at Bright Innovations honed my skills in social media campaigns, consumer data analysis, and event coordination, deepening my understanding of consumer behavior and targeted marketing. I admire Made Up Marketing Group's innovative branding and commitment to team creativity and growth. I am eager to bring my background and passion to your dynamic team.

Looking forward to discussing how I can contribute to your company's success.

Jamie Smith

Check out a full college student cover letter example here.

#2. Substitute Teacher Short Cover Letter Example

Contact information:

Liam Thompson

Substitute Teacher

413-554-7890

[email protected]

Providence, RI

linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

Principal Jennifer Walters

St. Mary Academy - Bay View

Riverside, RI

Dear Principal Walters,

I'm eager to express my interest in the substitute teacher role at St. Mary Academy - Bay View for the 2023-2024 school year. My BA degree and varied teaching experience from early childhood to high school have honed my adaptability and ability to create engaging learning environments.

My commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive classroom aligns with St. Mary Academy's values. My organizational skills, strong work ethic, and genuine passion for education can help me effectively manage classrooms and keep students engaged. I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to your students' academic and personal growth.

Looking forward to discussing how my experience can support St. Mary Academy's mission.

Best regards,

Check out a full substitute teacher cover letter example here.

#3. Barista Short Cover Letter Example

Contact information: Alex Johnson Barista 555-789-1234 [email protected] Seattle, WA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Mr. John Smith Hiring Manager Brewista Café 123 Coffee Lane Seattle, WA

Dear Mr. Smith,

I'm eager to apply for the barista position at Brewista Café. With three years of hands-on experience, I'm confident I can bring the skill and dedication your team needs. My quick and accurate work resulted in a 20% tip increase in just three months, and I'm no stranger to busy shifts, often handling over 200 orders daily.

I excel at making various drinks quickly without compromising quality, ensuring customer satisfaction and team productivity. Additionally, I engage with customers, meeting their needs and recommending drinks based on their preferences. I always pitch in to help the team, be it restocking or cleaning, especially during slow business hours.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team.

Sincerely, Alex Johnson

#4. Nurse Practitioner Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Velma Rivers Board Certified Nurse Practitioner 555-123-4567 [email protected] Denver, CO linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Team Hearty Health Medical Inc. Denver, CO

Dear Hiring Team,

I am enthusiastic about the Nurse Practitioner position at Hearty Health Medical Inc. Your commitment to accessible and quality care aligns perfectly with my professional goals. With my Master of Science in Nursing, board certification, and extensive clinical experience, I am well-prepared to contribute to your telehealth platform.

My background includes treating a wide range of conditions and an active NP license in multiple states, ensuring I understand diverse healthcare needs. My proficiency in online healthcare tools and Independent Prescriptive Authority equips me to provide comprehensive care remotely.

I am excited about the opportunity to support your vision of making healthcare more accessible through telehealth. I look forward to discussing how my clinical expertise can help advance Hearty Health Medical's mission.

Please reach out to arrange an interview at your convenience.

Velma Rivers

Check out a full nurse practitioner cover letter example here.

#5. Attorney Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: John Smith Attorney 555-123-4567 [email protected] Arizona, USA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Manager Elevate Arizona, USA

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Junior Commercial Attorney position at Elevate. With over three years of legal practice experience, I have provided extensive transactional support to business clients, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, with an emphasis on NDAs.

Elevate's focus on enhancing contractual infrastructure deeply resonates with my commitment to delivering high-quality legal solutions. I am eager to review and negotiate contracts and work collaboratively within the team.

Elevate's dedication to innovation in the legal industry resonates with my career goals and values. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my legal skills and dedication to excellence to your team.

Sincerely, John Smith

Check out a full attorney cover letter example here.

#6. Retail Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jordan Martinez Retail Talent Specialist 123-456-7890 [email protected] Seattle, WA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Talent Management Team Aritzia

Dear Talent Management Team,

I'm excited about the Specialist Retail Talent Management position at Aritzia. Your dedication to fostering high-performing teams aligns perfectly with my work ethic and professional goals. I’m confident that my talent management experience in the world of retail will help me ensure the right fit, cultural integration, and team potential.

My focus has always been on fair practices, smooth transitions, and optimized compensation to support team stability and productivity. Your holistic approach to performance assessment resonates with me, and I believe I can help foster a motivated workforce.

I'm eager to bring my skills and passion to your team. Please feel free to contact me so that we may discuss how I can contribute to your growth and success.

Warm regards, Jordan Martinez

Check out a full retail cover letter example here.

#7. Actor Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Chris Parker Actor & Theater Enthusiast 555-123-4567 [email protected] Los Angeles, CA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Casting Director Local Theatre X Production X Los Angeles, CA

Dear Casting Director,

I'm thrilled about the Kids Production X casting call at Local Theatre Y. The captivating storyline aligns perfectly with my passion for children's theater. With experience in entertaining and engaging young audiences, I'm well-suited for vibrant characters.

I'm particularly drawn to Character Z, but open to other roles. My work ethic, dependability, and availability make me an excellent long-term addition to Local Theatre Y. I bring patience, enthusiasm, and a knack for connecting with kids.

I'm eager to contribute my acting prowess, energy, and dedication to Kids Production X. Please find my headshot and resume attached.

Looking forward to auditioning and discussing further.

Warm regards, Chris Parker

Check out a full actor cover letter example here.

#8. Digital Marketing Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jamie Williams Digital Marketing Associate 555-123-4567 [email protected] Austin, TX linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Alexandra Smith Marketing & Events Manager Marketing Agency X Austin, TX

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am excited about the Digital Marketing Associate position at Marketing Agency X. With over two years of digital marketing experience, I've led successful campaigns across various platforms, optimizing results and managing donor platforms.

My proficiency in tools like Google Analytics and strong project management skills can make me a valuable asset to your team. I am eager to contribute to your mission of enhancing brand awareness and fundraising through data-driven marketing.

Please contact me for an interview to explore how I can support your goals.

Sincerely, Jamie Williams

Check out a full digital marketing cover letter example here.

#9. IT Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Roger Valdorf Desktop Analyst 555-123-4567 [email protected] Denver, CO linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Wendy Welton Hiring Manager FakeTech Group Denver, CO

Dear Ms. Welton,

I'm writing to express my interest in the Desktop Analyst position at FakeTech Group. My experience in providing technical support, both on-site and remotely, aligns well with your company's values of innovation and user-focused technology.

I am drawn to FakeTech's commitment to continuous learning and inclusivity. Throughout my career, I've sought to deepen my technical knowledge and ensure all users feel valued.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills can benefit FakeTech Group. Please feel free to contact me to schedule a conversation.

Warm regards, Roger Valdorf

Check out a full IT cover letter example here.

#10. Sales Short Cover Letter Example

Alex Thompson Sales Representative 555-123-4567 [email protected] Austin, TX linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

Ms. Emily Stevens Hiring Manager The IT Support Center Austin, TX

Dear Ms. Stevens,

I'm writing to express my interest in the IT Support Center's Sales Representative role. With a strong background in sales and client relationship management, I believe I'm an ideal fit for this position.

My Business degree from the University of Texas and experience in sales have equipped me with essential skills, including proficiency in tools like Salesforce for efficient data management. In my current role at TechSolutions, I've successfully closed deals, boosted company revenue, and achieved high client retention rates.

I excel in connecting with decision-makers, understanding their needs, and working collaboratively within a team. I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and share your commitment to skill development and inclusive customer support.

I look forward to discussing how I can make a valuable impact. Please reach out to me via email or phone to arrange an interview.

Sincerely, Alex Thompson

Check out a full sales cover letter example here.

#11. Business Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: John Doe Business Development Specialist 555-123-4567 [email protected] New York, NY linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Chet Jones Hiring Manager Pear Inc. New York, NY

Dear Mr. Jones,

I came across the Business Development Representative role at Pear Inc. and was immediately intrigued. Your vision aligns with my passion for driving business growth through meaningful connections.

In my previous role, I consistently exceeded quarterly goals by at least 23%, showcasing my ability to communicate effectively with C-level executives and craft compelling proposals. I'm proficient in SalesForce and experienced in account management.

I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to Pear Inc.'s mission. Please contact me to schedule a discussion about my application.

Best wishes, John Doe

Check out a full business cover letter example here.

#12. Graphic Designer Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jordan Smith Graphic Designer 555-321-4321 [email protected] San Francisco, CA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Lucy Pleasant Hiring Manager Tech Company X San Francisco, CA

Dear Ms. Pleasant,

I discovered the Remote Graphic Designer role at Tech Company X and was instantly drawn to your creative approach and company culture.

With expertise in Adobe tools, project management, and social media, I've crafted impactful designs and collaborated effectively with diverse teams. My commitment to delivering quality work aligns with your values.

I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute my design skills and collaborate remotely with your team. Please contact me at the provided phone number or email address so that we may discuss my application further.

Sincerely, Jordan Smith

Check out a full graphic designer cover letter example here.

#13. Team Leader Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jessica Martin Team Leader 657-390-2145 [email protected] Orlando, FL linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Manager XYZ Digital Solutions Remote

I'm writing to express my interest in the Team Leader position at XYZ Digital Solutions. With extensive experience in leading teams and driving project success, I believe I'm well-suited for this role.

My leadership is marked by strong communication, fostering collaboration, and promoting innovation. I've successfully trained and mentored teams, enhancing productivity and building a supportive and goal-oriented culture. Proficient in digital tools, I enhance team efficiency and stay ahead of industry trends.

I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my proactive leadership and commitment to excellence to XYZ Digital Solutions. I look forward to discussing how my experience can contribute to your team's success.

Jessica Martin

Check out a full team leader cover letter example here.

#14. Receptionist Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Sarah Miller Front Desk Receptionist 555-123-4567 [email protected] San Francisco, CA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Manager Permanente Luxury Inn Santa Clara, CA 189 Sunflower Boulevard

Dear Front Desk Team,

I am excited to apply for the front desk receptionist role at the Permanente Luxury Inn, Santa Clara. My experience in customer service, cash handling, and efficient management of front desk operations aligns well with the requirements of this position.

I thrive in fast-paced environments, ensuring guests feel welcome while managing check-ins, check-outs, and cash transactions. My proficiency in keycard and POS systems, coupled with my ability to multitask, positions me to integrate seamlessly into your team.

I am confident that my commitment to excellent customer service will contribute to the Permanente Luxury Inn’s reputation for guest satisfaction. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills can align with your team's goals.

Please contact me to arrange an interview at your convenience.

Sarah Miller

Check out a full receptionist cover letter example here.

#15. Dental Assistant Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jane Smith Dental Assistant 555-123-4567 [email protected] Seattle, WA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Washington State Department of Corrections Health Services Team Seafair Lows, WA [email protected]

I'm applying for the Dental Assistant position at Seafair Lows Corrections Center. As a registered Dental Assistant with a comprehensive background in direct chairside assisting, patient communication, record-keeping, and inventory management, I am well-equipped to meet the demands of this role.

My experience extends to creating a comfortable environment for patients, maintaining meticulous records, and ensuring the smooth operation of dental procedures. I am adept at working within the unique parameters of a correctional facility, prioritizing quality care and strict adherence to safety protocols.

