cover letters for short story submissions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Research and… Research

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

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

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

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

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

Short and Simple

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

Courteous and Direct

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

Professional

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

How to Address a Cover Letter

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

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

What should be in a cover letter?

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

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

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

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

Don’t Put These in Your Cover Letter

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

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

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

Don’t Say These in Your Short Story Cover letter

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

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

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

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

Formats and Submission Guidelines

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

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

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

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

Sample Cover Letter for a Short Story Submission

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

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

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

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

Final Words on Cover Letters for a Short Story Submission

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

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

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

10 Impressive Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Hey fellow writers!

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

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

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

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

The Best Structure for Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cover Letter Examples for Short Story Submission

Recommendation for publication.

Dear [Editor’s name],

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

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

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

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

Best regards, [Your Name]

Request for Feedback

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

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

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

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

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Request for Partial Payment

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

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

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

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

Request for Exemption from Submission Fee

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

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

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

Re-Submission of Revised Short Story

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

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

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

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

Recommendation for Award Consideration

Dear [Award Committee Chair’s name],

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

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

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

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

Request for Expedited Review

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

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

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

Cover Letter Tips for Short Story Submissions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Should I mention any prior publications in the cover letter?

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

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

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

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

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

Wrapping It Up

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

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

How to Write Cover Letters for Short Stories

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

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

Don’t say:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now on to some formats!

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

(Your Name)

(Email Address)

(Telephone Number)

Dear Editor,

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

Thank you for your time and consideration.

(your name)

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

But sometimes submission guidelines are different from this format.

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

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

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

Your author website if you had one.

The name of the attached file that contained your story.

This was my cover letter:

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

Attachment: (last name)—Howl

Author website: www.JustBJordan.com

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

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

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

My cover letter:

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

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

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

Good luck on submitting those short stories!

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

3 Responses

Pat Hanratty

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

Where do I submit my story?

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

How to write a cover letter for short fiction submissions

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

How to write a cover letter for short fiction submissions:

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

1. Greeting

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

2. Information about your story

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

3. Your publication history

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

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

Here’s an example of a cover letter:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Example of a query letter:

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

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

Hope you found this post helpful! Happy submitting!

The Perfect Cover Letter: Advice From a Lit Mag Editor

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

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

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

A little research goes a long way

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

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

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

Terms to Know

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

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

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

Cover Letter That Needs Work

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

What Went Wrong?

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

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

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

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

Cover Letter Ready to Be Sent

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

What Went Right?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Proven Method Of Writing Short Story Cover Letters

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

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

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

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

How To Write A Cover Letter For A Short Story

Here are some of the highlights:

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

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

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

_______________

Richie Billing

12 Hobbiton Lane, The Shire, Middle Earth

T: 07458228888

E: [email protected]

W: https://richiebilling.com/

Dear Editors,

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

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

I appreciate you taking the time to consider my submission.

All the very best,

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

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

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

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

How To Write A Cover Letter For A Novel

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

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

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

More Help On Writing Cover Letters and Getting Published

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

List of fantasy publishers
List of fantasy magazines and journals
List of book reviewers
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Sample Cover Letters

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

Very Basic Cover Letter:

Dear Editors,

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

Sincerely, A. I. Robotsky

Cover Letter with Credits:

Please consider the following story for Strange Horizons .

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

Thank you, A. I. Robotsky

Cover Letter with Credits and Experience:

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

Cover Letter with Experience:

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

Strange Lusts
Azimuth Highlights
Staff Stories
Critical Friends

Cover Letter for Short Story Submissions

Authors who are newer to submitting short stories often wonder about what to say and what not to say in a cover letter. Because I've been getting a lot of these questions lately in regard to WonderBird Press anthologies, I'm including a template that anyone can use for WBP and any other submissions they see fit.

Quick Disclaimers:

The story itself is the most important piece. A great cover letter doesn't help a story that isn't a fit for that editor.

There is no "one right way" to write a cover letter. There might be a most preferred format for any given editor, which is unfortunately not always consistent or predictable. If a submission call makes a specific request, make sure to include that.

Don't lie often goes without saying, but also, don't try to round up or inflate your credentials. If you don't have any prior publications or associated life experience, that's okay.

