cover letter for poetry manuscript submission

How to Write a Cover Letter for A Poetry Submission

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

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

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

Provide your contact information

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

Write the greeting and body

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

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

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

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

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

Write the closing

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

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

Provide exactly what they want

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

Tips to consider for literary magazines

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

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

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

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

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How to Write a Poetry Submission Cover Letter

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

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

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

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

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

What is a Cover Letter for Submitting a Poem?

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

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

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

Why Do They Need It?

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

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

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

What a Good Cover Letter Should Have

A concise introduction.

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

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

A Courteous Tone

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

Right Context

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

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

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

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

Poetry Publication

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

Poetry Retreats, Residencies, and Fellowships:

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

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

1. research and follow guidelines.

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

2. Address the Organizers/Publishers by name

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

3. Link to your past work

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

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

4. Stay On Topic

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

5. Skip Unnecessary Pleasantries

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

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

6. Provide Contact Information

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

Poetry Cover Letter Example

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

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

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

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

Write A Great Cover Letter, Submit Delicious Poetry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY You’re Writing

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

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

WHAT You’re Submitting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Less is More

Keep it relevant

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

Be Respectful & Humble*

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

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

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

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

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

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

What is a Cover Letter for Submitting a Poem?

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

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

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

What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

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

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

Writing a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Basic Template for a Poetry Cover Letter

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

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

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

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

Sample Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

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

To the readers and editors of Poetry Foundation,

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

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

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

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

Tips on Writing a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

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

Here are the rules you must follow:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Take-Away

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

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Creating an Engaging Cover Letter for Your Poetry Manuscript

Submitting your poetry manuscript to publishers or literary agents often requires a well-crafted cover letter that introduces your work and captures the attention of the reader. While the content of your poetry manuscript is paramount, a compelling cover letter can make a significant difference in piquing interest and increasing the chances of your work being considered. In this blog post, we'll explore essential tips to help you write an engaging cover letter for your poetry manuscript.

1. Research and personalize: Before you start writing your cover letter, take the time to research the publisher or literary agent you're submitting to. Familiarize yourself with their submission guidelines, their literary preferences, and the types of poetry they typically publish. Address the recipient by name whenever possible, demonstrating that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in their work.

2. Format and structure: A cover letter for a poetry manuscript should follow a professional and concise format. Consider the following structure:

Header: Begin with your contact information (name, address, email, phone number) in the top left corner. Include the date of submission below your contact information.

Recipient information: Align the recipient's name, title, publishing company, or literary agency on the left side below your contact information.

Salutation: Greet the recipient with a formal salutation, using their name whenever possible. If you're unsure of the recipient's gender or name, a generic salutation like "Dear Editor" or "To Whom It May Concern" is acceptable.

Introduction: Start your cover letter with a brief introduction, mentioning the purpose of your letter (submitting your poetry manuscript) and expressing your interest in their publishing house or agency. Include a sentence or two about why you believe your work is a good fit for them.

Brief bio: Provide a concise paragraph about yourself, highlighting your writing experience, any publications or awards you've received, and any relevant qualifications or education. Keep it focused on your writing credentials and avoid going into unrelated details.

Manuscript description: Next, give a brief overview of your poetry manuscript. Mention the title, the number of poems it contains, and its themes or unique qualities. Summarize the essence of your collection, capturing the reader's interest without revealing too much.

Publication history: If you have previously published poems or have any relevant writing credentials, mention them briefly in a separate paragraph. This adds credibility and demonstrates your commitment to your craft.

Closing: Conclude your cover letter with a polite and professional closing. Express gratitude for the recipient's time and consideration, and mention that you're available for any further information or materials they may require. Sign off with a formal closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

4. Proofread and edit: Just like your poetry, your cover letter should be free from grammatical errors and typos. Proofread your letter multiple times, and consider asking a trusted friend or fellow writer to review it as well. Ensure that the tone is professional, courteous, and engaging.

5. Keep it concise: A cover letter should be concise and to the point. Aim for a length of around one page, focusing on the most relevant information. Avoid rambling or providing unnecessary details. Remember, the goal is to entice the reader to explore your manuscript further.

Writing a compelling cover letter for your poetry manuscript is an essential step in the submission process. By conducting research, personalizing your letter, following a professional format, and keeping it concise, you can increase your chances of capturing the attention of publishers or literary agents. Remember to highlight your unique voice and the essence of your poetry collection, leaving the reader intrigued and eager to delve into your manuscript.

How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sample Publication Cover Letter:

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

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

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

Dear [Name of Editor]:

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

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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

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

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

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

7 Comments

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

Super helpful!

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

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

This was very informative! Thank you

Ditto all of the above.

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

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

By: Author Marcel Iseli

Posted on Last updated: September 1, 2022

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Sharing is caring!