Enclosed are my resume and professional references for your review. I am keen to contribute my skills to the Seafair Lows Corrections Center team and would welcome the chance to discuss this opportunity further.

Thank you for considering my application.

Check out a full dental assistant cover letter example here.

Key Takeaways

You’ve made it to the end of our article!

Hopefully, now you feel confident about writing your short cover letter.

Before you go and submit your job application, let’s briefly go over the main points we discussed:

You should always include a cover letter with your job application, even though some hiring managers are divided about them. A short cover letter is a great choice to satisfy both types of hiring managers without taking a risk.
Short cover letters are recommended if you have less relevant experience or you’re changing careers. You can focus on the experience you do have and keep your text brief.
Pick an appropriate cover letter template to enhance your presentation. Use our free resume builder and choose a cover letter template to match, so you have a stylish job application that shows off your attention to detail.
Your short cover letter will probably take several drafts. The best way to write it is by asking yourself important questions and then shortening your text until you fit the desired word count.
Always proofread your cover letter before submitting it. Even a small typo or grammatical error could detract from your professionalism and make the hiring manager reject your application.

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Guides • Understanding Publishing

Last updated on May 30, 2023

How to Publish a Short Story: 3 Ways to Reach New Readers

Once you've gotten the hang of writing short stories, the next stage is to get them in front of readers — preferably ones who will appreciate your writing. In this post, we'll walk you through the most popular ways of getting a short story out into the world.

Three ways to publish a short story:

1. Submit them to literary magazines

2. take part in writing contests, 3. self-publish a short story anthology.

Literary magazines are the traditional home of short stories, where many writers first get their works showcased to an audience beyond their family and friends. Magazine publication is a tried and true method for getting eyes on your work and gaining followers (plus earning a small chunk of money along the way).

There are hundreds of magazines out there, ranging from the prestigious to the niche, so no matter what you’re writing, there will be a place for it. Luckily, it’s easy to submit a story, and you can break down the process into three simple steps.

Seek out suitable magazines

If you’re not an avid reader of literary magazines and already writing with a certain publication in mind, a great place to start is a place like Reedsy’s literary magazine directory. This handy resource does the hard work for you, listing hundreds upon hundreds of magazines. You can filter by the genre you’re writing in, whether they require a submission fee, the format they publish in, and much more.

As you discover new magazines, consider where your story fits best. Some factors to consider include:

🎭 Genre and topic . If you've written a historical romance, don't include a sci-fi publication in your submission list.

📝 Short story length and style. Some magazines look for flash fiction (under 1,000 words); some ask for 5,000 words per piece. Most lie somewhere in between. Publications sometimes also ask for specific writing styles, like epistolary, or set themes for the stories.

✅ Author requirements. Most magazines and competitions are open to international submissions from anyone at least 18 years old, but some might have other conditions.

🔄 Simultaneous submissions. Do you want to submit to several places at once? Not every magazine will accept this, and contests definitely don't.

📚 Multiple submissions. If you have more than one story on hand, you may want to submit a few at a time, although not every magazine will accept that either.

Make sure to double-check each magazine’s submission guidelines. This is usually located on the submissions page of their website and outlines any specific restrictions or wants the magazine may have, like the preferred font and spacing for your manuscript.

Be aware that some magazines will have specific submission windows or reading periods when they are open to receiving new stories. Sometimes, you’ll need to wait a little bit until their window opens again to submit your work to the perfect magazine.

Even once you’ve selected your targets, the work isn’t done yet — you’ll need to prepare your supporting material for your submission.

Make an impression with your cover letter

a writer flying in a cover letter that has become a paper airplane

Most magazines these days will have a digital submissions form, which usually includes a field for your cover letter.

To start, quickly introduce the story you’re submitting and its word count. You can talk about what inspired the story or give its basic premise here, but keep it short — a sentence or less is ideal. Then, move on to introducing yourself.

Essentially, this is your author bio , and the place for you to show off any credentials you have (or experience that ties into your submission). This could include other magazines you’ve been published in, any books you’ve written and published, any awards or accolades you’ve received, or anything else that showcases your writerly abilities.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any publishing credits to your name, though. Literary magazines are more than willing to take a chance on unknown authors and have long been the place where writers launch their careers.

To make your cover letter more personal, you should directly address the editors in your greeting and mention any recent stories from the magazine you’ve enjoyed. This shows you’ve done your research and have a good sense of what will fit in the publication — aka, your own story!

Your cover letter could look something like this:

Dear [Editor’s First and Last Name],

Please consider [Story Title], a [word count] [Genre] short story, for publication in your magazine. I am an emerging writer; if this story gets accepted, it will be my first published work.

This story is being submitted to several publications, and I will let you know if I hear back from other places.

I am finishing my MA in Creative Writing at [University Name]. When I’m not writing, I usually work on my webcomic, experiment with watercolor painting, or go on hikes in the countryside with my partner.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Name]

Once you send your story out for consideration, there's still one small step left.

Track your progress

If you’re sending your short story out to multiple magazines through different methods and platforms, it can be easy to lose track of where you’re at. Finding a way to keep this information organized will keep your stress levels low and keep you on top of your submissions.

You can set this up in a document or make notes by hand, but to save you time we have a handy little submissions tracker spreadsheet filled out and ready to go. Download it here!

FREE RESOURCE

Story Submissions Tracker

Stay organized on your journey to find the right home for your short stories.

It's a good way to see where your stories are, how long you want to keep waiting for a response, and where you can go next if your attempt was unsuccessful. Keep in mind that usually editors and judges take 8-12 weeks to get back to you, but this does vary from publication to publication, and their submission guidelines page may give more specific information.

If you don’t have a story ready to go or need some inspiration to get started, a writing contest might be up your alley.

Contests might also offer added bonuses, like getting a blurb or introduction from a judge or getting a review by a literary agency, among other things. It can be a great place to gain some recognition since your success in a contest really is measured by your writing, not who you know or previous publication. All the judges care about is that you have a good story and tell it well. There are many writing contests out there — all you have to do is find them.

Search for contests

There are just as many writing contests out there as literary magazines and they provide a great opportunity for beginning writers to build practice and credibility. And get published, of course! Along with a cash prize, winning a contest often means you’ll be published in an organization’s own magazine or website, or in an anthology alongside other winners or shortlisted stories.

Some contests that publish anthologies are the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize , the BBC National Short Story Award , and the Bath Short Story Award .

Publishers , writer’s guilds, and other literary organizations often host contests, so if there are any in your area, see if they have a contest you can enter. Otherwise, Google is your best friend. But always be on the lookout for any scams. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

💡Want to know how to spot publishing scams? Check out this guide for tips on how to avoid publishing scams .

If you want to avoid scams and take some of the research time out of your browsing, Reedsy’s writing contests directory has over 500 verified, up-to-date contests you can enter.

Try out prompts-based contests

Instead of a traditional writing contest, why not try a prompts-based contest? Take inspiration from a prompt rather than racking your brain for an idea. The challenge of fitting a story to a specific topic while still remaining unique among dozens of other entries is a great writing exercise. And posting it on a community forum will give your writing exposure, perhaps gaining new fans who want to see more of your work.

If that interests you, Reedsy has its own Prompts contest you can enter. You can choose from one of five prompts every week and create a story based on them. It’s just five dollars to enter, and if you win, there’s a chance you could be published in Prompted , Reedsy’s very own literary magazine.

In many ways, self-publishing has completely changed the landscape of traditional publishing, and that applies even to the realm of short stories. If you’d rather not wait for your work to be accepted by a literary magazine or win a writing contest, you can take the power into your own hands by self-publishing an anthology of your short stories instead. To ensure that you have a satisfying and cohesive book that readers can discover and fall in love with, check out these three tips.

Note: The information below isn’t an exhaustive how-to list, but some important points to remember. If you’d like more detailed information about self-publishing, check out our in-depth guide here !

Pick an overarching theme for your anthology

A person sits on a book and writes in a notebook

One of the biggest pros of publishing your own anthology is you aren’t limited by the requirements of an outside organization, whether that pertains to topic or word count. The world is your oyster, and you can stretch your imagination's limits. However, the best anthologies aren’t simply a collection of an author’s work, but in some way, form a cohesive whole.

The easiest way to do this is by giving your anthology a central theme. Your stories could explore an idea from different angles or all be set in the same place. This connection doesn’t need to be obvious. In fact, it can be relatively loose, so long as when you put everything together, no story feels like the odd one out.

For example, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw explores the stories of Black women and girls whose lives are caught in a bind between the wants of the church and their own desires. While every story has this overarching theme, Philyaw discusses wide-ranging ideas from sexuality to generational trauma in each tale, and no two stories are exactly alike.

If you need some inspiration, check out published short story anthologies to see how other authors have done it. Or you could hire a developmental editor to look over your collection and help you streamline it.

With the content down, you still have to consider how your collection physically looks.

Make sure your book looks professional

When you’re self-publishing, you need to consider much more than just the writing of your book. Another important job is ensuring that your book is properly formatted . It will make your anthology look more professional and overall make for a better reading experience.

Even if you have no design knowledge, there are plenty of free easy-to-use tools that can help. We might be biased, but we recommend the Reedsy Book Editor. It’s a free book formatting app that is full of useful features. You can insert page breaks, style your paragraph and chapter titles, create a table of contents, and much more. Once you’ve finished working on the interior, you can export ebooks or print files that you can then import to your printing service of choice.

FREE FORMATTING APP

The Reedsy Book Editor

Format your manuscript for print or EPUB with a single click.

To make your book look even more professional, consider hiring a book cover designer to create a stunning cover and establish a visual brand that you can replicate for future anthologies. While the old adage advises us not to, readers really do judge a book by its cover, so having something that looks good and stands out will help you draw people in just as much as the rest of your marketing materials.

Now your book is ready to go. But as you prepare to officially launch it, consider what you can do to market it.

Start building your author platform

As an independent author, getting the word out about your book is incredibly important. You are your own marketing team, and there are many things you can do to support your book, from sending out ARCs to setting up Amazon ads. One thing you should definitely be focusing on is building a following; it creates longevity and a dedicated reader base who can help you promote your book in the future.

Capturing your readers onto your newsletter or on social media will allow you to nurture your readership and stay connected with them. It’ll also be helpful in the future as you now have a ready audience to whom you can market any future anthologies (or even novels if you decide to go long-form later).

You can do this by having a link to your socials and mailing list at the end of your book — and maybe entice readers further by offering a free bonus story when they sign up!

For a more in-depth look at how to create an author platform and market your book, download a free copy of Reedsy’s How to Market a Book , written by our co-founder Ricardo Fayet.

Whatever path you choose, publishing a short story is a great way to gain new readers and establish yourself in the literary world. There’s a place somewhere out there for your writing, so take a chance and find your audience today.√

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

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Writing contests, make money writing, hottest topics, cover letters for short stories.

When I first began submitting my short stories for publication, I had no idea that cover letters existed until I’d chosen to submit my story to a publisher whose submission guidelines required that a cover letter accompany every manuscript. Once aware of cover letters, however, I found myself confused. So I conducted a bit of research in an attempt to discover what type of information should be included in such a letter. If you are just embarking on the writer’s journey and seeking to submit your first short story manuscript, hopefully this article will assist you as some guides on cover letters have helped me in the past.