Those items out of the way, here is the cover letter templat e I like to use:

Dear [Editor's Name or [Title] Selection Team], Thank you for considering my work for publication in [Title]. My [genre] short story, "[Short Story Title]," is [X] words, and it is not a simultaneous submission*. [In the next paragraph, you might talk about one or more of the following:]

If possible, list 3ish previous or pending publications/awards, prioritizing recognizable names, recent publications, or close genre associations to the current submission. If not, don't mention it.]

[If applicable, give at most one sentence about your personal or professional expertise related to the topic of your story--e.g. if you're an urban dragon breeder writing a story about urban dragon reader's, say so. If not, don't mention it.]

[If desired, mention 1 to 2 workshops, fellowships, intensives, groups, etc. that feel relevant and are not redundant--e.g. if you are a previous Writers of the Future winner, you don't need to list both the publication and the workshop. If not, don't mention it. For Murderbugs, please include "I am an active member of [group where you heard about the submission]".]

I look forward to hearing f rom you.** Regards, [Name]

*Some submissions will require in their guidelines that your story is not a simultaneous submission or not written by AI or something like that. This sentence is an opportunity to quickly indicate that you've read and acknowledge the guidelines.

**Some submissions will require that you also attach a brief bio or a synopsis in addition to attaching your story. You can say "As per your directions, I have also included..." prior to this sentence.

***Unless a submission asks for a synopsis or teaser for the story, it's usually advised to skip that part.

Need help submitting your writing to literary journals or book publishers/literary agents? Click here! →

The Fundamentals Of A Cover Letter For Poems, Stories, And Personal Essays

by Writer's Relief Staff | Cover Letters | 5 comments

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

Deadline: thursday, april 18th.

When you’re ready to submit your poems, short stories, or essays to literary journals for publication, you’ll need a cover letter.

Unlike the more complicated query letter you would send to a literary agent for a book project, a cover letter to a literary magazine contains only basic information about your writing submission and your author bio. It is not a sales pitch or a flashy bid for attention. Your cover letter should be professional, no more than one page, and show a knowledge of publishing industry etiquette.

Here are the essential parts of a cover letter:

1. Salutation. Whenever possible, use the editor’s full name. “Dear Sue Smith.” Never assume gender! “Pat” can be a “Patrick” or a “Patricia.” Read more: Savvy Salutations .

2. Introduction. State your intention clearly and include the title(s) of the work(s) you’re submitting: Please consider my poems, “Gray” and “To the Orioles,” for publication in Journal Name .

3. Don’t describe your submission. Don’t summarize your story or explain the themes in your poems. Trust us—it’s bad publishing industry etiquette. Editors may find it insulting if you presume that they can’t understand your work and need to have it explained to them. Plus, editors at literary journals pride themselves on how carefully they consider each submission. If you write a “teaser” into your cover letter, it will seem as if you suspect editors need to be tempted to do their jobs.

4. Your author bio . Include a short bio that lists your writing credits. You may want to add some selective information about your personal interests as well, especially if the details reflect on your writing (but avoid TMI ). If you want to publish under a pen name, note that here. Read more: Pseudonyms: Using A Pen Name In A Cover Or Query Letters To Agents Or Editors .

5. The closing. Be sure to sincerely thank the editor for his or her time.

6. Your signature (your real name).

7. Contact info. Since most submissions are now made electronically, the best place to include your contact information (mailing address, phone number, email address, and author website ) is below your signature.

If you’re printing your cover letter to send a submission via standard postal service, then the letterhead and contact information should be at the top. And while your letterhead is the one place in your cover letter where you can show some individuality, be sure to choose a font that is clean and easy to read. You can tweak standard templates to reflect your personal taste—but avoid using images or too many colors.

And that’s it! You’re ready to send your cover letter and writing submission out to literary journals. To learn more about how to write an effective cover letter, check out our Most Popular Articles for cover and query letter writing .

Very helpful…thank you

Have you got an example of a good cover letter that I could see?

Hi Leander,

If you follow the steps outlined in the article, you will have an effective cover letter.

This was duly described and easy to understand. Very helpful.

Failure to read the directions is the biggest error you might make at this crucial step of the publication process. The instructions can often be found on a publication’s main submissions page on their website or on their Submittable page. Before entering your information and uploading your document, read it once (or twice), then once more before clicking the “Send” button.

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Short Story Submissions: How to Publish a Short Story or Poem

by Anna Zumbro

After a tornado of critiques and revisions, you’ve got a story or poem that you’re ready to share with the world. Now what do you do?