You’ve been working hard at learning how to write poems, and now you think you might be ready to submit some of them to a journal.

This is an exciting step, but make sure that you don’t get so excited that you neglect to read the guidelines for how to submit.

One of the things you will probably need to include is a cover letter.

But how do you go about writing a cover letter for a poetry submission? What kinds of things should you include?

We’ll help you figure out how to write this letter below.

Check the guidelines before writing your cover letter for a poetry submission

Your very first step should be to check the guidelines of the market you are submitting to.

Don’t assume that you know what the requirements for a cover letter are just because you have looked at another market’s requirements.

Some markets may request that you do not include a cover letter at all.

Others may ask that you include or exclude specific things in the cover letter.

The instructions in any publication’s guidelines should override what you read here, so modify your cover letter as needed based on that.

However, most guidelines will just say something like “submit up to 10 poems and a cover letter” without any other information about what the cover letter should contain.

The purpose of a cover letter for a poetry submission

Understanding the purpose of a cover letter can help you understand what you should put in it.

For example, if you are writing a cover letter for an event manager job , you are trying to highlight some of your main accomplishments to the hiring manager and make your resume stand out from other applicants.

The purpose of a cover letter for a poetry submission is to introduce yourself to the editor and briefly provide information about prior publications.

You will also mention the poems that you are sending, usually their titles and perhaps their length.

You should include any recent or prestigious credits, awards or other career-related information in your cover letter.

A cover letter also signals something about you to the editor. When done correctly, it lets the editor know that you are professional and that you can follow directions.

Starting a cover letter for a poetry submission

You might submit your poems by email, by regular mail or by uploading them to a database.

The publication will have information on the ways to submit.

If you are submitting by email, you will put your cover letter in the body of the email and attach your poems unless the publication requests that you do otherwise.

You do not need to include a header on your email with your address or anything else.

You can just start the letter.

By regular mail, you need to have a header that includes your contact information, the address of the publication and the date.

If you are uploading your submissions and a cover letter is requested, it will probably actually be more like one you would write for regular mail than an email.

Essentially, it should be in the same format, with contact information and the date.

It is always best to begin by addressing the editor by name.

Be sure that you spell their name correctly. Make sure as well that it is the current editor.

If you aren’t sure who the editor is, you can simply write “Dear Editor,” “Dear Poetry Editor” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

The body of your cover letter for a poetry submission

This part of your letter should only be a few sentences long.

You should say what you are submitting: “Attached please find three poems for the New Voices contest: ‘Strawberry Spring,’ ‘The End’ and ‘With the Lilies.'”

You should also include some credits, awards or other professional information if you have any.

Do not include every single place you’ve been published unless it is just a handful of places! Choose the most recent or prestigious publications or related information to highlight.

Unpublished writers often suffer a lot of angst when it comes to writing cover letters because they think they will be overlooked if they cannot share any credits.

The truth is that every editor dreams of discovering a talented new voice.

If you don’t have any publications to include, it’s fine to just name the poems you are sending and thank the editor for their time.

Editors are busy and your work needs to speak for itself, so don’t fall into the temptation of trying to explain your poems or talk about your background.

The one exception is if something in your background is relevant to the work itself, and even then, it should be brief.

For example, if you are a surgeon and your poems about the human body are directly inspired by your work in the operating room, you might include that information in a single sentence in the letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission Pin

How to write the closing of a cover letter for a poetry submission

The closing should be similar to what you would write for any other type of cover letter, such as a cover letter for a video editor job .

Thank the editor for their time, and say that you look forward to hearing from them.

Use a standard professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Best” at the end.

Sample of an email cover letter with some credits for a poetry submission

In the example below, note that while based on the prestige of the publications listed and her teaching job, this writer probably has a lot more credits, she has just chosen a few of the best to highlight.

Review, Tin House and The Sun. I also teach poetry writing at Graceville Community College.

Thank you for taking a look at these. I hope they work for you, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely, Sarah Hall

Sample of a regular mail cover letter without credits for a poetry submission

Note that with no professional credits to share, this letter is very short.

It’s okay to write a cover letter that is this short! In fact, if you don’t have anything to add, it’s much better to keep it this brief than to bog the editor down in unnecessary information about you or the poems you’re submitting.

Leah Rosenfield 123 Pinedale Avenue Anytown, California 12345

Asha Patel Longshore Literary Journal 456 Easy Street Everytown, Missouri 78910

July 3, 2020 Dear Ms. Patel:

Enclosed are three of my poems for your consideration, “Shining,” “Twigs” and “The Ocean Blue.”

Thank you for taking the time to read them. I hope you enjoy them enough for publication in the Longshore Literary Journal.

Best, Leah Rosenfield

Hey fellow Linguaholics! It’s me, Marcel. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. It is my utmost pleasure to share with all of you guys what I know about languages and linguistics in general.