Despite any advice I offer, however, please be sure to read a publication’s current submission guidelines and only send what the editor(s) request. Disobeying submission guidelines can sometimes lead to an automatic rejection of your short story. Some editors do not require you to send cover letters with your short story manuscripts, but when a cover letter is required try to think of your letter as a courteous, professional introduction to you.

Before we go any further, though, I would like to stress once more that this article was written with mostly a certain type of short story writer in mind–the one who, like myself, is predominately interested in submitting short stories to small press publications that publish genre fiction. Particularly publications like those listed at Ralan.Com whose editors rarely request query letters and are willing to publish unsolicited short story manuscripts. If you are not this sort of writer but still interested in this article, then please grab your magnifying glass and come along with me to take a closer look at cover letters for short stories.

In regards to short story submissions, cover letters are usually brief letters containing one to three short paragraphs, and is most often paper-clipped in front of your manuscript’s first page when you snail mail your submission. If you are submitting your manuscript through email, then your cover letter comes before your story as the main body of your email, and still serves as your introduction. Whether you are submitting through postal mail or email, your cover letter should be single-spaced, written in standard block or semi-block format, and double-spaced between paragraphs. If you are mailing your manuscript, then you should consider typing your cover letter on plain white 8 ½” by 11″ paper, using a font such as 12 point Times New Roman in black. A hardcopy of a cover letter should only be one page in length with your typeface taking up about half of the page.

As stated, the number of paragraphs in a cover letter can vary. But, regardless of how many paragraphs there are, some information that is usually listed in cover letters includes your story’s title and your story’s word count. If you are submitting your manuscript through mail, as opposed to email, you might also want to state that a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) is enclosed, and that there is no need to return the manuscript.

Here are a few other tips you might want to keep in mind when preparing your letter:

1. Remember to keep your letter short. Avoid including any irrelevant personal information that doesn’t pertain to your story submission. There is no need to include your life history or anything else that doesn’t relate to your story. Avoid giving a detailed description of your short story, as well.

2. Make sure to address your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible. Editors’ names are usually listed with a publication’s submission guidelines. When this is not the case, try to research market listings or find the masthead of the publication to locate the editor’s name. If unsure of an editor’s gender, then consider using the editor’s full name; for example, “Dear Pat Lewis,” or “Dear Editor Lewis.” In case of initials, “Dear J. T. Marshall,” or “Dear Editor Marshall,” should be appropriate. Avoid addresing an editor by his or her first name unless the editor has used your first name, or signed his or her first name in subsequent correspondence.

3. Remain positive. Never write about how your story has been rejected in the past, if that is the case. There’s no need to mention that you’re unpublished, either, unless the editor requests such information. Most editors aren’t concerned about whether or not you have been previously published. When they are interested in knowing of your publishing status, it will likely benefit writers. For example, mentioning that you have not been professionally published in your cover letter to the editor at Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine would be appropriate because the editor is especially interested in seeking short stories from such writers. EQMM, as the publication is also called, even has a “Department of First Stories” set up to receive submissions from writers who haven’t been published professionally. Otherwise, don’t worry about mentioning you’re unpublished.

4. Be professional in crafting your letter. Resist making witty comments or statements that hype your story. It’s highly unlikely that an editor won’t appreciate your attempts, and might form a less than favorable view of your submission package. Avoid making self-deprecating remarks about yourself and your writing. It is understandable that you might be nervous about submitting and are grappling with self-doubt about your writing skills, but there’s no need to express those feelings in your letter. And lastly, remember to double-check your spelling and grammar–it matters just as much as it does with your short story manuscript. A cover letter containing misspellings and poor grammar will probably lead an editor to expect the same lack of professionalism in your manuscript.

Below are two samples. Sample A represents a cover letter that would accompany a snail mail submission. Sample B represents one that would accompany an email submission.

Your Name Your Address Your Telephone Number Your Email Address

Editor’s Name Publication’s Title Publication’s Address

Dear [Editor’s Name]:

Please consider my 2,500-word, previously unpublished manuscript, “Your Story’s Title,” for publication at Any Title Magazine . A self-addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed for your reply. There is no need to return the manuscript should my story not interest you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Please consider my 2,500-word, previously unpublished manuscript, “Your Story’s Title,” for publication at Any Title Magazine . I have sent my story as an .rtf attachment, as the submission guidelines suggested.

Best wishes on making a good impression with your cover letter, and on achieving your goal of becoming a published author.

About the Author:

C. M. Clifton is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

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Award-Winning Editor of Clarkesworld Magazine, Forever Magazine, The Best Science Fiction of the Year, and More

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Short Story Cover Letters

By Neil Clarke

On 08/17/2020

In anthologies , clarkesworld magazine , slush , writing

Let me preface this post by saying:

These are my preferences for cover letters when submitting a story to Clarkesworld Magazine or one of my anthologies. This is not a standard, though other editors may feel the same way.
Most cover letters are awful, so I read them last. I don’t want them influencing my opinion of a story before I’ve even read it. I’ve never rejected a story because of the cover letter.
This post will be updated as necessary. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

How to address a cover letter

You can skip Dear Neil, Dear Mr. Clarke, Dear Editor, Dear Editor and first readers, etc. It doesn’t have any impact. Simple mistakes here can sometimes work against you. For example, “Dear Sheila” tells me you either meant to send this to Asimov’s or they’ve already rejected it. Every editor I know has had this sort of thing happen to them. Some hate it. Some find it amusing. I couldn’t care less, so just skip the niceties and dive right into the substance.

What should be in a cover letter?

There’s a few things that might have me view your story in a different light.

if there’s a particular aspect to this story that pulls from your professional experience (for example, physicist, historian, astronaut, musician, etc.) or personal experience (cultural, regional, temporal, etc.)

You don’t have to “write what you know” but if you happen to know, it’s good that I know you do.

if you are a non-native English speaker

I have immense difficulty learning other languages, so I’m not going to hold a non-native speaker to the same standards for spelling and grammar. Your approach to storytelling might even be a bit non-standard to an native English speaker. This is important to know for the evaluation and (if accepted) editing phases.

if you are under 18 years old

I’m impressed. I never would have done something like this at your age. Like the non-native speakers, I’m going to cut you a little more slack on the grammar and spelling. (Not that I’m particularly hung up on that being perfect to start with.) It does, however, have an impact should we choose to accept your work: your parents or legal guardian will be required to co-sign the contract.

Since I read the cover letter last, think of the above items as having the potential to make me go back and read a bit further. This even applies in instances where I haven’t been the first reader. (Editors and first readers often stop reading a story when they no longer think it will work for a publication.)

if you are previously unpublished

I’m not buying names. I’m buying stories. What you’ve sold previously (or not) doesn’t mean this story will be any better or worse. That said, every editor I know loves to be the first person to publish an author’s work. It’s something that should be celebrated and I often don’t find out until after the story has been published. Telling me up-front helps avoid that.

if you are submitting a translation

You should tell me where the story was originally published (if it has been), what the original language is, your relationship to the story (author or translator), and whether or not you have the approval of whoever holds the rights on the original (sometimes this isn’t the author or their estate). The translator’s name should also be in the manuscript, typically under the author’s byline.

if you are submitting a reprint

We don’t accept reprints at Clarkesworld , but this does apply to any of the reprint anthologies I edit. I need to know where and when the story was originally published and if there are any restrictions (usually time, region, or language-based) in place.

if you aren’t the author

Yes, there are legitimate reasons this could happen. The most common is that the person submitting the work is the author’s agent or otherwise represents their estate. It also common with translations. We will verify this before issuing a contract.

if you selected “other” for genre

Since it doesn’t fit in one of the categories we’ve listed, please let us know what genre you think it is.

If none of the above applies to you, then a simple “Thank you for considering my story” is more than enough.

What shouldn’t be in a cover letter?

Our submission system already asks for title, genre, word count, and email address. Repeating them here is pointless
Mailing address (should be on the first page of the story) or phone number
A laundry list of everyone that has ever published you. Never include more than three, but honestly, you should just skip this information entirely
Bank or PayPal information
A summary of your story

Ultimately, I prefer your cover letter to be very short. If your cover letter is long (for reasons other than those positives I’ve mentioned), you’ve likely done something wrong.

Best Science Fiction of the Year Volume 5, Table of Contents

The best science fiction of the year: 2020 submission guidelines, 81 comments.

Add Comment →

Carolyn O'Brien

Very helpful information,

Angela Panayotopulos

Good to know! Thanks!

Des Browning

“We don’t accept reprints at Clarkesworld, but this does to any of the reprint anthologies I edit”

This doesn’t read correctly, specifically “this does”. Should it be “this doesn’t apply” ?

Neil Clarke

Should have been “this does apply”

Oyeledun Jehofanifemi

About the Co_signing of the contract, how is it going to be possible with international writers

We work with international writers all the time and have never had any problem with receiving digital signatures on their contracts. Sometimes they sign through the PDF and sometimes they print, sign, and send us a scan or photo of the contract.

Hello, If I am writing with 8 other writers, and we would like to explain how this story came to be, would you like us to include that in the cover letter?

If you must, please keep it short. While it may be interesting, it isn’t relevant to the evaluation process.

Gim Patrick

Hello, I’m 15 years old right now and I’m from San Andres Island, Colombia. My mom already knows I want to start with this and supports me. ¿Do I still need a co-sign?

You can submit stories without needing any signatures, but if we accept one for publication, a parent or legal guardian will need to co-sign the contract we send you. This is a legal requirement for us when working with minors (anyone under 18).

Simon Kibunyi

Hey what if I rewrite a story that was written centuries ago,put my own twist into it. It’s important to also say that these stories are royalty free meaning I can do anything I want to do with them..do you accept them?

Retellings/reinterpretations of public domain works (stories, myths, legends, etc.) are quite common and we have published some. I would recommend mentioning the work that inspired yours in the cover letter.

Wow thanks for quick response…I will definitely do that..Thank you

Is there a way we can retain audio rights? It doesn’t say anything about having a podcast, so if I would like to submit the short story to another podcast, would that be possible?

And I was wondering about reprints. I know that most podcasts accept them, but I was wondering if it worked the other way around. If my short gets accepted for a podcast, but has not been published yet (in text form), can I still send it out to magazines after it’s in audio and published?

Clarkesworld requires audio rights. (We podcast all the stories that appear in our magazine.) If a story has been previously published by a podcast, it would no longer have the first rights we also require.

Can we still publish our own version after you publish the audio, or can we use your version? Would it be ok to use pointers on our website? Once I get one, that is.

We have exclusive rights to published works for six months from date of publication. After that you may reprint or publish the story elsewhere. The audio edition cannot be repurposed as that version of the narration is ours. You can, however, create a new recording of your own. You are also allowed to link to the published versions on our website.

Issac Strom

Would it be possible for you to offer an example of what you consider to be an exemplary cover letter?

I would be extremely appreciative. In any case, thank you very much for your time in writing out this useful advice.