Navigating the world of submissions and getting to the emerald city of publication can be daunting. Let this article be your yellow brick road to literary success.

Use Submission Grinder and other market research

First, you’ll need to decide where to submit your work. There are a number of resources that can help you. Duotrope tracks thousands of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction markets and operates on a paid subscription basis. It allows you to search by genre, length, pay scale, acceptance rate, and estimated response time. The Submission Grinder is a free database, similar to Duotrope, that currently tracks fiction markets only. Ralan lists speculative and humor publications. Poets & Writers maintains a searchable database of literary journals and contests. Other sources include The Review Review and Writer’s Market .

Understanding pay scales during the short story & poetry submission process

Pay scale is often divided into four categories: pro, semi-pro, token, and non-paying or “for the love.” Professional rates for short stories are $0.05 USD per word or higher (some organizations, such as Science Fiction Writers of America, use $0.06 per word as the minimum for pro rates). Semi-pro publications pay $0.01 per word or higher up to pro rates, while a token payment is less than $0.01 per word. For poetry, a payment of $50 per poem and higher is considered a professional rate. Less than $5 per poem is a token payment, while anything between $5 and $50 is semi-pro. Non-paying publications do not offer money, though they may offer contributor copies. These definitions are mainly used to determine membership requirements for different writing organizations. Higher-paying markets are generally more selective.

Many writers look at acceptance rates and response times and conclude that their best bet is to submit lots of pieces to lots of markets. Can you submit your story or poem to several different markets at once? Can you send several pieces at the same time? Well, it depends.

Simultaneous poetry or short story submissions

The first scenario—sending one piece to different markets at the same time—is called a simultaneous submission. Some markets allow you to do this, while others require that you give them exclusive consideration. The market’s guidelines will tell you their policy. If you decide to submit simultaneously, make sure all the markets to which you send the piece accept simultaneous submissions. After your work is accepted at one place, you’ll need to withdraw it from all the other markets; that’s difficult to explain if those market don’t allow simultaneous submissions, and can lead you to get a negative reputation among editors. For this reason, it’s a good idea to divide markets into tiers according to preference. Submit first only to the ones where you’d most like to be published. After you’ve heard back from all of them, send the story or poem to the markets on the next tier.

Multiple Poetry or Short Story Submissions

The second scenario—sending several pieces at the same time to one magazine—is most commonly allowed for poetry and flash and is called a multiple submission. Read the guidelines carefully to find out how many pieces you can submit at once.

Keep in mind that many markets do not accept work that has already been published, and if they do, you must identify it as a reprint. Work posted publicly on a blog is considered published. To be safe, password-protect any work that you choose to post on a blog if you think you may submit it.

Potential Poetry or Short Story Submission Fees

Finally, some markets charge submission fees, often two or three dollars per submission. Contests may charge more. Although you always want to be careful when paying for submission services, a fee is not an automatic sign of a scam. Many legitimate markets charge them to pay for their submission manager or the cost of printing submissions, and often allow you to send your work by mail without paying a fee. However, there are also numerous markets at all pay scales and prestige levels that do not charge fees. It’s possible to make lots of submissions without ever paying to do so. If you’re not sure whether or not a fee is worth it, it’s a good idea to research the market further and ask other writers for advice.

Formatting your short story or poetry submission

When you read submission guidelines, you’ll find that many markets require you to submit in Standard Manuscript Format. If you’re not familiar with this, you’re in luck: this Academy article explains what to do.

Standard Manuscript Format is common, but not universal. This is one reason it’s important to check the guidelines. Some markets want you to remove your name and contact information from the work (don’t forget the header!), so they can judge submissions blindly. Some want you to save your attachment in .rtf or .txt or to paste it in the body of an email rather than attaching it. Some may ask you to insert the phrase “Van Halen hates brown M&Ms” just to prove you’ve read the guidelines.

So what’s a writer to do? That’s right—read the guidelines.

If you need to attach the document, put your last name and the work’s title in the file name (or the title only if it’s a blind submission). Editors get dozens of attachments titled some variation of “Magazine Submission.” Make your work easy to find.

