what is a cover letter in poetry

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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.

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 covering letter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

– DO thank the editor for their time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published April, 2015

14 thoughts on “ How to write a covering letter ”

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

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

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

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

Please do clarify this and i would be really thankful

I appreciate your commitment towards poets

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

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

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

Best of luck!

Young Poets Network

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

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

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

Does that help? Best of luck!

Should you sign a cover letter with attached poems?

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

Hope this is helpful!

Best of luck,

Helen at Young Poets Network

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

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

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

thanks for the prompt response. it’s very helpful

No worries – best of luck!

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

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

All the best,

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 ..

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!

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Alex Knepper's Newsletter

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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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

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Submitting poetry to literary publications is a way to gain recognition and build a readership for your work. Along with your submission, you will also need to write a cover letter. The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and your work to the editor and demonstrate your interest in their publication. In this article, we will guide you through the process of crafting a cover letter that catches the editor's attention.

Understanding the Purpose of a Cover Letter

A cover letter is an essential part of submitting your work to a publication. It serves as an introduction to you as a writer and your work. A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant impact on the editor's decision to accept or reject your submission. Here are some tips for writing a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Introducing Yourself and Your Work

When introducing yourself, it's essential to keep it brief and to the point. Start by providing your name, where you are from, and how long you have been writing poetry. You can also mention any previous publications or awards you have received. However, make sure that the information you provide is relevant to your submission.

Next, introduce your work. Mention the title of the poem you are submitting and provide a brief summary of its content. This will give the editor an idea of what to expect from your submission and help them understand how it fits into their publication.

Demonstrating Your Knowledge of the Publication

Before submitting your work, it's crucial to research the publication you are submitting to. This will help you understand the types of poetry they publish, their style, and their audience. When writing your cover letter, demonstrate your knowledge of the publication by mentioning specific poets or themes that they have covered. This will show the editor that you are genuinely interested in their publication and that your work would fit well into it.

You can also mention any previous publications you have seen in the publication and how they have inspired you. This will show the editor that you have a genuine interest in their publication and that you are familiar with their content.

Showcasing Your Passion for Poetry

Poetry is a form of literary art that requires passion and dedication. When writing your cover letter, showcase your passion for poetry by telling the editor why you write poetry, what inspires you, and how your work can impact readers. Convey your enthusiasm for the art form and for the opportunity to be featured in their publication.

You can also mention any workshops, readings, or other events you have attended that have helped you develop your craft. This will show the editor that you are committed to improving your writing and that you take your craft seriously.

In conclusion, a cover letter is an essential part of submitting your work to a publication. By following these tips, you can write a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting your work published.

Formatting Your Cover Letter

Contact information.

Make sure to include your contact information, including your name, address, phone number, and email. This makes it easy for the editor to get in touch with you if they have any questions or want to accept your submission.

Greet the editor by name if possible, and use the appropriate salutation (Dear, To, etc.). If you do not know the editor's name, try to find it online or use a neutral salutation (e.g., To the Poetry Editor).

Body of the Letter

The body of your letter should be no longer than one page. Use a clear and concise writing style and avoid being too formal or too casual. Include the following elements in your letter:

Introduction of yourself and your work
Mention of your knowledge of the publication
Showcase your passion for poetry
Brief description of your submitted work
Closing and signature

Closing and Signature

Your closing should be professional and courteous. Thank the editor for their time in reading your submission and express your hope that they will consider it for publication. Sign your full name at the end of your letter.

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

Personalizing your greeting.

Start your letter off with a personalized greeting. Address the editor by name (if possible) and briefly explain why you are writing to them specifically. This shows that you have taken the time to research their publication and that you have a genuine interest in it.

Briefly Mentioning Your Background

After your personalized greeting, mention a bit about your writing background. When did you start writing poetry? Have you had any publications in the past? Keep it concise but let them know that you have previously published work.