Not including one was a deliberate move on my part. The above criteria can result in a variety of “exemplary” (by my standards) cover letters and providing an example of just one might mislead someone who needed another.

That said, merely “good” is good enough. If everyone followed the guidance of the last paragraph of this post, that would be a great start.

I would like to say, thank you very much for taking the time to make these guidelines crystal clear and easy to understand.. I look forward to submitting my work soon.

Thank you. I look forward to reading your stories.

I have a quick question, I know it might sound silly but I think it’s better to ask and be corrected than to make the mistake anyways. The short story that I have written is up to 20,000 words, I’m wondering if I could include chapters in it or it’s forbidden to do so.

Do what you think is appropriate for the story. Something that small won’t alter our evaluation of it. If we accept it and think it isn’t quite right, we’d discuss it with you during the editing phase.

Nithiya Shree

Hello Neil Clarke Sir. I want to introduce myself to you because I got very much inspiration from you. When I searching to Chakesworld for submission I saw ” Award Winning Editor” this impress me Soo much.

I’m Nithiya Shree from Myanmar ( Burmese). I’m 18. I’m finished my high school when I’m 16 and now I’m trying to be an author. As above you mentioned sir, I’m not English native speaker. I have only English intermediate level. But sir I will try my best to submit my story to your team. Also I’m not previously published. Again I’m not an author now. Even though I’m none of them, Can I able to become an author Sir ?

Now Sir I’m starting my plot. One day I will be as you.

This comment may br disturb to you, I’m sorry for that. As you said, I’m freely to comment. I hope it will not agitate you.

Hi Nithiya, You don’t need to be a published author (in English or any other language) to submit stories to Clarkesworld. We are happy to see works by new writers from all over the world. I wish you the best of luck with your writing and hope to see submissions from you over at Clarkesworld someday.

Nithiya shree

Thank you so much Sir.

Evonne M. Biggins

Hello, Clark,

I appreciate that you take questions. A couple years ago, I sent three stories to the non-profit state writing league. They were printed in a book with many other members’ stories, but whoever printed/edited them scrambled sentences, changed dates and locations, didn’t indent paragraphs. We were all very upset. Mine were my favorite stories. We weren’t paid for them, but the league made money from them. The league recently folded, no longer exists. So, are those stories considered previously published and not publishable or can we change the stories and the titles and be able to submit them?

Thank you, Evonne M. Biggins.

Published badly is still published. Even corrected, you won’t be able to sell them as originals anymore. They’ll be reprints from here on out. Changes would need to be substantial before someone would consider them as a new story. Changing names, formatting, and correcting errors doesn’t achieve that. Not surprised that the league folded if that’s how they treated the writers they worked with.

OMG. I meant to start with the correct spelling of your first and second name.

A lesson was learned on my part, sorry!

🙂 No worries. Happens all the time.

Hi Neil Clarke 🙂 ,

I expected that reply, and thanks again. I agree; those stories meant a lot to us, and the “leaders” of our chapter failed us. I’ll think up an even better story to send to you.

Hi, I was just wondering, do you consider stories with long, descriptive and slightly philosophical sections, or do you prefer fast- moving and plot based work? Thank you, Catrina

I don’t see it as an either/or situation. Happy to consider both approaches.

Thank you for the quick reply.

Ayesha javed

Hello Clark , I just turned 18 and want to become a story writer. I want to publish a story that I have been working on for the last couple of months. I have never published before and don’t know much about it. The story that I have been working on is in volumes and each volume has roughly 5000 words. I don”t have anyone to guide me so can you please tell me if I can publish my story in volumes

Short stories are usually submitted and considered by publishers individually. Even if we were to accept the first one, each one after that would still be considered on its own individual merits. We would also expect each story to stand on its own, meaning that someone could read story #3 without having to have read #1 and #2. If each story is dependent on the prior installment, you may be serializing a novel (depending on many 5K installments you have). While there are some current magazines that have published serialized novels (I can think of two in recent years), we’re not one of them. That said, we have published some short stories that have eventually been expanded into novels and published elsewhere.

Thank You for the guidance.

Evangeline Mmayie

Hello Clarke,

I have two questions concerning the type of story we are to submit. Should it be YA or adult SF/F?

Also, you stated you don’t want a story about rapists. But what if the rapist is the villain and the crime occurred long before the story begins?

Doris Antonio Balica

Hello Neil,

Continuing on what Ayesha previously asked, but somewhat different, could stories be published separately—and at a later date from each-other— in, let’s say two volumes, if the second one is not an actual continuation of the first, nor a “prequel”? Instead, the plot of the second volume occurs at the same time and is simply seen from the perspective of other characters / civilization, barely named in the first volume, or not at all. The plot culminates in the same ending, there are some repeating scenes and dialogues, but a different point of view, the stories do stand on their own, as someone could read #2 without reading #1 and vice-versa. Could the second volume be accepted (providing the first one is)?

So two stories happening in the same world at the same time, but told from two different points-of-view? I remember reading a book, many years ago, that did that. The book was evenly split between the two points of view and you could read either half first.

It is possible that could work in short fiction, but the amount of repeated content could become problematic (since short fiction is paid per-word, the amount of recycled word-for-word content might become a red flag for an editor/publisher) and as you said, the story ends the same way, so something else would have to stand out to make up for the spoiled ending. The latter is the same problem a lot of retellings face.

I wouldn’t discount the possibility this could work, but I think it might be harder than selling two very different stories.

Thank you for the reply, my first plan was to blend them together in a single story, but it would’ve had too many main and side characters even for a novella. I’m looking forward to submitting the first story soon and see how it goes from there.

Also, you stated you don’t want a story about rapists. But what if the rapist is the villain and the crime occurred long before the story begins?

Our audience is primarily adults, but adults read both, so it doesn’t matter which.

I don’t have enough information to make that call. Submit the story. The worst that happens is we’ll say no.

Okay, thank you

Robert Lewis

Can you withdraw after submission?

If one were to notice an error or a glut of errors would one be able to withdraw and submit a revision? A mark of the unprofessional, I know. Haven’t quit my day job yet.

Sure. If you contact us, we can remove the submission. You’ll have to resubmit and that will move you to the back of the queue. That said, if it’s just a few spelling errors, I wouldn’t worry about it. That’s not enough to sway our opinion.

Greg Osadec

After reading the original post and the comments, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything for me to include in a cover letter.

Is it okay to write one that’s just a few sentences (such as these examples from Strange Horizons: http://strangehorizons.com/submit/fiction-submission-guidelines/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/ ) or skip it altogether?

If none of the above applies to you, then a simple “Thank you for considering my story” is more than enough.

Oh jeez, I just noticed this in the original post. I’m embarrassed that I missed it. Thanks for your patience!

Do you accept high fantasy with a sword and sorcery vibe?

I need to write my details in the story, like an address, an account number, or do it in a cover letter.

Address is part of the standard first page information in the document containing your story and there is no need to replicate it in the cover letter. Account number is never necessary in a submission. That should only come up if a story is accepted for publication.

Can I submit a story based on science fiction, martial arts and fantasy.

Chris Wozney

I love the clarity and directness of these instructions. It’s quite clear that there are human beings (who are attempting to be judicious) on the receiving end of submissions, not a sorting algorithm.

My husband has written an excellent story, but he doesn’t have any confidence that it could be published, so he’s reluctant to submit it anywhere. Could I submit it for him and then (one hopes) surprise him with an offer to publish if you choose it?

A story shouldn’t be submitted without the author’s permission, even with the best of intentions.

Hi, can i write story with my native Malay language? I from Malaysia..thanks

Yesss, this is super informative. If we want to use a pseudonym, though, would we leave that in the cover letter, or just use it as our name in the information?

It doesn’t need to be in the cover letter. It should be in the story attached to the submission. The standard header should include your legal name and contact information. Your pseudonym would go under the title.

Perfect, thanks!

Hello Mr. Clarke,

Thank you for the clear guidelines! A lot of places it’s a shot in the dark. Stupid question: if I submit work to you folks and it is rejected, does this impact future submissions (assuming that the standard waiting period is observed etc.)?

I am trying to determine the fine line between persistence and being a nuisance.

Thanks in advance.

All the best, Vivian

Every submission is a clean slate. Previous rejections or acceptances have no bearing on how we consider the next one.

Thank you for clarifying!

Patricia C.

For the coming spanish submission process, the cover letter should be in spanish or in english if that is possible?

The cover letter for stories submitted during the Spanish Language Submissions Window can be in English or Spanish. Whichever is more comfortable for you.

What are the chances that I would be allowed to create the podcast (given the acceptance of my diatribe) myself. I have some experience of producing podcasts to a broadcast standard, and the equipment to do so.

We’d be open to discussing it, but if its a deal-breaker, we’d want to know that at time of submission.

Thank you Neil, it wouldn’t be a condition though..

Thanks so much for supplying this page (and all the other informative pieces you’ve written) to help us burgeoning writers. I was nervous about what to write re.cover letter, until I found your handy notes. Made it much easier than I thought it would be to submit a story. Now, I just have to find a nail and ready it for my rejection letter 🙂

Vishvanathan

i have been written the story in my own imagination and i also referred many movies stories and also some comics but i have been written with my own words and combination of those stories can i submit this type of work. should i need to submit any audio with this work.

if my work was submitted today after how many days i will be get my payment because i have been dropped out my collage and i have been started some side hustle so i found you i have been writing stories from my age of 16 and now i am 20 i have 4 years of experience so i think i can make this

And i have a doubt with the payment if u are giving 12 cents per word means 1000 words i will be receive120 dollars right or is there any calculation if there can you explain me

Howdy. I wonder if you have got a cover letter example on pdf format.

Dafny Anessa Guiali

Thank you so much!

Valerie Cole

I just tried to submit a story with a cover letter, and the system wouldn’t let me enter anything after 78 words. I swear, my cover letter was only 114 words anyway. Did I do something wrong? Thanks.

We have a 450 character limit on the cover letter. We mean it when we say we prefer short cover letters. The cap was put in place to push people in the right direction. Before that, we were seeing far too many 500+ word cover letters.

Having never done a cover lette rmyself, I’d love to see an example of one that I can try to match in terms of template.

Samuel Finn

I just tumbled to your comment section. To keep this brief I’m curious about your ask that submissions don’t include “easy FTL travel,” and wondering what constitutes acceptable FTL travel. If you rule out FTL travel you rule out a lot of sci-fi, don’t you? You can’t reasonably get anywhere outside our solar system without it, and how will any aliens reach us? I just submitted a story to you that includes FTL travel, which derives from an episode in a series I’m writing where I do give an explanation for how it works, perhaps lame and not too technical but at least something. Thanks

I suppose that the “acceptable” FTL travel is based in science, not simply a device to pull the plot forward. The modifications in the laws of physics that make the travel possible must be reasonable (plausibility) and be the same for everything else that depend on these laws, whether the thing is directly related to FTL or not (consistency). It may sound a little restrictive, but that’s how I do.