Writing your poetry or short story cover letter

The only information you need to include in your cover letter is the title and category of your submission, approximate word count or line count, and your name. Keep it polite, professional, and to the point. Here’s an example:

Dear Literary Genius Quarterly Editors, I am submitting my short story, “The Telltale Abbey,” for your consideration. It is approximately 3200 words long. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Jane Poe

If you know the name of the editor, you can address it to them. If the work is a reprint, identify it as such. Some magazines also ask you to note if the work is a simultaneous submission. If you’re submitting by email, use a clear subject line like “Submission: [Title] by [Author]” (or whatever the guidelines specify).

You can also add a line listing previous publication credits. If you do this, limit yourself to the top three. Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous credits—many magazines are happy to discover new writers.

Logging and Tracking your short story or poetry submission

Once you’ve sent your work off to see the publishing wizard, make sure to record the title, market name, and date that you submitted. Duotrope and The Submission Grinder both allow you to record this information online, as well as to see how long other writers’ submissions have been pending. A simple spreadsheet works too. This information will help you stay organized, and, if you need to, query.

With short stories and poetry, a query is a request for information on a pending submission. A market’s submission guidelines often tell you how long you should wait before querying. Markets that use Submittable let you check your status. Otherwise, see how long responses usually take on Duotrope or The Submission Grinder. If your submission is far past what’s been reported, it may be time to write a message explaining what you submitted and when, and asking if they received it and have any information for you. Keep it short and sweet.

After you’ve logged your submission information, try to put it out of mind. A great way to stop obsessing? Write, so you have more work to submit.

Getting a rejection

We’ll start with rejections, because those are most common, even if you’re the great literary hope of your generation. All writers get rejected, even the masters . This article alludes to The Wizard of Oz ; L. Frank Baum, its author, collected his rejections in a “Record of Failure.” Though it may feel like failure, think of it as progress toward publication. It’s not enjoyable, but it does get easier with time.

Here’s what you should not do if you get a rejection. First, don’t respond to the magazine, not even to say thanks. They’re busy enough with new submissions, and continuing correspondence will only take up their time. Never, ever respond to explain your story or complain about the decision. It won’t change their mind on this submission, and it might lead them to automatically reject your next one. Even if you never submit there again, don’t send an angry response. Editors talk.

If the editor includes specific comments about your story or poem (think “Jack was an intriguing character,” not “I enjoyed reading this”), that’s a personal rejection. It may include advice about how to improve your story or poem. As with advice on Scribophile, consider it, but don’t feel bound to follow it if you disagree. Another editor might like your work exactly as it is.

Second, don’t let a rejection lead you to believe that your work is bad. Rejections happen for lots of reasons. Maybe your steampunk squid romance was too similar to an already accepted piece. Maybe you sent them a great epic poem, but they only have space left for a haiku. Maybe they really did like it, just not enough. So send it out again, quick. There’s probably someone out there who will love it.

Getting an acceptance

Congratulations! Your work has been accepted! After dancing for joy, what should you do?

Let the editor know that you’ve received the acceptance and send them any information they may have requested, such as an author bio. If the publication pays its contributors, they’ll probably send you a contract. Read this carefully before you sign. Make note of what rights you’re selling. The contract should specify how long the publication has exclusive rights and where (print, online, geography/language) as well as any non-exclusive, archiving rights. Once the exclusive rights have expired, you will be free to submit the piece as a reprint or to self-publish it. Return the signed contract, making sure to save a copy.

Withdraw any pending simultaneous submissions. Share the news. And celebrate! There’s nothing like finding your work a home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Name Your Address Your Telephone Number Your Email Address

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

Dear [Editor’s Name]:

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

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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

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

About the Author:

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

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How To Submit Your Short Story To The New Yorker

As one of the most prestigious publications for fiction, poets, and journalists, The New Yorker receives thousands of short story submissions every year. But with its famously rigorous selection process, getting published in The New Yorker is no easy feat. If you want to submit your own literary short story, you’ll need to make sure your work and cover letter stand out among the competition.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview: To submit to The New Yorker, email your story as a Word doc or .rtf file under 5,000 words. Include a cover letter with details about your work. Adhere to their strict formatting guidelines and only submit finished drafts of your very best work.

Understand The New Yorker’s Submission Criteria

High-quality literary fiction only.

When submitting your short story to The New Yorker, it’s important to keep in mind that they are looking for high-quality literary fiction. The magazine has a long-standing reputation for publishing some of the best works in the genre, so it’s essential to make sure your story meets their standards.