Highlighting Your Connection to the Publication

Finally, highlight your connection to the publication. Why did you choose to submit your work to them specifically? What about their publication speaks to you and your work? This will encourage the editor to keep reading and take a closer look at your submission.

Describing Your Poetry Submission

Providing an overview of your work.

When describing your submitted work, start with a brief overview. What is the subject matter of your poetry? What themes do you explore? What styles do you use? This gives the editor a sense of what to expect and whether your work is a good fit for their publication.

Mentioning Themes and Styles

Expand on the themes and styles you use in your poetry. What sets your work apart from others? What unique voice or perspective do you bring to your writing? Be specific and give examples from your submitted work.

Discussing the Inspiration Behind Your Poetry

Finally, discuss the inspiration behind your poetry. What motivates you to write? Are there any personal experiences or influences that have shaped your work? This gives the editor insight into your creative process and adds depth to your submission.

By following these guidelines and using HTML formatting, you can craft a cover letter that showcases your passion for poetry and demonstrates your dedication to the publication you are submitting to. Good luck with your poetry submission!

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Use the following prompt in an AI chatbot . Below each prompt, be sure to provide additional details about your situation. These could be scratch notes, what you'd like to say or anything else that guides the AI model to write a certain way.

Compose a thorough and articulate cover letter that will accompany your submission of poetry, with the aim of presenting yourself and your work in the most compelling and professional manner possible.

[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]

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The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor

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

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

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

A little research goes a long way

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

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

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

Terms to Know

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

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

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

Cover Letter That Needs Work

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

What Went Wrong?

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

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

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

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

Cover Letter Ready to Be Sent

Dear Elise, Please consider this 1,457-word short fiction piece, “Summer.” I recently participated in the 2 Elizabeths Open Mic Night, and am an avid reader of the fiction and poetry that you publish. “Summer” is a fictitious tale inspired by the impact of a whirlwind, yet meaningful, romance I experienced last year. In this story, I gently explore the life lessons associated with young love, with a touch of humor. This is a simultaneous submission, and I will notify you if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Thank you for your consideration. Kindest Regards, John Doe

What Went Right?

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

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

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

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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[Help] What do I write for the cover letter of a poetry competition submission?

I'm submitting to a poetry competition, but submissions include a 'cover letter' field. I've only ever written cover letters for job applications.

What are the sort of things people running the competition are looking to read in a cover letter? How much should I write? Should I explain the poem or its context? Do you think what I write will impact my prospect of being long-listed/short-listed?

Any advice would be welcome.

NB: The overall judge of the competition won't be involved at this stage of submission; the poems will be anonymous when the judge finally receives them.

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By Radhika Jones

King Charles III Queen Camilla Prince William and Princess Catherine

A t the height of the conspiracy theories about Kate Middleton’s whereabouts after a planned surgery , as rumors swirled about body doubles, deepfakes, and other deceptive tactics of the disinformation age, it struck me that the British monarchy was again—ironically—proving its resilience. Outside of world leaders and Taylor Swift (more on her shortly), who but the future Queen of England could generate such attention, such interest, such unhinged speculation? The truth turned out to be humbling, scary, and all too common. A cancer diagnosis is the great leveler, the kind of thing everybody fears and all the money in the world can’t prevent. In our cover story , Katie Nicholl explores its chilling effect on the House of Windsor, in a season when not one but two of its four core members began treatment for cancer and the family was forced to find a new balance between privacy and publicity. They’ve also had to reconcile King Charles’s vision of a “slimmed-down monarchy” with the reality that, for an institution that trades not just on pomp and circumstance but on personal presence, a deep bench may be necessary.