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Poetry & Poets

Explore the beauty of poetry – discover the poet within

What Is A Cover Letter For A Poetry Submission

Writing Style

A cover letter for a poetry submission is your opportunity to market yourself to a publisher. A successful cover letter for poetry submissions should be concise, include relevant information, and be sure to grab the attention of the reader. That’s why it’s important to make sure it includes the right elements. When writing a cover letter for poetry, it’s best to use a professional writing style. Start with a polite and friendly greeting, such as “Dear [Name]” followed by a sentence thanking the reader for taking the time to consider your work. Explain the reason for your submission and make sure it’s tailored to the publisher’s particular interests and needs. Be sure to include a brief bio that tells the reader who you are and where you come from. Include educational and professional accomplishments, awards, and any relevant publications. Mention any specialized knowledge or work experience you may have relating to poetry. Be sure to keep this section short and to the point, so the reader doesn’t become overwhelmed.

When writing a cover letter for poetry submission, make sure to focus on the content of your work. Explain in detail what the poetry is about and the main themes or topics it covers. Explain what the reader can expect to find in the poems and why readers should give them a chance. Also, don’t forget to include a link to an online sample of your work if you have one available. This will give the reader the chance to get a sense of your style and get a better idea of what to expect. Finally, be sure to end the letter on a positive note. Include a line that thanks the reader again for their time, and express your appreciation for the chance to submit your work.

Manuscript Format

When submitting poetry, it’s important to use the right format. Generally, publishers prefer to receive manuscripts that are typed using a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial. The font size should be 12-point and double-spaced. The cover page should include the title of the poem, your name, and contact information. If you have already published your work, include the titles and publishers where it appeared. If you are submitting multiple poems, include a brief description of each one and list them in the order you prefer.

Before you submit your work, it’s important to make sure it’s free of typos, spelling errors, and grammar mistakes. Read and reread your work carefully and ask someone else to read it and provide feedback. A second set of eyes can often spot mistakes and give you a better idea of how readers may perceive your work. If you are unsure whether or not your poetry is ready for submission, consider taking advantage of professional editing services. These services provide a thorough review of your work and help you catch any small mistakes you may have missed.

Marketing Strategy

Before you submit your work, create a personalized marketing strategy. Take the time to research potential publishers, read interviews with practitioners in the field, and review the current market. When you find a publisher that seems like a good fit, read their submission guidelines carefully. Make sure to craft a custom query letter tailored to the publication and highlight your unique writing style and experience. Doing this will help publishers identify you as a unique writer and increase your chances of getting accepted.

Professionalism

When submitting poetry, it is important to be professional and courteous. Always follow the submission guidelines and don’t forget to include a copy of your work. Be sure to thank the editor for reviewing your work and give them a reasonable timeline for when you expect to hear back. Don’t forget to include contact information in case they have any questions.

Be sure to follow up with editors if you don’t hear back after submitting your work. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a positive response, as it’s part of the process. If a publisher is interested in your work, they will typically get back to you and let you know. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of the publications you have submitted to. This will help you track your progress and identify any potential patterns. Once you identify a publisher who is interested in your work, you can use that to your advantage when submitting to other publications.

Networking is an essential part of the poetry submission process. It can be beneficial to attend literary events and workshops. This will provide you with the chance to meet other writers and publishers, and develop connections with other members of the literary community. You may also want to consider joining a professional organization. Joining a different organizations related to poetry and writing can provide you with access to networking opportunities, literary reviews, and other resources that can help you hone your craft and get your work published.

Dannah Hannah is an established poet and author who loves to write about the beauty and power of poetry. She has published several collections of her own works, as well as articles and reviews on poets she admires. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a specialization in poetics, from the University of Toronto. Hannah was also a panelist for the 2017 Futurepoem book Poetry + Social Justice, which aimed to bring attention to activism through poetry. She lives in Toronto, Canada, where she continues to write and explore the depths of poetry and its influence on our lives.

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?

Submission Series: How It’s Done.

So you’ve never submitted your poems to literary magazines before. Where do you start? It can definitely feel intimidating (and time-consuming) the first time you send your work out to potential publishers; but once you’ve gone through the steps a few times, it just becomes another part of your writing routine. To help you get going, here are some tips to guide you through the process and proper etiquette.

Before You Submit Your Work

This might seem obvious but it bears saying aloud: read lots of literary magazines! This is essential homework if you’re going to start submitting work to them. This helps you to know what is being published by these journals, and what they’re looking for. Two great resources for discovering literary magazines are NewPages and Chill Subs , which maintain a fairly comprehensive database of listings and publish reviews of literary magazines. And, most of all, consider subscribing to literary magazines, if you can. Regularly reading the new issues of journals in which you hope to publish can often lead to breakthroughs in your work. Remember: there are no good writers without good readers. Here are some helpful resources and links:

NewPages posts calls for submissions for magazines in their classified section.
Duotrope & Chill Subs both house databases containing information about thousands of literary magazines and journals, so you don’t have to scour the interwebs all by yourself.
We’ve even gotten into this data compilation action ourselves by running a quarterly “Where to Submit” blog series to let you know who is currently open and looking for your poems & manuscripts!