Let’s say that, for your FTL device to work, there is no conservation of energy. Ok, your device creates power from nowhere and the ship crosses the galaxy etc. But, what happens when you, standing on the surface of a planet and subject to gravity, throws a rock up in the air? Will it come back down? Maybe. Or maybe it will reach a height and stay frozen there as if there’s no gravity, or it will accelerate forever and escape the planet. You see, rock throwing has nothing in common with FTL travel, except that conservation of energy limits both situations.

Nothing stops you from saying that the device works by opening a wormhole to tap energy from a star, for example, as long as it is plausible and consistent.

We’re really just trying to eliminate the implausible and hand-wavy stuff. Think about the consequences of having this ability, power necessary to drive it, and its use. Think about how this changes our understanding of physics and society and what else that might impact. Something this big would change many things. A world where this can happen will be forever changed by it.

How To Write A Short Cover Letter (With Examples)

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Find a Job You Really Want In

When applying for a job you will want to make sure your cover letter has your qualifications and why you are the right person for the job. This sounds like an easy task, right?

While it may sound easy to do, recruiters and hiring managers don’t have the time to read through every application in detail. Sometimes a cover letter that is short and sweet is what you need to grab their attention without wasting their time.

We will go over why you should use a short cover letter, when its appropriate, and how to write one while providing some examples.

Key Takeaways:

A short cover letter should be about 100-250 words broken down into three to four paragraphs.

You should use a short cover letter if you are an entry level employee, if you are emailing your cover letter, or if you are submitting your application online.

Your cover letter should highlight your qualifications and sell you as the ideal candidate.

How To Write A Short Cover Letter (With Examples)

Why Use a Short Cover Letter

When to write a short cover letter, how to write a short cover letter, formatting a short cover letter.

You stand out. When you use a short cover letter, you will stand out from the other candidates. A hiring manager will likely be reading a lot of cover letters, and if yours is shorter from the rest, it will stick out and they will remember it.

You can highlight easier. A shorter letter lets you highlight your qualifications without burying it in fluff and buzzwords. It will also give the hiring manager enough information before, while you’re still able to give more information during an interview.

Time-saving. As said before, a hiring manager is likely reading a lot of cover letters. If yours is short, they are more likely to read yours over the long ones.

If you’re applying for a high-level executive position, it makes sense for you to write closer to 400 words.

An entry-level employee. You won’t have as much experience as those high-level execs so an entry-level cover letter should be closer to 200 words, or even less.

Email cover letter. Emails are short and usually to the point by nature. Email cover letters should not be long. Otherwise, it would look like a gigantic block of text that the hiring manager will likely not even bother with.

Electronic application. If you are submitting your cover letter through an online application, you will need to keep it short. Many of those supplied text boxes have strict character limits.

You’re not tied to the above scenarios. If you don’t feel like the position calls for a long cover letter, then don’t include a lengthy attachment. You should still include a cover letter, though. Just keep it short. Think short story, not novel.

A short cover letter does pose an interesting challenge. There is a lot of information you want to convey, and you have so much space to do so.

Generally, a cover letter is about half a page in length and consists of 200-400 words broken into three to four paragraphs. The same cannot be said for a short cover letter.

You can still include all of the same elements you see in a regular length cover letter. You just have to be more selective with the words you use and the achievements you highlight. Here’s how to write a short cover letter:

Cut the fluff. Nobody wants fluffy cover letters. Despite how it sounds, fluff is actually a technical term. It means adding more information than is really necessary. So cut the fluff and remove unnecessary details.

You may find it easier to remove the fluff after you’ve finished your cover letter. Or, you may find it easier to be aware of it as you write and avoid it altogether. Your preference really matters.

But, how do you cut the fluff? Simple.

Avoid adjectives. Sure, adjectives liven up your writing, but this isn’t a creative writing piece. It’s a cover letter. You don’t have to cut them completely, but you should use them sparingly.

Avoid buzzwords. Try not to fill up your sentences with words like self-motivated, results-oriented, deadline-driven, or team-oriented. They just make your writing feel bulkier.

Write concisely. Get to your point quickly. If you can shorten the sentence, do it. Be careful, though. Sometimes when we write concisely, it comes off as terse or rude. Your tone really matters, so be aware of it.

Focus on relevant skills and experience. Technically, any cover letter you write should focus on the skills , experience, and achievements that relate to the position you’re applying for.

In a short cover letter, you want to be very selective. Use the job description to identify the qualifications and skills they find most important and focus on those.

Use bullet points to your advantage. Seeing a bulleted list in the middle of a cover letter is completely normal. Many job applicants use bullet points to highlight their most attention-grabbing (and relevant) qualifications and achievements.

Those bullet points can make a bigger impact in a short cover letter. You can include more in fewer words.

Focus on the value. Your cover letter should be conveying your value. Focus your attention on what you can bring to the position and the company.

As a general rule, the format of your cover letter should not change much, no matter the length. The biggest difference between a short cover letter and a regular length cover letter is the delivery method.

Your short cover letter should include :

Header. If you are emailing your cover letter or submitting it via an electronic application portal, you will not need to include a header . If you are submitting it more traditionally, then you will still need to include the header at the top.

Your header should look like this:

Your full name (Optional) Your current address Your phone number Your professional email address Your online portfolio (Optional) Your website, LinkedIn Date of submission Hiring manager’s name Hiring manager’s title within the company Company name (Optional) Company address

Greeting (Salutation). Regardless of how you are submitting your cover letter, you will need to address it properly . “Dear [ hiring manager’s name ]” is the standard. If you can’t locate the name of the hiring manager, you can use a more generic greeting. But, you should never use “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”.

Opening lines. Your opening lines should capture the reader’s attention and convince them to keep reading.

Body paragraph. This is where you will highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember to pull information from the job description to help you determine which qualifications and achievements to focus on.

Closing lines. End your cover letter with a strong call-to-action. Give the hiring manager a reason to reach out to you.

Sign-off. Similar to your greeting, there is a right and a wrong way to close your letter. Even if you are submitting via email, you should use a formal closing such as “Sincerely”, “Respectfully”, “ Thank you ”, or “Best regards”.

You may also want to include your contact information below your name. This is especially true if you are excluding a header.

Example Answer 1: Short Email Cover Letter:

Subject: Customer Service Representative – Eloise Greene Dear Ms. Chatner, XYZ Department Store is known for its incredible customer service. I believe I would make an excellent addition to your team, and I have the customer satisfaction ratings to prove it. I take pride in the companies I serve, and it shows through my professionalism and enthusiasm. At ABC Shoppe, I was regularly mentioned by name in customer feedback surveys and had the most positive feedback ratings each week. You will find that I develop an excellent rapport with my customers, solve customer problems quickly and efficiently, and can work well independently. My coworkers and superiors know that there is no one more dedicated, reliable, or efficient than me. I look forward to speaking with you about this position. Sincerely, Eloise Greene 555-123-4567 [email protected] linkedin.com/in/eloisegreene478

Example Answer 2: Sales Rep Short Cover Letter:

Tanner Gaddas Atlanta, GA 555-123-4567 [email protected] linkedin.com/in/tannergaddas January 1, 2021 Genevieve Hudson VP of Human Resources 123 Sellers Dear Ms. Hudson, As a talented sales professional with eight years of proven history generating new leads, converting leads to customers, and driving growth in my territory, I believe I would be an asset to 123 Sellers. During my tenure at XYZ Enterprises, I have earned multiple awards and was named top seller three years in a row. I have expertise in client retention, new customer acquisition, and cold calling and am comfortable using CRMs like SalesForce and Hubspot. Highlights of my achievements include: Growing a $1M territory to a $4M in two years Converted 300 new customers over the course of a year Exceeded sales goals by 50% in my first year Maintain expert knowledge in complete product line up consisting of over 200 products I am confident that with my sales experience and techniques, I will help your company gain a larger market share. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to discussing this opportunity further. Respectfully, Tanner Gaddas 555-123-4567

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Samantha is a lifelong writer who has been writing professionally for the last six years. After graduating with honors from Greensboro College with a degree in English & Communications, she went on to find work as an in-house copywriter for several companies including Costume Supercenter, and Blueprint Education.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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How To Write A Career Change Cover Letter (With Examples)

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Career Advice >
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How To Write A Short Cover Letter

The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

Published: December 14, 2023

I've sent plenty of cover letters throughout my career, so I know it isn't usually fun to write one. Fortunately, the cover letter examples I painstakingly gathered below show that it’s possible to have a little fun with your job search — and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.

I was shocked upon learning 45% of job seekers don't include a cover letter when applying for a job. I definitely don't recommend following the crowd on this matter because your cover letter is a chance to tell the stories your resume only outlines.

It's an opportunity for you to highlight your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.

Are you ready to showcase your unique skills and experience? Or are you looking for more tips and cover letter inspiration?

Keep reading for 20+ cover letter examples, then check out tips for cover letter formatting and what makes a cover letter great .

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

Standard Cover Letter Template
Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Cover Letter Examples

Standard Cover Letter Example
Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample
Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'
The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter
The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.
Short-and-Sweet Cover Letter Example
The Short Story
The Bare Bones Cover Letter
The Breezy Follow-Up
The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
The Internship Cover Letter
The Brutally Honest Cover Letter
The Pivot Cover Letter
The Graphic Design Cover Letter
Consulting Internship Cover Letter Example
Nonprofit Referral Cover Letter Example
General Email Inquiry Cover Letter Example
Post-Phone-Call Cover Letter Example
Mission-Driven Graduate Cover Letter Example
Short Recommendation Cover Letter Example
Professor or Research Position Cover Letter Example
Director Cover Letter Example
Editorial Cover Letter Example
Promotion Cover Letter Example
Law Cover Letter Example

Customizable Cover Letter Examples

In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpot’s cover letter template kit .

1. Standard Cover Letter Example

cover letter examples: standard cover letter

Download a Customizable Copy of This Cover Letter Example

This standard cover letter is among my favorite approaches because it hits all the right notes: It includes a space to give a brief summary of your experience, as well as a space to delve in-depth into the specific responsibilities of your current role.

You also have the chance to describe the challenges you’ve mastered in previous roles, showing that you’re capable of facing any problem that comes your way.

Why I Love It

I love this cover letter because it allows you to describe the high points of your career while still being professional, personalized, and succinct.

2. Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample

cover letter examples: data driven cover letter

Numbers are worth a million words — or that’s how I think the saying should go (if only we could include pictures in cover letters).

Citing data and statistics about your achievements at your current company is an assured way to capture a hiring manager’s attention.

Over the years, I've learned most hiring managers don’t read the entire letter, so a bulleted summary of your achievements can be a powerful way to increase the effectiveness and scannability of your message.

I love this cover letter because it’s adaptable to any role. Even if you don’t work in a data-centric role, you can include any enumerable achievement.

If I worked in a creative industry, for instance, I could include the number of creative assets you designed for your current company.

3. Entry-Level Cover Letter Example

cover letter examples: entry-level cover letter

Many of us have had "first job jitters" (that's what I'm calling it) when applying for our first career opportunity.

However, my experience taught me to increase my chances of getting that first interview by including a cover letter that explains how my education can help me succeed in the role I applied for.

In fact, HubSpot staff writer Erica Santiago says highlighting her education was key to snagging her first role out of college.