As for our American queen, at least for the moment: I had read about the Harvard class being taught this spring on Taylor Swift and then realized that the professor, in addition to being an influential poetry scholar and critic, was a former classmate of mine (also at Harvard). Stephanie Burt’s piece about the experience of teaching Taylor Swift and Her World at a university that had a tumultuous year , to put it mildly, reminded me that whatever else we read and see about college life, its core competency ought to be education in the most liberal sense. I’m a humanist and an idealist, granted, but I think her goal—to teach students how to think about works of art—is a noble and valuable one. Given the protests that swept across campuses this year, Harvard included, I submit both that students are more politically engaged than older generations give them credit for being, and that precisely because of our fractured culture, it’s all the more important that the younger generation be able to interpret and navigate the world with a critical eye. They’re the ones we need to help put it back together. Maybe some of them will do it through song.

With all that in mind, I went to my 30th college reunion in June and bought a collection of Stephanie’s poems, titled We Are Mermaids , at the Grolier Poetry Book Shop. Its slim spine belies its expansiveness; with wit and great generosity of spirit, Stephanie gives voice to a range of objects and abstractions, from airplanes to shields to marks of punctuation, within the context of larger explorations of identity. The rhymes and forms sneak up on you, potent little surprises. It had been a while since I made room for poetry, read a whole contemporary volume in one sitting the way you’d listen to a new album or walk through an exhibition. I closed the book feeling exhilarated. I highly recommend the experience.

Radhika Jones

Editor in chief, royal watch.

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King Charles Becomes the Patron of His “Tough” Scottish Boarding School

By Katie Nicholl

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3 Keys to Writing Cover Letters That Stand Out

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3 Keys to Writing Cover Letters That Stand Out was originally published on Vault .

It's a myth that high quality job openings are few and far between thanks to Covid. The truth is, despite the economic uncertainty created by the pandemic, there are many great openings out there. And to get them—or, at least, have a chance at getting them—you first need to capture the attention of hiring managers. And the best way to do that is to write compelling cover letters. So here are the three keys to writing cover letters that stand out.

1. Convey your personality, quirks and all.

Showcasing your uniqueness and allowing your personality to shine through in your cover letters can magnetize hiring managers, sending instant messages that you might be the candidate they're looking for. The secret to achieving this is to use specific details, rather than vague ones.

For example, the following was recently used by an applicant when applying for a Head of Marketing position (shortly after sending this, the candidate was interviewed and then hired):

“I have a passion for data and analytics. I enjoy spending (a little too much time) geeking out in Google analytics, advertising platforms, and BI tools (Tableau and Looker), digging deep into data to identify opportunities that can be leveraged to drive growth and inform testing strategies for campaigns, websites, and products.”

Now compare the above to the below (which has less personality and fewer details, and thus would likely not stand out):

“I am well versed in data analytics, and I am experienced with Google analytics, BI Tools, and other advertising platforms. I have a proven ability to inform testing strategies for campaigns for websites and products.”

Here's another example of cover letter phrasing that captures the attention of hiring managers:

“I'm rather obsessed with personal organization. I read three organizational blogs on my own time, and I've organized my desktop folders into color-coded sub-categories. My friends laugh at me for saying things like, ‘An organized space equals an organized mind,' but I don't like wasting time looking for things.”

Now compare that to this less specific phrasing:

“I have a proven track record of being organized, and I have a passion for it. I have a proven knack for keeping files organized on an ongoing basis, and I have put organizational processes and procedures in place for my department. The bottom line is organization is always my highest priority.”

2. Prove your level of dedication to your profession.

Another way to stand out is to illustrate specific things about your dedication to your field. In the following example, a candidate showcases her dedication to her profession, proves that she spends a lot of time thinking about driving results in her field, and shows that she takes concrete steps in order to be a high quality contributor in her field. All of which goes a long way when it comes time for hiring managers to decide which candidates to interview.

“I believe that a good marketing strategy requires seeking out the latest trends and staying one step ahead of the competition. I've attended the Traction conference two years in a row and completed the 2018 Reforge Growth Series, a highly credible and exclusive course that only accepts 10 percent of applicants and is built by leaders from Hubspot, Uber, and other firms. Through these professional developments, I've opened my mind to uncommon marketing methods, and I pride myself on thinking outside the box to develop strategies that create sustainable, low-cost customer acquisition loops that lead to long-term positive ROI.”