A Duotrope account also comes with the ability to log your submissions and responses on the site, which helps you track your submissions while also contributing data to the statistical information that Duotrope gathers & provides for each lit mag profile.

Start a little smaller at first: submit to literary magazines that focus on work by emerging and/or unpublished writers. You can always find this information on the publication’s website.

Most literary magazines and journals receive submissions online (some exclusively) and many of those use the submission management platform Submittable for receiving and responding to those submissions. So, you should also go ahead and set up your free Submittable account. Other literary magazines either receive submissions by email or through an alternative submission management platform.

How to Craft a Cover Letter

Most literary magazines and journals will ask you to include a brief cover letter to accompany the packet of poems you’re submitting. Although most publications will not disqualify a submission based on the cover letter, it is important to make a professional first impression. There is definitely an art to the submission cover letter, so here are some tips for how to do it right:

Use the appropriate editor’s name in your opening address (you can find this on their website, usually on the masthead page),

Briefly state your intention (“I am submitting my poems XYZ for consideration for a future issue of Lit Mag Name .”)

If this is a simultaneous submission , let them know here, but you don’t have to say where else you’re sending your work. (“These poems are simultaneous submissions but I will inform you promptly should they be accepted elsewhere and need to be withdrawn.”)

Do not describe your poems or give your life story . If you choose, you can give a very brief third-person biographical note (generally 50–100 words). But this is usually optional.

Briefly thank the editor(s) for considering and reading your work.

Close with your first and last name, and your contact information.

Cover Letter Template:

Dear [Insert Editor Name],

I would like to submit my poems [insert poem titles] for consideration for a future issue of [ Insert Magazine/Journal Title ]. I have also included a brief biographical note below, should that be needed.

[Insert brief bio here.]

This is a simultaneous submission. Thank you so much for reading my work!

[Your Name]

[Your Mailing Address]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

How to Track Submissions

This is so incredibly important to remember: you are responsible for keeping track of your submissions! This is the information you need to keep a detailed record of:

The titles of the poems you submitted.

The title of the publication to which you submitted them.

The date you submitted the poems.

The submission fee you paid (if any).

The type of response you receive (acceptance, personalized rejection, form rejection, or author withdrawal).

We recommend keeping a spreadsheet customized for this purpose. If you simultaneously submit poems to multiple places (which is standard practice, but check the guidelines), and one or more of those poems are accepted by a publication, you will have to know which places you need to withdraw those accepted poems from. It is your responsibility to keep track of this. It is also your responsibility to withdraw those accepted poems from the lit mags still considering them in a timely manner — which means the same day you receive the acceptance for the poem(s) in question.

What to Expect (When You’re Waiting & Waiting & Waiting)

It will take anywhere from two months to one year for literary magazines to send you a response. Check the submission guidelines for this information. Many times, they will let you know how long they tend to hold onto submissions before responding. They will also let you know when it is acceptable to query about a submission — do not do this before the prescribed response time has lapsed. You don’t want to annoy the editors who are often working on hundreds of submissions at any given time.

You will want to make sure you are checking your email account regularly, so that when you do receive a response, you are able to get to it right away. Always check your spam or junk folder because sometimes they get erroneously filtered there! It’s also a good idea to log in to your Submittable account at least once a week to check the status of your current submissions because sometimes those emails can go astray.

If you receive an acceptance, don’t leave the literary magazine waiting! Make sure you respond to their message as soon as possible — in the precise manner and with the exact information they request — so that you don’t end up missing out on this publishing opportunity. Some publishers have a shorter turnaround time for issue production, so letting them know they have permission to publish your work sooner rather than later will be most helpful for the editors. If an accepted poem is simultaneously submitted elsewhere, you need to make sure you withdraw the accepted poem (from the lit mags still considering it) as soon as possible. If another publisher sends you an acceptance letter for the same poem, you’ll find yourself in an uncomfortable situation where you have to disappoint one editor or the other. If you receive a rejection, first of all, don’t take it personally. Allow yourself to feel the disappointment briefly, then let it go. There will be more of these than you will want to count. Second, do not reply to a rejection letter, unless it is absolutely clear that the letter has been personalized.

Best Practices

The best advice we can give you is this: always read the submission guidelines! They will be slightly different for each publication. Make sure you follow them, or your submission could be disqualified without being read. Here are a few terms you will need to become familiar with:

Blind submissions: If a publication says that submissions must be blind, that means that no identifying information is allowed to appear on your submission document: no name or contact information, either within the document or even in the file name.