"When I graduated from journalism school, I only had a couple of internships under my belt and maybe some writing clips — not enough to compete with most young professionals with more experience," she recalls.

"So, I highlighted the classes I took such as 'News Reporting and Writing' or 'Electronic News Gathering," she says, "And I explained the assignments I did and how they gave me real-world experience in interviewing and reporting."

She says that's how she got her first job as a digital journalist for WSVN in Miami.

If you need help understanding how to highlight your education in a cover letter, look no further than this example from HubSpot.

While other cover letter samples give experienced professionals the opportunity to share their experience at length, this one gives you the chance to describe your personal and professional attributes.

You can then convey how you can use your knowledge to help your target company reach its goals.

I love this cover letter because it’s easy and simple to use for a student who has little experience in their target industry — including those who haven’t yet completed an internship.

Looking for more? Download the entire kit below.

5 Professional Cover Letter Templates

Fill out the form to access your templates., best cover letter examples.

What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? I found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.

Note: Some of these cover letters include real company names and NSFW language that I've covered up.

1. The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'

You may already know how to talk about how you’ll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But there’s another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?

The Muse , a career guidance site, says that it’s often best to lead with the why — especially if it makes a good story.

I advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.

cover letter that explains "why" with a story about a childhood experience with the chicago cubs

Image Source

Here’s another instance of the power of personalization.

The author of this cover letter clearly has a passion for this prospective employer — the Chicago Cubs — and if she’s lying about it, well, I'm sure that would eventually be revealed in an interview.

Make sure your story is nonfiction and relatable according to each job. While I love a good tale of childhood baseball games, an introduction like this one probably wouldn’t be fitting in a cover letter for, say, a software company.

But a story of how the hours you spent playing with DOS games as a kid led to your passion for coding? Sure, I’d find that fitting.

If you’re really passionate about a particular job opening, think about where that deep interest is rooted. Then, tell your hiring manager about it in a few sentences.

Why This Is A Great Cover Letter

This example shows how effective personalization can be. The writer is passionate about the employer, drawing from her own childhood experience to communicate her enthusiasm.

Further reading: Sales Cover Letter Tips

2. The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter

This cover letter example is a special one because it was submitted to us here at HubSpot. What does the letter do well? It makes a connection with us before we've even met the letter's author.

We're meant for each other cover letter submitted to HubSpot

"Content Marketing Certified" shows the applicant has taken the content marketing certification course in our HubSpot Academy (you can take the same course here ).

Our "records" indicate he/she did indeed give an interview with us before — and was a HubSpot customer.

The cover letter sang references to a relationship we didn't even know we had with the candidate.

The letter ends with a charming pitch for why, despite him/her not getting hired previously, our interests complement each other this time around.

(Yes, the applicant was hired).

This cover letter example does an excellent job of building rapport with the employer. Despite not getting hired for previous roles they applied for at HubSpot, the writer conveys exactly why they are right for this role.

Read more: Customer Service Cover Letter Tips

3. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.

HubSpot has a lot of H.E.A.R.T. — Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent.

Our Culture Code is the foundation of the company's culture, the driving force behind our mission to help millions grow better , and serves as the scaffolding for our hiring practices.

Recruiters at HubSpot look for applicants that demonstrate how they embody the Culture Code and job description, paying extra attention to cover letters that are super custom to HubSpot.

In another HubSpot submission, a HubSpot applicant writes about how she found out about HubSpot, why she likes the company, and how her professional experience aligns with H.E.A.R.T.

cover letter that details experience according to hubspot values: humble, empathy, adaptability, remarkable, and transparent.

HubSpot's recruiting team was impressed with her dedication to the company and how she went beyond what was asked for by linking her portfolio in her closing paragraph.

Featured Resource: 5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Download our collection of 5 professional cover letter templates to help you summarize your professional journey and land your dream job – whether it's at your first or fifth company.

Short Cover Letter Examples

4. the short-and-sweet cover letter.

In 2009, David Silverman penned an article for Harvard Business Review titled, " The Best Cover Letter I Ever Received. " That letter has three complete sentences, as follows:

Short and sweet cover letter example with only three sentences

One might argue that this particular letter is less than outstanding, and I'll also admit it's an older example.

It’s brief, to say the least, and the author doesn’t go into a ton of detail about what makes him or her qualified for the job in question.

But that’s what Silverman likes about it — the fact that the applicant only included the pieces of information that would matter the most to the recipient.

"The writer of this letter took the time to think through what would be relevant to me," writes Silverman. "Instead of scattering lots of facts in hopes that one was relevant, the candidate offered up an opinion as to which experiences I should focus on."

When you apply for a job, start by determining two things:

Who might oversee the role — that’s often included in the description, under "reports to." Address your letter to that individual.
Figure out what problems this role is meant to solve for that person. Then, concisely phrase in your cover letter how and why your experience can and will resolve those problems.

The key to this standout cover letter is research.

By looking into who you’ll be reporting to and learning more about that person’s leadership style, you’ll be better prepared to tailor your cover letter to focus on how you can create solutions for them.

Read here for more tips on how to land your dream job .

5. The Short Story

Basha Coleman began her cover letter with a short story. The goal of this short story is two-fold:

Detail the experience she already has with the organization.
Stand out to the hiring team.

short cover letter example from basha coleman that starts with a short story about her existing experience with pepsi

I notice her short story follows a typical narrative arc: It has a conflict/obstacle, a turning point, and a positive outcome, all created with a goal to emphasize a theme or point.

In this case, Coleman is emphasizing her existing affinity with the brand and her triumphs within the program so that she can continue on her career path.

Like the second example in our list, this cover letter does an excellent job of conveying the applicant’s existing affinity for the brand. If you are applying to a company you love, don’t be shy about showing it and explaining why.

6. The Bare Bones Cover Letter

In today's job market, cover letters aren't always necessary. Even though many recruiters won't ask for or even read them, cover letters can still be effective and convey personality to a reader.

Writing a strong cover letter can help you better convey your interest in the position and company.

This template from The Balance Careers puts together the essential components of a short cover letter: excitement about the position, your qualifications, and a call-to-action for the recruiter to follow up with you.

Combining these central aspects in a well-written, compelling narrative will go a long way in convincing readers to hire you.

short cover letter example with summarized bullet points

This letter is organized and concise. The inclusion of bullet points to highlight key skills and help the recruiter skim the document is a nice touch.

Check out this post for more useful cover letter tips .

7. The Breezy Follow-Up

In this cover letter, Amanda Edens is following the instructions the hiring manager gave by forwarding an email with resume and writing samples attached.

short cover letter example from Amanda Edens with bullet points and breezy language

This short cover letter is the result. I especially admire how she uses casual and breezy language to convey personality and enthusiasm, and she keeps her paragraphs succinct.

Not only does Amanda include links to relevant writing samples that are live on the web, but she also closes with a strong final paragraph that:

Summarizes the expertise she has relevant to the posting
Emphasizes that she doesn't want to simply get a job but rather help the organization accomplish their goals
The reader gets everything they need in an organized and thoughtful manner.

8. The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

In this cover letter the candidate, Michelle, plays up her prior music industry experience to build a connection with Epic Music Group. If you have specific industry experience for the role you are applying for, be sure to highlight that.

Cover Letter Example: Admin Cover Letter

It’s clear that she’s passionate about not only the music industry, but Epic as a whole.

She’s done so much research on the company that she knows what software programs they use, and happens to be proficient in it to help convey value to the hiring manager.

This example further illustrates the importance of research.

Make sure you understand the culture of the company to which you’re applying before you send a completely unfiltered cover letter — if you don’t, there’s a good chance it’ll completely miss the mark.

In just three short paragraphs, the applicant uses their company research to drive home why they are the perfect fit for the role — emphasizing industry experience as well as software knowledge specific to the company.

All of this communicates that she’d be able to start with very few hiccups while getting up to speed.

Further reading: 15 Cover Letter Templates

9. The Internship Cover Letter

Maybe you’re just getting started in your career and looking to land the right internship to gain experience in your field.

In this case, you’ll need to highlight more of your educational background and transferable skills since you won’t have as much professional experience to highlight.

Cover Letter Examples: Internship Cover Letter

The cover letter above is a great example of how to emphasize your skills and accomplishments when applying to internships or entry-level positions. A few things the applicant does well:

Highlights relevant extracurriculars and affinity networks. In this case, the applicant is applying for a business analyst position, so mentioning their involvement in a FinTech group makes sense.
Previous internships in relevant fields: Our applicant points out that they’ve interned as a Business Analyst at another firm. Pointing out that they’ve done the role before will help make their case for fit.
Highlight other useful skills: This applicant is fluent in both English and German. If an international company or an organization needs bilingual support, knowing multiple languages is an asset.

This cover letter example illustrates how you can leverage your education and background to get the gig even when you don’t have much working experience. Highlighting previous internships or experience in related fields can go a long way in convincing hiring managers you’re the perfect candidate for the role.

Creative Cover Letter Examples

10. the brutally honest cover letter.

Then, there are the occasions when your future boss might appreciate honesty — in its purest form.

Former Livestream CEO Jesse Hertzberg, by his own admission, is one of those people, which might be why he called this example " the best cover letter " (which he received while he was with Squarespace):

As Hertzberg says in the blog post elaborating on this excerpt — it’s not appropriate for every job or company.

But if you happen to be sure that the corporate culture of this prospective employer gets a kick out of a complete lack of filter, then there’s a chance that the hiring manager might appreciate your candor.

"Remember that I'm reading these all day long," Hertzberg writes. "You need to quickly convince me I should keep reading. You need to stand out."

The applicant did their research on the company’s culture and executed this cover letter flawlessly. It’s funny and shows off the applicant’s personality all while making it clear why they are a good fit for the role.

11. The Pivot Cover Letter

Making a career switch? Your cover letter can be an excellent opportunity for you to explain the reasoning behind your career change and how your transferable skills qualify you for the role.

Cover Letter Example: Creative Pivot Cover Letter

It’s clean but effective.

Since the role she is applying for is more visual, it’s important to both show and tell why you’re a good fit.

This cover letter strikes the perfect balance between creativity and simplicity in design while putting the applicant's career change into context.

The copy is clean, with a creative font choice that isn’t distracting from the content, but still demonstrates the applicant’s knack for design.

12. The Graphic Design Cover Letter

When applying for more creative roles, the design of your cover letter can say just as much as the words on the page. Take the graphic designer letter example below.

It’s got so much going for it:

Pop of color
Clean layout
Interesting fonts

Besides the style elements, this example also doesn’t skimp on the key skills recruiters are looking for. Using metrics, the applicant proves their value and why they would be a great fit.

This cover letter thoroughly conveys the applicant’s skills and qualifications using a variety of visual elements and emphasizing their greatest achievements.

Pro tip: If you're applying for a graphic design job, share a link to your graphic design portfolio website , even if it's not an application requirement.

Job Cover Letter Examples

Next up, let’s go over some classic cover letter examples for jobs, especially if you’re applying to internships or only have a few years of experience.

The below cover letters follow the golden rules and don’t deviate too much from the standard — which is ideal if you’re applying to positions in more traditional industries.