Now compare the above to the below, which is less detailed and includes less specific phrasing:

“I have the skills and requirements for this position, and I believe I would complete every task asked of me to the highest standard expected. My background and experience make me an excellent fit for this position for many reasons. I am very interested in marketing, and I think I would be a great asset to the team.”

3. Include concrete, quantitative results that show your value.

In any written application, you'll need to showcase some form of quantitative results to stand out. Note that even if you don't have a lot of shiny results in your career yet (or even any relevant experience—which is okay!), you can still use words to capture someone's attention with what you have done. And if you do have a record of achieving quantifiable results, then by all means include them, like in the below:

“I developed several Google ad campaigns that were worth more than $500,000 and that resulted in high-level customers. Also, through testing and optimization, I increased newsletter sign-ups by more than 200 percent.”

Now compare that to this bland sentence:

“I have experience in Google ad campaigns, as well as experience in testing and optimization.”

A final note

When trying to convey your personality, get across your dedication, or communicate your value, there's a big difference between saying you're a good fit for the job and actually showing it.

So, when writing your cover letters, try to hold these words in mind: I know you (the hiring managers) don't know me, so let me show you exactly why I'm completely invested, committed, and passionate about doing this specific type of work. And let me show you the specific reasons why hiring me, over all other candidates, would be beneficial to you.

If you hold all this in mind, the right details and words will flow right out of you—and into your cover letters.

Natalie Fisher is best known for helping professionals land their ideal roles and achieve explosive salary growth (even with little experience). If you want to dive deeper on the topic of your career mindset and become a person who knows exactly how to land their dream job offer, listen to her on the podcast Get a Six Figure Job You Love .

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Careers at UW–Madison Extension

Extension is your opportunity to bring university resources to communities across Wisconsin. We bring research, solutions, guidance, and partnership to all areas of the state. Make a difference where you live by joining our team and supporting families, businesses, organizations, and more.

Application Information

Resume tips.

Before applying, be sure to update your resume to best reflect your experience and qualifications related to the job you are applying for.

Include experience – include your work history and lived experience that is relevant to the position. Highlight roles and responsibilities that are related to the qualifications on the job announcement.
Include relevant skills – provide a clear overview of your skills and how they fit the job.
Include training/education – describe any coursework that matches the job requirements.
Include any personal details in your resume that do not relate to the job. Examples include gender, ethnicity, photos, or political party.

Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

A letter of qualifications is a document which highlights specific examples of your experience and/or training as they relate to each of the required and preferred qualifications listed in the position description.

Example: The job that you are applying for includes experience in planning and teaching educational programs and ability to work cooperatively with other agencies and community-based organizations. In your letter of qualifications, you would list these details:

My experience in planning and teaching educational programs is….
Examples of work I have performed that include planning and teaching educational programs are….
My experience working cooperatively with community-based organizations is….
Examples of work I have performed in cooperation with community-based organizations include….

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Local News | Truth Thomas, Howard County’s inaugural poet…

Local News | Truth Thomas, Howard County’s inaugural poet laureate, is striving to ‘bring people together’

Truth Thomas, the inaugural Howard County Poet Laureate, at the Bollman Iron Truss Bridge. Thomas ofter writes in the nearby Savage Mill. He will serve for two-years in the position, a partnership between Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Arts Council and the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

“That’s what … art does. At its best, it reports on all of the ugliness and all of the beauty that life is,” he said.“I’ve always wanted to try to bring people together in the work that I do, so that the generations that follow will have a better life than, hopefully, the ones that we live now.”

Thomas, who lives in Columbia, is the founder of Cherry Castle Publishing; won the 2013 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry; and has been published in more than 150 publications , in addition to his own collections.

As of April, he’s also Howard County’s inaugural poet laureate , the first face of a new program initiated to spread and uplift the art form .