Simultaneous submissions: This refers to submitting the same poems to multiple publications at the same time. Most journals accept this practice, but you must inform them about it in your cover letter. And, as mentioned numerous times above, you must also be responsible about withdrawing poems promptly if they are accepted at one publication while under consideration at others.

Finally, this is a very important thing to remember for first-timers: posting your poems to Facebook, Instagram, a blog, etc. will count as “previously published” for a literary journal. Most of them (not all — check the guidelines) will only consider work that is entirely unpublished. So, if you want to publish specific poems in literary journals or magazines, do not post them online in any form before publication.

Did you know that Tell Tell Poetry also offers Submission Support services? Reach out to us here for more information. We’re wishing you the best of luck with your poetry submissions!

Pssst. We’re launching a submission course soon! Drop an email to [email protected] if you’re interested in hearing more when we launch!

Comments (1)

This was Indeed helpful!

Publishing Poetry: Submit

What to Expect After Submission
Alternatives to Traditional Literary Publishing

Our best advice when submitting poems for publication?

1. Read the guidelines--every time.

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

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

1. Read the Guidelines and Prepare your Manuscript

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

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

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

2. Write A Cover Letter

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

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

3. Track Your Submissions

Keep track of your submissions.

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

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

Additional Resources:

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

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Query Letter Genre Essentials: Pitching A Book Of Poetry | Writer’s Relief

by Writer's Relief Staff | Query Letters , Uncategorized | 6 comments

Review Board is now open! Submit your Short Prose, Poetry, and Book today!

Deadline: thursday, february 22nd.

Even though few literary agents are accepting collections of poetry —it’s still a good idea to have a query letter on hand!

Why bother? Because, while literary agents may not be accepting query letters for poetry, MANY others are: Independent publishers are actively accepting query letters for books of poetry; editors/judges of writing contests are always on the hunt for full-length poetry manuscripts for publication, and writing residencies often request a query-like letter from applicants.

At Writer’s Relief, we know that if you want to get a book of poems published, you need to write a query letter that makes a good case why YOUR poetry collection should be published over someone else’s.

How To Write A Query Letter For A Collection Of Poems Or A Book Of Poetry

Strut your street cred . The best way to catch an editor’s eye with a poetry query is to demonstrate that you’re a poet worth noting . And you prove that with a list of poetry publications in reputable literary journals that also includes any nominations and awards. In a best-case scenario, many of the poems in your collection will have been published individually before you approach a publisher (unless, of course, your publisher prefers new work).

Drop names. If you’ve had the privilege of studying with great poets—or you’ve had your writing endorsed by another poet due to a good working relationship or even a contest win—don’t hesitate to do some name dropping!

Focus on your dedication to the craft. If your professional poetry bio seems a bit sparse, steer your reader’s focus toward your untapped potential by listing classes and workshops you’ve attended, educational awards, involvement in the local poetry scene, speaking gigs, and anything that demonstrates your commitment to (and love of) poetry.

Consider having a theme. Poetry collections that have a central theme are sometimes easier to shepherd into publication than poetry books featuring many unrelated poems. If your poetry book or chapbook has thematic unity, it might be worth mentioning. Just don’t go on (and on, and on) about your theme: State your intentions briefly and move on.

Proofread. This should go without saying, and yet…here we are. Proofread, proofread, and proofread again. (HINT: We’ve got professional proofreaders on staff who are trained to sensitively proof and/or format books of poetry.)

Don’t editorialize about poetry. Resist the urge to include anything in your cover or query letter that sounds like you have written a professional review of your own writing. In other words, don’t make promises that readers “will fall in love” with your book.

Hint at your outreach efforts . Marketing is sometimes a secondary consideration in the world of poetry. But publishers must eat. So if you’ve done any social media outreach, maintain an author website, or have any kind of following, it’s worth mentioning.

Talk a little bit about yourself. The strength of your poetry is the central factor of any query or cover letter pitch. But sharing a smidgeon of personal information can be a great way to demonstrate that you’re a real, approachable person with a story to tell. Just be sure to avoid query letter TMI.

KEEP READING: Want to make sure your poetry query letter strikes a professional tone? Start here.

Writing your own query letter may seem daunting, but the experts at Writer’s Relief can help! For our Full Service clients , our professional letter writing team creates effective query letters that are skillfully crafted to entice literary agents and build interest in their books. If you’re a DIY-type, you’ll find an easy-to-follow, step-by-step blueprint for writing a successful query letter using proven marketing techniques in our book, The Ultimate Query Letter Tool Kit by Writer’s Relief.

Question: What is your best tip for pitching a book of poetry?

Keep it up!