The New Yorker is known for its commitment to artistic excellence and pushing the boundaries of storytelling, so your submission should reflect that.

Stories under 5,000 words

The New Yorker has a strict word limit for short stories: they prefer submissions that are under 5,000 words. This allows them to publish a wide range of stories and gives readers the opportunity to enjoy a diverse selection of narratives.

Keeping your story concise and focused will increase your chances of getting it accepted by The New Yorker.

Unique storytelling and compelling themes

The New Yorker values unique storytelling and compelling themes. They are looking for stories that stand out from the crowd and offer a fresh perspective. Don’t be afraid to take risks with your writing and explore unconventional ideas.

The magazine is known for its thought-provoking content, so make sure your story leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Polished drafts ready for publication

Before submitting your short story to The New Yorker, it’s crucial to ensure that your draft is polished and ready for publication. The magazine receives a high volume of submissions, and they are more likely to consider stories that require minimal editing.

Take the time to revise and edit your story before submitting it, and consider seeking feedback from fellow writers or a writing workshop to make sure it’s in top shape.

Follow The New Yorker’s Formatting Guidelines

Submit .doc or .rtf files.

When submitting your short story to The New Yorker, it is important to follow their formatting guidelines. The preferred file formats for submission are .doc or .rtf. These formats ensure that your story can be easily accessed and read by the editors.

Avoid submitting your story in formats that may cause compatibility issues, such as .pdf or .pages.

Single-spaced, 12 pt. font

The New Yorker requires that your short story be single-spaced with a 12 pt. font. This format makes it easier for the editors to read and evaluate your work. Keep in mind that using a smaller font or double-spacing may result in your story being rejected.

It is important to adhere to the specified font size and spacing to increase your chances of acceptance.

Italicize any words not in English

If your short story contains words or phrases in a language other than English, it is recommended to italicize them. This helps the editors understand that the words are not typos or errors, but intentional parts of your story.

Italicizing non-English words adds clarity and enhances the overall reading experience for the editors.

Include page numbers

When submitting your short story to The New Yorker, it is crucial to include page numbers. This helps the editors keep track of the order of the pages and ensures that your story is complete. Additionally, including page numbers shows that you have taken the time to carefully organize your work, which reflects positively on your professionalism as a writer.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter

Your cover letter is the first impression you make on the editors at The New Yorker, so it’s important to make it strong and compelling. Here are some key elements to include:

Summary of 2-3 sentences

Start your cover letter with a brief summary of your short story. Highlight the main theme, characters, and plot points in a concise and intriguing way. This will give the editors a clear idea of what your story is about and pique their interest to read further.

Relevant background about you

Provide a brief overview of your relevant writing experience or background. Mention any awards, writing workshops, or degrees that showcase your dedication and passion for writing. This will help establish your credibility as a writer and demonstrate your commitment to the craft.

How you found their submission info

Share how you came across The New Yorker’s submission guidelines. Whether you discovered it through their website, a writer’s forum, or a friend’s recommendation, mentioning this shows that you have done your research and are serious about submitting to them.

Previous publications (if any)

If you have been previously published, include a list of your most notable publications. This could be in literary magazines, anthologies, or online platforms. Highlighting your past successes can help build your credibility and show that your work has been recognized and appreciated by others.

Remember, the cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong first impression, so make sure it is well-written, concise, and professional.

For more information on crafting a cover letter for literary submissions, you can refer to Literary Hub’s guide on how to write a cover letter for a literary magazine submission. They provide valuable tips and insights that can help you create a standout cover letter.

Review Submission FAQs on Their Website

If you’re considering submitting your short story to The New Yorker, it’s important to familiarize yourself with their submission guidelines. One of the first things you should do is review the submission FAQs on their website.

These FAQs provide valuable information about the submission process and can answer many of the questions you may have.

Can’t submit multiple stories at once

One important thing to note is that The New Yorker only accepts one story at a time. So, if you have multiple stories that you’d like to submit, you’ll need to choose the best one and submit it separately. This allows the editors to give each story the attention it deserves.

No simultaneous submissions

The New Yorker does not accept simultaneous submissions, which means you should not submit your story to any other publications while it’s under consideration at The New Yorker. This is a common policy among many literary magazines and helps ensure that the publication has exclusive rights to the story if it’s accepted.

Only submit finished drafts

The New Yorker only accepts finished drafts of short stories. It’s important to spend time revising and polishing your story before submitting it. Make sure it’s the best possible version of your work before sending it in.