The launch of the honorary two-year role, introduced by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in partnership with the Howard County Arts Council and the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society, means that Thomas will become a familiar face — and voice — as he reads his poetry at county events.

Howard County's inaugural poet laureate Truth Thomas reads at the annual Books in Bloom event in May.

His appointment coincides with the poetry society’s 50-year anniversary, and he’ll soon be joined by a youth poet laureate .

“Words connect. Words can help heal,” Ball said. “Especially in these perilous times, people want to be connected. They want to be inspired. They want to have their hopes, dreams, aspirations, their pain, their passions to be heard and conveyed in ways that a poet laureate can help communicate and articulate.”

Howard County government’s funding for the position — which comes with a stipend of $5,000 per year — was proposed in Ball’s Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget and approved by the County Council, his office said. It comes in the form of a grant to the Howard County Arts Council.

“This is the first time, and whenever you do something for the first time you’re breaking ground and you’re blazing trails,” Ball said, adding that he hopes the program will continue beyond Thomas’ term.

Poet laureate programs already exist in the surrounding Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Tara Hart, co-chair of Howard County Poetry & Literature Society, said talk of establishing the current poet laureate program “opened up” last summer when it was announced that three Columbia streets would be named in honor of former resident and late poet Lucille Clifton , who had served as Maryland’s poet laureate and as a longtime artistic director of the literary group.

ORG XMIT: NYR115 Lucille Clifton, a 2000 National Book Awards finalist for her poetry 'Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems 1988-2000,' attends a reception prior to the awards ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

“Having a formal role in the celebration of poetry is something that aligns very closely with our mission of enlarging the audience for the appreciation of contemporary literature. And we believe that poetry is for everybody,” Hart said.

She added that the poet laureate will be “infusing” poetry into everyday spaces where it might not be so expected.

“I personally hope it will elevate poetry in the consciousness of Howard County residents,” said Coleen West, the executive director of the Howard County Arts Council.

People are often exposed to poetry in school and at open mic events, but those aren’t the only avenues, said Sylvia Jones, the associate poetry editor at Black Lawrence Press and an adjunct creative writing lecturer at Goucher College and George Washington University.

Earlier this year, she served on a review panel alongside Maryland’s 10th poet laureate Grace Cavalieri and literary activist and author E. Ethelbert Miller to make a recommendation to Ball’s office regarding who would become the Howard County poet laureate — a task she said was made more “strenuous” by the fact that it would be the county’s first.

“I could see a definitive map of growth in his work on the page,” she said of Thomas.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Thomas grew up in Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C., and studied political science at Howard University. He recalled spending part of his time at what was then the African American Resource Center, directed by Miller .

Thomas didn’t graduate, instead heading to Los Angeles in the early 80s to pursue a career in music as a singer-songwriter. There, he was signed to Capitol Records and released an album called “Take Love” while still using his birth name, Glenn Edward Thomas.

He started performing at slam poetry events in D.C. after being inspired by the 1998 movie “Slam.”

“That was the first time that I had seen people express themselves passionately without music, and move people,” he said of the film.

After returning to Howard University for workshops led by author and poet Tony Medina, Thomas got an MFA in poetry at New England College. He joined the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society, where he was formerly a writer-in-residence and a member of the advisory group.

“D.C. shaped me as an artist. Howard shaped me very much,” he said.

Recently, he’s taken to photographing and writing about the different neighborhoods of D.C. — “going to every part of it, the roughest parts and the most genteel, to write about the dichotomy that exists,” he said.

June 4, 2024: Truth Thomas, the inaugural Howard County Poet Laureate, at the Bollman Iron Truss Bridge. Thomas ofter writes in the nearby Savage Mill. He will serve for two-years in the position, a partnership between Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Howard County Arts Council and the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

In Howard County, he does much of his writing at Savage Mill and Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Church.

As poet laureate, he’s interested in launching a series of writing workshops, where he’ll teach forms of verse including his own, called “Skinny” poetry, which he said consists of 11 lines and has its own set of rules .