Agents rarely represent poetry collections, since there isn’t enough money in them. Your best bet is to approach small presses and university presses directly by submitting the complete collection. Always follow the submission guidelines, though. For example, some presses may ask for only a partial in order to get a sense of your style. Also, you will have a much better chance of acceptance if some of the poems in the collection were published in lit mags first, as this will give you “street cred.” It shows that you understand the poetry market and have developed your craft.

What is a chapbook? Some are asking for that. Please help.

A chapbook is a small paperback booklet, typically containing poems or fiction.

I came across a bunch of poetry my great grandfather wrote back in the early 1900’s. I typed them all up and came up with an 85 page book of his work. What would be the best way to go about getting it published?

You may find this article of interest. It discusses how to publish a poetry book, chapbook, or collection of poems: https://writersrelief.com/blog/2009/05/how-to-publish-a-poetry-book-chapbook-or-collection-of-poems/

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A Creative Cover Letter For Manuscript Submission

Should you include a cover letter when you submit a manuscript for journal publication? Of course, you do! Especially if the submission is unsolicited. That is you are cold-pitching an editor or offering something outside of the commission. Your cover letter will contain important introductory information, and contextualize what you are providing.

So, how do you proceed? Use our cover letter example as a reference point. Then customize it using the bonus cover letter writing tips.

Cover Letter Sample For Manuscript Submission in .docx Format

cover letter example for a manuscript submission

Download example (Word version)

Cover Letter For Manuscript Submission Example – Text Format

Dear Ms. Jeffries,

My name is Thomas Ninja, and I am a Ph.D. candidate studying Modern Culture at the University of Pennsylvania. I am submitting my manuscript titled, ‘The Cultural Impact of The Art of Ninjutsu’ for consideration as a Cultural Studies Journal research article.

This work reflects 9 months of research on the evolution of Ninjutsu from its use as a tool of covert warfare in Feudal Japan to its role in pop culture today. Along the way, I uncovered some meaningful connections between this metamorphosis and other socio-political changes that were also occurring in parallel. My research corroborates previous studies indicating that current events impact public embrace or objection to martial arts.

I believe this submission will be useful to your readers, as it addresses the topic of both modern and ancient using a unique phenomenon as a lens. The research stands to benefit students researching Pacific Rim Studies, Western Film and Pop Culture, and other phenomena.

I am submitting this work to you on May, 23rd, 2021. This work has not been published in another journal, nor is it in consideration for publication. I have informed my advisor as well as the two contributing researchers that I am submitting this work to you, and have obtained their permission to do so. Their names are listed in the attached document.

Please let me know at your convenience if you are interested in publishing this research.

Thomas Ninja

Tips For Writing a Great Cover Letter For Manuscript Submission

As you can see, this is a short cover letter . But it still packs a punch. In general, manuscript cover letters should not run too long as you are probably addressing a busy editor. The above means that every word should count. The follow-up tips will help you write your cover letter, format it correctly, and pitch it to the right publishers.

Get All The Right Information In

The person reading your cover letter will be looking for some specific information. Some of this will be in the header of your letter. But, there is a significant amount of data to include in the body of your letter as well.

Use the following as a checklist:

The name of the editor
The name of the journal
The title of your manuscript
Date of Submission
The type of manuscript you are submitting
Information on your research
Your methodology and instruments
What your conclusions are, and their impact on your discipline
Your contact information

Avoid Over The Top Descriptions

You are submitting an academic manuscript for publishing consideration. You aren’t selling a novel, pitching poetry , or convincing a hiring manager that you are the best fit for the job. Keep things formal and understated. (Even if you really want to get your research published!). Avoid using excessive superlatives to describe the research you’ve done or the work you are submitting.

Don’t write your cover letter to include phrases like ‘groundbreaking’ or ‘disruptive’. Also, don’t bury the reader in pointless jargon. If it can be communicated in plain English, do that. If it cannot be, provide a simple explanation.

Keep it Brief

A cover letter for manuscript submission should be three paragraphs at most. Present yourself and your research in paragraph one. Use paragraph two to detail how and why your work is relevant. Add a third paragraph to cover any formalities. That’s it. You are good to hit Send.

Confirm Your Permissions

The publisher will want to know that your work can be published without any issues. You need to assure them that they can.

To do so, include a statement that addresses the following points:

That you haven’t had the work published in other journals , or have permission from previous publishers.
You have obtained clearance from other researchers to submit the manuscript.
The manuscript is owned by you, and you have the right to submit it

Follow Instructions To a Dot

Research the journal and publisher. They probably have specific submission instructions. For example, they may dictate that all work is submitted as a PDF document. Or that you send them a separate list of research links. Take a few minutes to comply, so that you don’t lose an opportunity to be published.

Final Tip: Have a Response Prepared

Publishing in academics journals can be an involved process. The publisher may have additional questions for you. For example, you may be asked for article examples from their journal that are similar to theirs. They may also ask to clarify your research methods. Identify what might bring up more questions, and have some answers prepared.