13. Consulting Internship Cover Letter Example

Many internship applicants are early on in their careers or are still in college. That means they’ve yet to gather enough experience to offer tangible proof of their ability to do the job.

That means that a cover letter is the place where an internship applicant can shine.

This cover letter example highlights the applicant’s skills in a bullet-point format. That makes it easier for an overburdened hiring manager to get the essence of her points, quickly, if they’re only skimming cover letters.

Not only that, but this applicant personalized the letter in every single sentence. She shares information about her prior conversations with some of the company’s employees and mentions the company’s name at every turn.

While she only has one prior consulting job, she deftly mentions the skills she developed in that role and ties them into her desired position at Quantcast Product Group.

This cover letter example does a fantastic job advertising the applicant’s soft skills in a highly scannable format — while still going heavy on the personalization.

Don’t be shy to lightly play with formatting to get your point across and to imbue the letter with your passion for a company.

14. Nonprofit Referral Cover Letter Example

job cover letter examples: nonprofit referral

This cover letter example for a nonprofit job hits the ground running by right away inserting the name of one of the nonprofit’s Superintendents.

That’s an excellent way to get a recruiter’s attention and make you stand out from the slush pile, even if you’re only just out of school, as is the case for this applicant.

If you’ve received an internal recommendation for a position, you’d be wise to open your letter with that information. Don’t worry about it feeling too stilted or strange — remember, hiring managers only skim letters.

Your goal is to make sure they get information about you that they otherwise won’t get from your resume.

With only three full paragraphs, this cover letter example is short, sweet, and to the point. No time is wasted, and it also goes over the critical basics, such as skills and experience.

This nonprofit cover letter includes a recommendation from an internal employee at the target organization, making it more likely to stand out from the slush pile.

I also love that it doesn’t skimp on the basics, such as skills, enthusiasm, and experience.

15. General Email Inquiry Cover Letter Example

job cover letter examples: general internship inquiry

Even if a job opportunity isn’t available at an organization yet, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be. You can always send a general inquiry cover letter, like the one in this example.

This email cover letter for a political campaign internship is short and sweet, but includes the critical information the campaign coordinator needs to consider the applicant for any new positions that may open up.

The best part about this cover letter is that it can be easily customized from one political campaign employer to the next.

While it does include a level of personalization, it’s brief and can be easily changed to address the specific political candidate.

When sending general inquiries like this one, it’s essential to make the personalization aspect as pain-free as possible for yourself. That may mean including only one sentence or two, knowing that a general inquiry might not be replied to.

Setting up customized email signatures is also highly recommended. They should include your name, job title, and ideally links to your website or social accounts as well as your headshot.

These add a professional touch and help you stand out from other cover letters in the recipient’s inbox. At the same time, the headshot makes you easier to remember in case a job position becomes available, while the website or social links allow recruiters to learn more relevant details about you.

This email cover letter example hits all the right notes while keeping it brief and to-the-point. While we don’t recommend choosing this format for a formal cover letter, it works if you’re sending a general inquiry to an employer over email.

It’s also a good example to follow if you’re still in college or have very little experience.

Read more: How to Write a Letter of Interest

16. Post-Phone-Call Cover Letter Example

job cover letter examples: post phone call

If you get a phone call from a potential employer and they invite you to send your resume, pat yourself on the back — that is such a win. In your cover letter, be sure to mention that right away, like this example does.

A hiring manager or an executive at a company likely has a lot of tasks on their plate, which means that they may forget about your call from one week to the next.

That is totally okay, which is why this example starts with a reminder that the applicant and the letter recipient spoke back on January 31st. It also has a few more details about why they started speaking in the first place.

Aside from leveraging the phone call that’s already occurred, this cover letter also does an excellent job explaining why the applicant is an ideal choice for the job.

It goes into detail about skills and previous experience with a high level of enthusiasm, and includes a promise to follow up at the end.

This cover letter example includes two things that will immediately draw my attention: A phone call they’ve already had, and a mutual contact at their organization.

The job and internship search can be grueling; never be afraid to use everything you have at your disposal to improve your standing over other applicants.

17. Mission-Driven Graduate Cover Letter Example

job cover letter examples: mission driven

This cover letter example from a recent B.A. graduate wowed me from the first sentence.

The applicant right away explains her attained degree and her specific career interests, then dives into the aspects of her experience that make her such a great candidate.

It's so personalized to the employer’s own mission that it’s difficult to stop reading it.

Even if the hiring manager isn’t a science or health professional, they would be able to effectively gauge the applicant’s suitability for the role by the expertise she shows in her cover letter alone.

The applicant explains at length why she’s excited to work for that specific hospital. The organization serves Aboriginal populations, which aligns with her own values and research interests.

In the last paragraph, she summarizes what she knows about the employer in one sentence, then describes how each of her experiences supports the employer’s mission.

That is an exceedingly clever and meaningful way to align yourself with an organization at a deeper level.

If you’re applying to a mission-driven organization, don’t be shy about showing your excitement and expertise. You don’t need a lot of experience to show that your values align with those of your target organization.

This cover letter example is especially good inspiration if you’re making a career change, have only just a few internships under your belt, or are graduating from college.

18. Short Recommendation Cover Letter Example

job cover letter examples: short recommendation

Referral or recommendation cover letters don’t need to be too long, and this is a great example of that. It immediately leverages a mutual connection at the company.

The mutual connection recommended that the applicant contact the hiring manager for a role, which is a piece of information I always recommend you frontload in your letter.

This specific cover letter comes from an applicant with little experience, making it a good example to follow if you’re switching careers or just out of college.

Instead of talking about their experience, the applicant uses anecdotal evidence to convey their enthusiasm for working at that company.

The writer also goes over their most salient skills, such as being able to speak multiple languages. They also explain how their degree directly applies to the target role.

I love that the candidate highlights their leadership abilities and makes that an effective selling point for being hired.

This cover letter doesn’t go on for too long, which we love. It’s simple and sweet and provides all the information the hiring manager needs to look more closely at the applicant’s resume and make an interviewing decision.

19. Professor or Research Position Cover Letter Example

job cover letter examples: professor or research

Academic or research position cover letters might require a little more information than the typical cover letter — and this is one such example. Why is it okay to go a little longer?

Because the letter is not only a way to supplement the PhD candidate’s academic CV, but to provide a writing sample for the search committee.

I love this cover letter because it expresses the candidate’s enthusiasm for teaching and explains her instructional ethos, such as providing out-of-the-classroom opportunities, championing communication, and encouraging students to step out of their comfort zone.

The applicant also suggests courses she may be able to teach at the target institution, and expresses her interest in developing new courses as needed.

She also suggests how she can enhance the college’s extracurricular programming by offering study abroad courses, which shows not just an interest in teaching but adding to the school’s overall culture.

While this letter goes for a little longer than recommended, it serves as a fantastic writing sample and explains the applicant’s research background at length.

If you’re applying to academic or research roles, don’t be afraid to go into detail about what most excites you in terms of research interests.

20. Director Cover Letter Example

This cover letter example — for a Director of Catering position at a university — doesn’t waste any time.

The applicant right away says that they’re a strong candidate for the role, then jumps right into three salient qualifications that make him a great fit.

I love how the applicant uses bullet points and bold text to guide an overburdened hiring manager through the cover letter — and to give them permission to scan it, if needed.

If the hiring manager would like more information or actual examples of the skills, they merely need to read the rest of the bullet point paragraph.

As mentioned, light formatting can be beneficial to your cover letter, as it draws the recruiter’s eyes and prevents them from having to fish for the information they’re looking for.

This short, sweet cover letter includes the critical information a hiring manager or high-level executive needs to make an interview decision.

I love the use of formatting that doesn’t stray too much from regular cover letter conventions, and I like that the applicant kept all other paragraphs extremely brief.

21. Editorial Cover Letter Example

Applying for an editorial or journalistic position? Like a cover letter example I shared earlier, you can take a more storytelling approach to capture the hiring manager’s attention.

This cover letter example does that effectively by telling an anecdote that directly mentions the newspaper where they’d like to work.

This immediately draws the reader in and tells them that this application isn’t random at all; the applicant would like to work at the newspaper because they’ve read it every morning.

Not only that, but they have a favorite reporter on the newspaper’s staff. The applicant then jumps into the specific reason they want to take an editorial position at the Baltimore Sun.

The cover letter includes all pertinent information, such as how previous positions have equipped the applicant to take on this job. It closes with enthusiasm after keeping the reader rapt every step of the way.

The applicant uses storytelling to — you guessed it — apply for a position that needs storytelling skills. If you’re applying for a data-driven position or a graphic design position, why not showcase those skills in the cover letter itself?

I like that this letter doesn’t diverge too much from cover letter conventions while still differentiating itself.

22. Promotion Cover Letter Example

In this cover letter example, the applicant already works for the employer and wishes to apply for the next position to move up in their career.

I like that the letter cites the applicant’s extensive knowledge of the organization, which will no doubt give them an advantage over external applicants.

Not only that, but the applicant also references their experience before they started working at the employer and uses that information to make their candidacy even more desirable.

Lastly, this letter includes a healthy level of enthusiasm for the university and the position — something that is never extra in a cover letter.

This cover letter example does an excellent job showing the candidate’s knowledge of their current organization while stating why they’re a natural fit for the promotion.

Plus, the letter includes information on the applicant’s relevant activities outside of work — if you’re involved in any organizations that might help you do your job better, be sure to include them.

23. Law Cover Letter Example

This law cover letter example jumps right into personalization, a bold move that will serve you well if you’re genuinely interested in a company and want to stand out.

The applicant cites the recipient’s recent article on bond litigation, then ties that into the role they’d like to get at the law firm.

The applicant then goes into his skills and the feedback he’s received from past managers. This is an excellent way to introduce your skills without sounding dry — or even unfounded.

By citing positive feedback you’ve received, you’ll imply that others have praised you for having those skills, and that you’re not only "tooting your own horn."

Pro-Tip: In cover letters, it’s absolutely okay to toot your own horn — that’s what they’re for. But if you can cite others’ remarks, that also helps.)

At just two and a half paragraphs, this letter is exceedingly short but no less effective. It’s an excellent example of how to personalize your letter quickly while still conveying the essentials of a cover letter.

This short cover letter example keeps it brief while still creating high impact. The applicant personalizes the letter immediately, cites external feedback, and conveys enthusiasm.

This letter proves you don’t need to write a novel about an employer to sway the hiring manager into giving you an interview.

Now that I've shown you some excellent examples, let's talk about how you can create the best cover letter for your dream job.

What is a good cover letter?

A cover letter is used to show your interest in the role, passion for the company, and the impact you've had in previous positions. Good cover letters should include a standout opening, relevant skills and qualifications, and a strong finish with a call-to-action — all within one page and unique to each application.

What’s on a cover letter?

Before you start writing your cover letter, let's cover a few basic must-haves you'll want to include. If you’re looking for more detailed instructions, check out this guide to writing a cover letter .

Add a simple, but pleasant greeting to address the recruiter or hiring manager.

Learn more:

Dear Sir or Madam Alternatives
Cover Letter Greetings

Write a catchy introduction that explains why you’re interested in the role.