“I just want people to write whatever is on their hearts,” he said. “Although it’s true Howard County has pockets of great diversity … we’re in America, and we have challenges, like every other part of America.”

Hart described Truth’s poetry as facing head-on “the ways in which we are divided.” West said he is “soft spoken, but he has really great power in his words.”

Truth Thomas was introduced as Howard County's inaugural poet laureate during HoCoPoLitSo and Howard Community College's annual Blackbird Poetry Festival in April.

Thomas’ work “speaks to the times, not just the county,” Miller said.

In a poem titled “On Holy War,” Thomas writes: “… A headless boy stops and asks me / if he’s Israeli or a Palestinian’s son, and which / of the bullets that struck him, was the holy one.”

Various organizations have requested Thomas’s presence at their events, Hart said. At Books in Bloom, a Columbia literary event that included readings from Thomas and others, he recalled a young attendee who said poetry was “cool.”

Howard County’s new youth poet laureate position, planned as a one-year term with a $500 honorarium, will begin in August and will give the poet an opportunity to “be a voice of a generation that is too often unheard,” Ball said.

Thomas, with the bulk of his tenure still ahead of him, is part of a blossoming poetry network in Howard County.

Speaking about being the first, he referenced a line by the late poet and author Maya Angelou when he said “Nobody makes it all alone.”

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
Most poetry publications allow writers of all levels to submit poetry, provided that the writers abide by the submission guidelines. 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.
Sample Cover Letters for Poetry Submissions
Email Cover Letter Without Attachments. Dear Poetry Editor. Please consider the following poems (included within the email message as requested in your guidelines)—"Watching the Ice Melt," "My Father," and "Relevant"—for possible inclusion in a future edition of Dayton Quarterly. After reading and enjoying several poems online (especially ...
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 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 Cover Letter For Poetry Submission
Your cover letter should be both concise and persuasive, and provide the recipient with the key reasons why they should consider publishing your poetry. When writing a cover letter for poetry submission, you should include the following essential elements: your contact information, a short personal introduction, the title and word count of the ...
How To Write A Cover Letter For Poetry
Analyse Your Poetry. One of the most important parts of writing a cover letter for poetry is to analyse your work. Re-read every poem and consider how it adds value to the journal, as well as its quality. Comparing each piece to your previously published work can help you to gauge how competitive they are.
How To Write A Poetry Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter for a poetry submission can be intimidating and overwhelming. However, it is a critical part of the poetry publishing process. An impressive and insightful cover letter can help an editor to quickly evaluate a submission and make a favorable decision about whether to accept or reject it. Here are some tips for crafting a ...
How to Write a Cover Letter for A Poetry Submission
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 ...
How To Write A Cover Letter For Your Poetry or Prose Submission
A cover letter can't do all the work but… A cover letter won't get you published all by itself, but it could give you the edge you've been looking for in the publishing world.
How to write a covering letter
If it's a letter, DO give a postal address and email address in the top right hand corner. - If you are submitting by post, DO include your name and postal or email address on each poem. That way, if the poems get separated from the covering letter, the editor will still know who to contact. - DO give your full name and the names of your ...
How to Write a Poetry Cover Letter
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.
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
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.'".
Submission Series
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 ...
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.
How to Make a Poetry Cover Letter
Greetings MVP's! Struggling writing a cover letter for your submission or looking for assurance? Check out my quick five tips and read some in depth info and...
How To Write A Cover Letter For Poetry Submission
4. Reading the Guidelines. 5. Correspondence. 6. Know Your Rights. Writing a successful poetry submission requires a lot of preparation and thought. A poet must take the time to write a compelling cover letter in order to stand out among the competition. A cover letter is an important part of the poetry submission process, as it serves as the ...
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission
Understanding the Purpose of a Cover Letter. A cover letter is an essential part of submitting your work to a publication. It serves as an introduction to you as a writer and your work. A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant impact on the editor's decision to accept or reject your submission. Here are some tips for writing a cover ...
The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor
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.
[Help] What do I write for the cover letter of a poetry ...
Sincerely, [Name] Key aspects of submissions cover letter: Include the name of the editor and the name of the publication. Be sure to change it before each submission. Look at the pub's masthead if you need the editor's name. Include the # of poems and their titles (unless titles aren't relevant). Say if the poems are previously published.
Cover Letter Templates and Examples for 2024
Our cover letter templates can save you time and give you a significant jump start. Rather than beginning from scratch, you can focus your efforts on customizing the content to fit your specific situation and the requirements of the particular job. Cover letter templates can help you with the following: Structure and organization
Free online cover letter generator
Finally, you don't have to build anything from scratch. That's always the most difficult part. And now it's the part you can just skip. Our free cover letter templates are ready to use and fill in with minimal effort. The attention-grabbing beautiful designs and organized structure have been tested and vetted.
Radhika Jones on Kate Middleton, King Charles, and the Royal Family's
editor's letter. july/august 2024 Issue. ... In our cover story, ... in addition to being an influential poetry scholar and critic, was a former classmate of mine (also at Harvard). ...
3 Keys to Writing Cover Letters That Stand Out
Here's another example of cover letter phrasing that captures the attention of hiring managers: "I'm rather obsessed with personal organization. I read three organizational blogs on my own time, and I've organized my desktop folders into color-coded sub-categories. My friends laugh at me for saying things like, 'An organized space equals an ...
How to Address a Cover Letter
Addressing a cover letter to a recipient with a professional title. If the recipient of your cover letter has a professional title, always include it. Someone with a PhD will be a doctor rather than a Mr/Ms. This also makes things easier if you need help deciding which personal pronoun to use. Addressing a cover letter without a named recipient
How To Write A Cover Letter For A Poetry Submission
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. Learning the necessary ingredients and executing them with ...
Careers at UW-Madison Extension
Letter of Qualifications (cover letter) A letter of qualifications is a document which highlights specific examples of your experience and/or training as they relate to each of the required and preferred qualifications listed in the position description.
Truth Thomas, Howard County's inaugural poet laureate, is striving to
To Truth Thomas, poetry is a way of documenting life — as is music, as is photography. "That's what … art does. At its best, it reports on all of the ugliness and all of the beauty that ...
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What Is A Cover Letter For Poetry Submission
A cover letter for poetry submission aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to a prospective publisher. It outlines the poet's experience and provides an overview of their work and motivations. By submitting a cover letter alongside their poem, poets can establish a personal connection with their future audience.