Other Cover Letter Samples

Sample cover letter with no experience in the field, a powerful firefighter cover letter example, bartender cover letter example: on-point & memorable, event coordinator cover letter example.

A huge collection of cover letters created by a ninja team of writers and career advisors. Learn how to write, style and file cover letters that employers actually enjoy reading.

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Poetry - Submissions for Spring 2024 Contest Issue (53.2)

We are now accepting submissions for our annual poetry contest. The winner will be published online this May in phoebe 53 . 2. We encourage you to take a look at our previous contest winners. Only contest winners will win prize money, but we hope to publish some outstanding honorable mentions alongside our prize winner in phoebe 53.2. We look forward to reading your work. Submit online, and send us the best you’ve got!

The Basics:

All entries should include a cover letter with the submission’s title and author’s contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address).
Your name and contact information must not appear anywhere else on the manuscript.
You may submit multiple entries, but must pay an entry fee for each new submission.
Please submit your work in a Word Document or another similar processing system, if possible.
We will not accept mailed submissions. Please use our online submission manager.

DEADLINE: March 15 at 11:59 p.m. PRIZE: $500 and publication in phoebe 53.2 (digital issue) SUBMISSION SIZE: Up to five (5) poems per submission. phoebe welcomes and hopes to see literary and visual art from writers and artists of all races, ethnicities, national origins, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, genders, gender expressions, ages, abilities, military statuses, and other distinguishing identity traits. phoebe also welcomes and hopes to see literary and visual art from writers and artists of all genres, styles, and aesthetics. phoebe makes every effort to be open to all and closed to no one.

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Creative Cover Letter For Poetry Submission
How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter
Sample cover letter for the submission of manuscript
Author Cover Letter Examples (How to Write & Format)
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
Cover letter manuscript submission sample. Sample Coverletter

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How to write a cover letter to journal editor