The New Yorker looks for well-crafted, compelling stories that showcase strong writing and unique perspectives.

Be prepared to wait several months

Submitting to The New Yorker requires patience. The review process can take several months, so be prepared to wait for a response. While waiting, it’s a good idea to continue working on other writing projects.

Remember, the publishing industry often moves slowly, and it’s not uncommon for response times to be longer than anticipated.

For more detailed information and answers to specific questions, be sure to visit The New Yorker website’s submission FAQs section. It’s a valuable resource that can help guide you through the submission process and increase your chances of success.

Submit via Email to Fiction Submissions Editor

If you dream of having your short story published in The New Yorker, the first step is to submit it to the Fiction Submissions Editor. Submitting your work via email is the preferred method, as it allows for easy communication and efficient processing of submissions.

Send to: [email protected]

To submit your short story, simply send it as an email attachment to [email protected] . Make sure to address it to the Fiction Submissions Editor, who will be responsible for reviewing your work.

Include cover letter in body of email

Along with your short story, it is important to include a cover letter in the body of your email. The cover letter should introduce yourself and briefly summarize your story. It is also a good idea to mention any relevant writing credentials or previous publications, if applicable.

Keep the cover letter concise and professional.

Attach Word doc of story file

When submitting your short story, it is recommended to attach a Word document of the story file. This ensures that the formatting and layout of your story remains intact. Avoid sending your story as a PDF or any other file format, as it may cause compatibility issues.

Add SUBMISSION in subject line

To ensure that your submission is properly categorized, it is important to add the word “SUBMISSION” in the subject line of your email. This helps the Fiction Submissions Editor quickly identify and sort through the incoming submissions.

Remember, submitting your short story to The New Yorker is a highly competitive process. It is essential to carefully follow the submission guidelines and present your work in the best possible light. Good luck!

With its distinctive prestige and massive readership, The New Yorker is many writers’ dream publication. Submitting your own short story requires carefully following their guidelines and presenting your best work in a professional manner. Understanding their selectivity and unique process will help you craft a submission that stands out. While publication is highly competitive, take your time polishing a compelling story and cover letter to give yourself the best shot at success.

This guide covers all the key details, from properly formatting your story file to emailing the fiction submissions editor. With a pristine draft, engaging narrative, and convincing cover letter, you’ll be primed for a solid submission to The New Yorker’s esteemed fiction section. Just be sure to thoroughly review their website first and follow all specifications to avoid easy mistakes.

Hi there, I'm Jessica, the solo traveler behind the travel blog Eye & Pen. I launched my site in 2020 to share over a decade of adventurous stories and vivid photography from my expeditions across 30+ countries. When I'm not wandering, you can find me freelance writing from my home base in Denver, hiking Colorado's peaks with my rescue pup Belle, or enjoying local craft beers with friends.

I specialize in budget tips, unique lodging spotlights, road trip routes, travel hacking guides, and female solo travel for publications like Travel+Leisure and Matador Network. Through my photography and writing, I hope to immerse readers in new cultures and compelling destinations not found in most guidebooks. I'd love for you to join me on my lifelong journey of visual storytelling!

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How to Format a Short Story Manuscript for Submission: a Checklist

When you submit a short story to a literary magazine , the editors expect your story to be formatted in a very particular way. Before you submit, make sure to follow the following guidelines:

The Short Story Formatting Checklist

Write your name, address, phone number, and email address in the top left corner of page 1.
Include the word count in top right corner.
Always use 12-point, courier font.
Always double-space.
Use 1-inch margins.
Include the title of your story and your author name ½ of the way down the first page.
Indent your paragraphs (like a book). Don’t use line breaks (like a blog).
Include a top-header with your last name, the abbreviated story title (no more than 3 or 4 words), and the page number in top right corner, beginning on page 2.
Use a pound sign (#) to separate any line breaks.

Submission Package

If you mail your short story:

Do not staple your pages. Leave them unstapled, loose leaf.
Include a brief cover letter mentioning the title of your story, a 30-word bio, and any major publications you’ve been accepted in.
In the package, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

To see an example and read a fuller explanation of standard formatting, get your copy of Let’s Write a Short Story! a guide for writing and submitting short stories to literary magazines.

About Joe Bunting

Joe is a ghostwriter, editor, and author. He writes and edits books that change lives. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter .

149 Replies

Courrier font? you must be a line from Guidelines published in some 1970s magazine that was torn out of paper, chewed up, spat out and somehow entered the brain of Joe Bunting, who seem to be born in late 1970s or eaerly 1980s.

You submit the way they want you to submit, whether you approve of their style or not, or they throw your piece out, it’s that simple. If they want you to submit your piece all in Wingdings, with a graphic page frame, you do it. Courier is legible, period. It’s not a question of what aesthetic you like, it’s only ever a question of what the editor likes. If they still like Courier, you submit in Courier, end of discussion. What’s the problem?

Thank you joe I really appreciate for the format and story thank you

Unsurprisingly, most editors were born well BEFORE that. That’s standard manuscript formatting, whether it fits your “modern” sensibilities or not. Sorry!

Most good editors, that is!

Does it have to be explained that if you make the manuscript hard for the editor to read, you probably won’t get published, no matter when you were born? Current “individualism” doesn’t matter one iota if you are pushing your own ways of submitting on to the editor. That’s a sure way to get that rejection letter and your individually formatted submission right back to your mailbox!

How to write a story

Joe, What do you mean when you state don’t use a line breat?

Just that you don’t have a gap between paragraphs.

I WRITE SHORT STORIES FROM MY REAL LIFE AS I WROTE MY SHORT STORIES WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN MANORAMA WEEKLY AT THE YEARS 1962 ONWARDS .– Dr. Punnoose Chitrapuzha – Ph:: 9288801811

GREAT INFORMATION, THANK YOU!!!!

Oops! I meant “BREAK.”

Thanks again!

Thanks. This was a very helpful article. I stumbled upon it as I was doing some research. I am a member of thewritepractice.com another valuable resource especially for new writers.

Thanks Jonathan! Appreciate your support. 🙂

What does seem to be missing from this article is whether one should align one’s work left, full, or all. I know some editors can get very picky about this, and you don’t address the issue at all. Is it because it varies widely, or is it because you assume we already know the answer? In either case, I do not know the answer… Me admit, me dopey.

Also, what is the generally-preferred file format for electronic submissions? .doc? .rtf? I’m guessing it’s *not* .pdf… Any advice would be appreciated.

Left is fine.

For e-submissions, each publication is different. They’ll tell you on their guidelines. It’s usually .doc but sometimes .pdf is accepted. Thanks!

That faithful morning I bump into him while rushing to meet my auntie who just return from Lagos.watch were ur walking he said as he bends to pick the papers which fell during the accident.i never bothered to say sorry I only had a quick glance at him and never stop walking like who is being chased by an angry lion,auntie blessing have been in Lagos for 13year so I can’t wait to see her.when I was close to the train station I decided to call her to know her position so i deep my hands into my pocket to get my phone but I couldn’t find it

just a hint

Very informative article. Thank you for writing this, I’m glad I accidentally stumbled upon this.

Thanks for your tips. Reading these comments and some people are so fkn ungrateful. You’re appreciated.

Thanks for this. I have to say I am a bit shocked about Courrier and the insistance on it. I was sure any font that was fixed with, Times Roman or Times New Roman I think, is what I always use. No wonder I get rejected right? I have never put my name and address on the short story itself as many submissions ask for a blind copy. Meaning the writers details only go in the email not on the story itself. Good to know this so I can get my act together. Cheers

Hi Joe Just stumbled on this (and will be picking up your book) as I was researching short story submission formatting. Up to now I’d always placed my contact info in the upper right, with the word count just below the title and author info mid-page, which is how I had been taught. But folks in my writing group have constantly been “correcting” my work, with the suggestion I use your format. (Nice to know they have been right!) My question, after that long-winded intro, is, do you indent the opening paragraph? Once again, I’d been shown that opening paragraphs for each chapter (or the beginnings to a short), as well as any paragraph following a scene break, were NOT to be indented, as this helped clarify “a new beginning” as it were. I’ve also used an inch and a quarter margin, which is probably minor detail, but the devil is in the details, now, isn’t he? The rest, including the use of the 12-point Courier font, double-spacing (here I was taught 15 lines on the first page, and 25 for all subsequent), and header info falls right in line with my old school learnings. Thanks for reading, and thanks for the info – very helpful!! Take care Jim

Joe, do you write The End at the end of a short story?