How to Write a Poetry Submission Cover Letter

What is a Cover Letter for Submitting a Poem?

Why Do They Need It?

What a Good Cover Letter Should Have

A Courteous Tone

Right Context

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

Poetry Publication

Poetry Retreats, Residencies, and Fellowships:

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

2. Address the Organizers/Publishers by name

3. Link to your past work

4. Stay On Topic

5. Skip Unnecessary Pleasantries

6. Provide Contact Information

Poetry Cover Letter Example

Write A Great Cover Letter, Submit Delicious Poetry

Recommended Reading...

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 covering letter

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

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

What is a Cover Letter for Submitting a Poem?

What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Writing a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

A Basic Template for a Poetry Cover Letter

Sample Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

Tips on Writing a Cover Letter for Poetry Submission

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

Understanding the Purpose of a Cover Letter

Introducing Yourself and Your Work

Demonstrating Your Knowledge of the Publication

Showcasing Your Passion for Poetry

Formatting Your Cover Letter

Body of the Letter

Closing and Signature

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

Briefly Mentioning Your Background

Highlighting Your Connection to the Publication

Describing Your Poetry Submission

Mentioning Themes and Styles

Discussing the Inspiration Behind Your Poetry

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Cover Letter for a Poetry Submission

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The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor

A little research goes a long way

Terms to Know

Cover Letter That Needs Work

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