COMMENTS

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
The specific submission process will vary among publishing companies, but in nearly all cases, you'll want to preface your submission with a cover letter addressed to the publisher's poetry editor. A strong cover letter may be the difference between being considered and ending up in the slush pile, so it's important to know what you're ...
Sample Cover Letters for Poetry Submissions
Dear Poetry Editor. Please consider the enclosed poems—"Watching the Ice Melt," "My Father," and "Relevant"—for possible inclusion in a future edition of Dayton Quarterly. After reading several sample poems online and the most recent print edition (especially work by emerging poet J. Alfred Prufrock), I feel like my work may be a fit with ...
How To Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission in 6 Steps
3. Use direct, respectful language. Throughout your cover letter, try to use direct language. In addition, try to only include necessary information or details that a journal specifically requests. This can allow you to keep your cover letter brief and concise in respect of editors' time as they consider your work. 4.
How to Write a Cover Letter for A Poetry Submission
Write the greeting and body. First, begin with the date. Next, write the salutation to the magazine, press, or publishing company. You can also address the poetry editor to personalize the greeting. Look at this template as an example of how to format it. The next step is to write the body of the letter.
How to Write a Poetry Submission Cover Letter
Addressing the Organizers/Publishers by name shows your professionalism and due courtesy. Covers letters that achieve this are bound to face warm reception and that is a good start for your submission. 3. Link to your past work. If it's your first submission, don't worry, your work will speak for you.
How To Write A Cover Letter For Your Poetry or Prose Submission
I submit to you four poems from my current manuscript in progress. In particular, the poem 'girl 1997.' comes from a series of poems about my mother and I, emphasizing our proclivity for ...
How To Write A Cover Letter For A Poetry Submission
19. Reading Series and Contests. 20. Networking Through Social Media. Writing an effective cover letter when submitting a poetry submission is an important step that should not be overlooked. It allows the editor or publisher to quickly understand what you are submitting and why it is suitable for their publication.
How to Write a Cover Letter for Poetry Submissions
Make sure then, to include the titles of the poems you are submitting, in quotations. And also reference the publication you are submitting to, the title of the publication in italics. But that is not nearly enough information, so we will want to include a few more things. Include your contact information and relevant social media accounts ...
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
Typically, cover letters for publication will make do with just 30 words while applications for poetry retreat, poetry residency, or a job will require 1 to 2.5 pages. Submission requirements contain all the information regarding the format of a cover letter. Our builder is a perfect way to get a cover letter in just about 8 minutes.
Creating an Engaging Cover Letter for Your Poetry Manuscript
Submitting your poetry manuscript to publishers or literary agents often requires a well-crafted cover letter that introduces your work and captures the attention of the reader. While the content of your poetry manuscript is paramount, a compelling cover letter can make a significant difference in piquing interest and increasing the chances of your work being considered. In this blog post, we ...
How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter
Cover letters can be anywhere from 30 words to 2.5 pages, depending on whether you are applying for publication (30 words to 1 page), retreat (up to 1 page), fellowship and residency (up to 2 pages), job (up to 2.5 pages), and so on. Definites for Publication: You definitely need to end the cover letter with a list your submission poems ...
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
This part of your letter should only be a few sentences long. You should say what you are submitting: "Attached please find three poems for the New Voices contest: 'Strawberry Spring,' 'The End' and 'With the Lilies.'". You should also include some credits, awards or other professional information if you have any.
PDF Sample Cover Letter in APA Style for Manuscript Submission
Dear Dr. Simpson, I am enclosing a submission to the Journal of Poetry and Psychology entitled "Poetry and the Cognitive Psychology of Metrical Constructs.". The manuscript is 40 pages long and includes four tables and two figures. I wish for the manuscript to be given a masked review. I request that my ex-partner [name blocked out] not be ...
What Is A Cover Letter For A Poetry Submission
A cover letter for a poetry submission is your opportunity to market yourself to a publisher. A successful cover letter for poetry submissions should be concise, include relevant information, and be sure to grab the attention of the reader. That's why it's important to make sure it includes the right elements.
How to write a cover letter and/or a query letter for submission
Both cover and query letters are letters of introduction. Both contain author bios and basic information about what is being submitted. The primary difference is that, while query letters include a synopsis of the project in question (in order to entice an agent to read more), cover letters do not. A cover letter presumes that the editor who ...
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 ...
Submission Series
We're wishing you the best of luck with your poetry submissions! Pssst. We're launching a submission course soon! Drop an email to [email protected] if you're interested in hearing more when we launch! Crafting a cover letter, writing a bio, and submitting your poems can be easy with the right support. Check out our tips to make it ...
Submit
Many journals accept simultaneous submissions for poetry; some don't. If the venue accepts simultaneous submissions, and you're sending your poems to multiple places, it's important to say so in your cover letter (see the templates linked in step 2, Write a Cover Letter, for more). Prepare your manuscript, following all posted submission ...
How to Prepare Poetry Manuscript Submissions
For book manuscripts: First, when submitting a poetry collection to a book publisher, it is best to request guidelines since press requirements vary from a query letter with a few sample poems to the entire manuscript. When submitting an entire poetry manuscript, use a separate cover sheet for your name, address and telephone number.
How to write a cover letter for journal submission
When writing for publication, a well-written cover letter can help your paper reach the next stage of the manuscript submission process - being sent out for peer review. So it's worth spending time thinking about how to write a cover letter to the journal editor, to make sure it's going to be effective.
How to Format and Submit Your Poetry Manuscript
If you've been writing poetry for a while, you may feel like you have a collection of poems that you're proud of. Maybe you've even published individual poems online or in journals. But if you're serious about making a career out of poetry, want to publish a book-length collection, for which you will need a manuscript.
Query Letter Genre Essentials: Pitching A Book Of Poetry
Resist the urge to include anything in your cover or query letter that sounds like you have written a professional review of your own writing. In other words, don't make promises that readers "will fall in love" with your book. Hint at your outreach efforts. Marketing is sometimes a secondary consideration in the world of poetry.
A Creative Cover Letter For Manuscript Submission
Cover Letter For Manuscript Submission Example - Text Format. Dear Ms. Jeffries, My name is Thomas Ninja, and I am a Ph.D. candidate studying Modern Culture at the University of Pennsylvania. I am submitting my manuscript titled, 'The Cultural Impact of The Art of Ninjutsu' for consideration as a Cultural Studies Journal research article.
Poetry
All entries should include a cover letter with the submission's title and author's contact information (name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address). Your name and contact information must not appear anywhere else on the manuscript. You may submit multiple entries, but must pay an entry fee for each new submission.

How to Write a Cover Letter for A Poetry Submission

Provide your contact information

Write the greeting and body

Write the closing

Provide exactly what they want

Tips to consider for literary magazines

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Check the guidelines before writing your cover letter for a poetry submission

The purpose of a cover letter for a poetry submission

Starting a cover letter for a poetry submission

The body of your cover letter for a poetry submission

How to write the closing of a cover letter for a poetry submission

Sample of an email cover letter with some credits for a poetry submission

Sample of a regular mail cover letter without credits for a poetry submission

Related posts:

What Is A Cover Letter For A Poetry Submission

Writing Style

Manuscript Format

Marketing Strategy

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The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor

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Terms to Know

Cover Letter That Needs Work

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Cover Letter Ready to Be Sent

What Went Right?

Submission Series: How It’s Done.

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Publishing Poetry: Submit

1. Read the Guidelines and Prepare your Manuscript

2. Write A Cover Letter

3. Track Your Submissions

Query Letter Genre Essentials: Pitching A Book Of Poetry | Writer’s Relief

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