How to Write an Introduction
Tips for Writing a Good Introduction Sentence

Work Experience

This is the heart of your cover letter. It outlines your relevant experience and why you’d be a great fit for the role. You can highlight special skills, experiences, professional achievements, or education to help make your case.

How to Write About Your Professional Background
Professional Bio Examples
LinkedIn Bio Examples

In this paragraph, add a call-to-action by expressing interest in an interview. Offer your contact information and sign off.

Email Closing Line Examples
Tips for Writing Conclusions

What does a cover letter look like?

Besides showing off your skills and qualifications, cover letters give you the opportunity to present a clear, concise, and compelling writing sample. It shows off your personality and your ability to convey ideas.

That's a lot of information to include on a single page, so it can help to have a clear structure to start with.

Check out our fillable cover letter templates to see how you should organize the content of your cover letter.

What makes a great cover letter?

A cover letter is personal, but it also needs to help you reach a goal and help the hiring team understand how you could perform that role with their company. This complexity can make cover letters really tough to write.

Because cover letters are difficult to write, many come off as boring, basic, or confusing for hiring managers to read. But the tips below about the qualities that make a cover letter great can help you take your cover letter from basic to bright.

Start with this quick video, then keep reading for more tips:

Personalized Introduction

Begin with an introduction that's personal. It should capture the reader's attention and address your recipient by name. Then, add a compelling opening sentence that emphasizes your interest in the specific role.

Helpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"To Whom it May Concern,

I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."

Relevant Professional Experience

It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it's about your experience, isn't it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.

So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.

To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.

Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.

Helpful Cover Letter Experience:

"At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:

"I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results."

Useful Examples

To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.

Helpful Cover Letter Example:

"I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:

"I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results."

Research and Company Knowledge

Hiring teams aren't hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They're hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.

So, to show that you're not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company's industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.

Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.

Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.

Helpful Cover Letter Research:

"I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:

"I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations."

Clear Writing

Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.

To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.

You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.

Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
Tips for Simplifying Your Writing

Helpful Cover Letter Writing:

"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.

Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:

"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.

Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."

Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm

Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.

Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:

Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
Choose your words carefully .
Write in active voice.

Helpful Cover Letter Tone:

"I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:

"Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting."

Memorable Conclusion

End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.

Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.

To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you'd most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you're feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.

Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.

[Your Name]"

Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

I’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.

But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data I’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.

I certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will.

So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.

Don't forget to share this post!

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10 Short Cover Letter Samples (+ Writing Guide)
Short Story Cover Letter Template Good Design Most Effective
How to Write Cover Letters for Short Stories
Short Story Cover Letter Template Good Design Most Effective
5+ Inspiring Short Cover Letter Samples
How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story

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How to write cover letter in one minute for any job/NGO/INGO/Private firm||
How to write a cover letter: Template & Tips
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THE LETTER Short Story
The Purloined Letter in Bengali
Is a 2 page cover letter too much?

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How to Write a Perfect Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission
The cover letter also needs to contain a short bio, the story's word count, title, and a brief description of the short story (not summary), among other things. Publishers and editors have unique preferences, so you'll find what 'unique' things they want in your cover letter. Writing a cover letter on the laptop.
The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor
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 ...
How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story
Here are some of the highlights: If you know the name of the editor, address the cover letter to them. For instance, 'Dear Mr Gamgee'. If in doubt, just use 'Dear Editors'. Keep it simple. The editor is about to read your story, you don't need to tell them the ins and outs of character and plot.
10 Impressive Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission
Dear [Editor's name], I am excited to submit my short story [Story Title] for publication in [Journal/Magazine Name]. The engaging plot and character development make this story a perfect fit for your publication. [Paragraph 1] This story follows the journey of [Character name], who [brief plot summary].
What's in a Short Story Cover Letter?
Short. Professional. In a letter format with a salutation and signature. Something like: "Dear Editors, Please consider my 4000 word short story "The Example Title" for publication in The Stand-in Literary Magazine. It fits your theme of being a fake anthology by being a fake story.
Strange Horizons
Here are a few examples of good cover letters. Feel free to use any of them as a template for your own letter. Very Basic Cover Letter: Dear Editors, Please consider the following story for Strange Horizons. Thank you. Sincerely, A. I. Robotsky. Cover Letter with Credits:
How to Write Cover Letters for Short Stories
For a general cover letter, if you don't see specific guidelines on their website, you can format it similar to this: (Your Name) (Address) (Email Address) (Telephone Number) Dear Editor, Please consider my X,XXX word short story titled (story title) for (magazine name). The story is attached as a word document titled (document title).
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Literary Journal Submission
What your cover letter should do is indicate your professionalism so the editor can get past the cover letter and on to the story. It should be a gateway, not a barrier. It should be a gateway ...
How to write a cover letter for short fiction submissions
1. Greeting. Some cover letter instructions mention headers with your name, address, email address, and phone number. That seems to be going out of fashion and a lot of magazines either explicitly or by omission do not want all of that personal information during the submissions process. (If your story is accepted, they might ask for it then.)
5 Short Cover Letter Examples (And How to Write Your Own)
4. Use short words rather than long phrases. Without realizing it, we sometimes write unnecessarily long phrases on professional documents when a single word is enough. After you've written your cover letter, go back and reread it. Replace longer phrases with single words (or at least fewer words).
Literary Journal Submissions 101
Literary Journal Submissions 101. To submit your latest short story, essay, or poem, you'll need a cover letter—which is much different from a query. Use these tips from inside a creative writing program to help your letter make the grade. Michael Kardos. Aug 30, 2011.
10 Short Cover Letter Samples (+ Writing Guide)
1. Address your cover letter properly. Include your name, the position you're applying for, the company name, and job ID (if applicable). 2. Start your cover letter captivating. That way, the recipient of your email will read on with interest. Include a job-fitting accomplishment to impress the reader from the top. 3.
fiction
In short, make certain to read the submission guidelines. (Online and print requirements may differ, even within the same publication.) A manuscript in the wrong format is not going to be read quickly, if at all. I don't know if the tone of the cover letter matters or not, although if I were submitting to McSweeny's I'd spend more time on that ...
Answers to Writing Questions
A cover letter accompanying a submission to a journal or magazine can be short and simple. Indicate that you're submitting the work for consideration, but don't say much—if anything—about the work. In these kinds of submissions, you include the story, essay or poems along with the cover letter. So, let the creative work speak for itself.
How to Tell a Story in a Cover Letter
Combine it with a story-telling resume and that's your best shot. There's so much to talk about in a cover letter, especially if your career is spanning over 20+ years and there's a lot of incredible moments you're proud of. Telling a story from beginning to end will be a good way of creating structure and will make it easier for the ...
15 Short Cover Letter Examples & Step-by-Step Guide for 2024
Proofread Carefully #6. Use a Cover Letter Template 15 Short Cover Letter Examples #1. College Student Short Cover Letter Example #2. Substitute Teacher Short Cover Letter Example #3. Barista Short Cover Letter Example #4. Nurse Practitioner Short Cover Letter Example #5. Attorney Short Cover Letter Example #6.
How to Publish a Short Story: 3 Ways to Reach New Readers
In this post, we'll walk you through the most popular ways of getting a short story out into the world. Three ways to publish a short story: 1. Submit them to literary magazines. 2. Take part in writing contests. 3. Self-publish a short story anthology. 3 ways to publish short stories and gain new readers 📝.
15 Short Cover Letter Examples + Tips on How to Write One
Short application cover letter for USPS. Dear Ms. Wu, My name is Larry and I have attached my resume for the position in USPS as the lead automotive technician. My 5 years of experience as an operation manager from my previous company will be of help after joining your team.
Cover letters / queries for short stories
In regards to short story submissions, cover letters are usually brief letters containing one to three short paragraphs, and is most often paper-clipped in front of your manuscript's first page when you snail mail your submission. If you are submitting your manuscript through email, then your cover letter comes before your story as the main ...
Short Story Cover Letters
How to address a cover letter. You can skip Dear Neil, Dear Mr. Clarke, Dear Editor, Dear Editor and first readers, etc. It doesn't have any impact. Simple mistakes here can sometimes work against you. For example, "Dear Sheila" tells me you either meant to send this to Asimov's or they've already rejected it.
10 Short Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide for 2024
2. Create Engagement. You might think a short cover letter may struggle to capture the employer's attention. But it's not about the quantity of your achievements, but the quality and where you put them. Craft an engaging cover letter opening sentence that immediately communicates your enthusiasm for the position.
How To Write A Short Cover Letter (With Examples)
A short cover letter should be about 100-250 words broken down into three to four paragraphs. You should use a short cover letter if you are an entry level employee, if you are emailing your cover letter, or if you are submitting your application online. Your cover letter should highlight your qualifications and sell you as the ideal candidate.
The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right
The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'. The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T. Short-and-Sweet Cover Letter Example. The Short Story. The Bare Bones Cover Letter. The Breezy Follow-Up. The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter. The Internship Cover Letter.

How to Write a Perfect Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

Research and… Research

Tips on Creating a Perfect Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

Short and Simple

Courteous and Direct

Professional

How to Address a Cover Letter

What should be in a cover letter?

Don’t Put These in Your Cover Letter

Don’t Say These in Your Short Story Cover letter

Formats and Submission Guidelines

Sample Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

Final Words on Cover Letters for a Short Story Submission

Recommended Reading...

The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor

A little research goes a long way

Terms to Know

Cover Letter That Needs Work

What Went Wrong?

Cover Letter Ready to Be Sent

What Went Right?

The Proven Method Of Writing Short Story Cover Letters

How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story

A Proven Example Of How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story

How To Write A Cover Letter For A Novel

More Help On Writing Cover Letters and Getting Published

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10 Impressive Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

The Best Structure for Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Request for Feedback

Request for Partial Payment

Request for Exemption from Submission Fee

Re-Submission of Revised Short Story

Recommendation for Award Consideration

Request for Expedited Review

Cover Letter Tips for Short Story Submissions

Wrapping It Up

Sample Cover Letters

How to Write Cover Letters for Short Stories

Don’t say:

Finally, you always want to make sure you follow each magazine’s submission guidelines exactly.

Now on to some formats!

But sometimes submission guidelines are different from this format.

This was my cover letter:

My cover letter:

Good luck on submitting those short stories!

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How to write a cover letter for short fiction submissions

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How to Tell a Story in a Cover Letter

In This Guide:

Upload & Check Your Resume

What do employers look for in a cover letter?

Why do you need a story for your cover letter?

The middle - your experience

Conclusion - reflection

How to Answer "What is Your Management Style" in a Job Interview

15 Short Cover Letter Examples & Step-by-Step Guide for 2024

6 Steps to Writing a Short Cover Letter

What Is a Cover Letter?

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

When Should You Write a Short Cover Letter?

#1. Plan Ahead of Writing

#2. Take Time to Reflect

#3. Follow the Standard Cover Letter Structure

#4. Shorten Your Text

#5. Proofread Carefully

#6. Use a Cover Letter Template

#1. College Student Short Cover Letter Example

#2. Substitute Teacher Short Cover Letter Example

#3. Barista Short Cover Letter Example

#4. Nurse Practitioner Short Cover Letter Example

#5. Attorney Short Cover Letter Example