Hi Joe! Thanks,its a good article. But why to include top header with our last name?

The exact information I was looking for. Thanks Joe!

so you indent the paragraph and don’t press enter?

Well, you’re at the top of my Google search. Must be a reason for that. Your format is one I’m familiar with (but I’m 59, so I may be used to the old, chew-up, spat out version you mentioned). I was just curious if online submissions require the same. I guess they do, based on what you’re saying. Thanks Joe.

What is the standard for introductory quotes? Should they simply follow directly after the title and author, halfway down the first page, directly before the text begins? Should they be centered, with sources centered below each quote? Thanks in advance for any input you can offer.

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Is there a standard format for the subject line (if not indicated)? I usually use Short Story: (Story Name)

If writing under a pseudonym, should I include my real last name or my working last name in the top-header with the (shortened) title? I know the pseudonym goes in the byline and my real name should go in the signature block, and I assume the pseudonym should also go in in header, but I’m not sure. Thank you!

Hi, Joe! Thank you for the simple and informative checklist. I have only one question. It may seem a bit stupid, but:

You say to include the word count in the top right corner of page 1, but is that the word count for only the story itself, or including all the formatting stuff, like name and title and all that?

Thank you again, and sorry for replying about 5 years too late!

Hi, one question about separating sections. Let’s say we have a new scene or change or location, I read somewhere that we should use a new line with a “#” centered, but, should we include blank lines around it? I mean, after the last paragraph ended, should I add one blank line, then the centered #, then another blank line, and then the first paragraph of the new section/scene? Or what is your recommendation? Thanks!

Very sound advice. Individualism is excellent in some aspects of life, not all. Now the counter is it can drive change, and I’m all for that. If the poster responding with “1970’s” can get it by their way, great, but they could stand to humble themselves some, in my opinion. Snarky, sarcastic comments do not help in the advancing of agendas. It is a natural deterrent.

Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?

Not bad, but we’ve seen better. … …

You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.

Always follow your heart.

What People are Saying

“This book is an excellent primer for those wondering where to start developing their writing talent. Painless and simple, let Joe’s book walk you through the world of the short story and motivate you to pen a weekly tale, teaching you to take baby steps then more as you become a writer of substance. — C. Hope Clark , fundsforwriters.com and author

“We all need a good kick in the pants once in a while!” — Beck Gambill , writer

“Joe Bunting presents a well-organized, thoughtful guide filled with tips that all writers will find useful.” — Elizabeth S. Craig , bestselling author, Mystery Writing is Murder

“If I were alive, I would read this book.” — Ernest Hemingway , author

“Makes me want to start a new story right now!” — C. S. Lakin , author, writing coach, livewritethrive.com

“Joe’s book is both a manifesto and manual for cultivating a solid body of work. It’s become the first resource I recommend to aspiring fiction writers.” — Keith Jennings , author & artist

Nathaniel Tower

Juggling writing and life

How to Submit a Short Story

Last Updated on September 27, 2020 by Nathaniel Tower

Getting your short story published is often more difficult than actually writing the story. Even with thousands of literary magazines accepting short stories for publication, you still have less than a 10% chance of getting your story published any time you submit.

Unless you know exactly how to submit a short story.

With a smart submission strategy , your chances of acceptance can double, triple, or even quadruple.

If you follow this formula for submitting your short story, you will be celebrating your publication sooner than you thought possible.

Step 1: Find the perfect publication to send your story

The top secret for getting your short story published isn’t to have the best short story idea ever. No, you need to find a publication that’s a perfect fit for whatever story you’ve written. After all, a terrible story submitted to the right venue has a better chance of publication than a great story sent to the wrong venue.

Here are some general tips for finding the perfect venue to submit your short story:

The right word count. If your story is too long or too short, they won’t publish it.
The right genre. Although many literary magazines claim they don’t prefer a specific genre, there are even more that do. If you send your science fiction short story to a publication that primarily publishes romantic thrillers, then you don’t stand much of a chance. For magazines that don’t have a clear genre, avoid sending pure genre fiction. For example, don’t send a horror story to The New Yorker. It’s not going to get published.
The right aesthetic. Every publication has a style. That doesn’t mean all of their stories read exactly the same. Rather, it means there are patterns in the types of stories they publish. This may sound difficult to figure out, but all you need to do is read a handful of previously published stories. If your story is nothing like the ones you read, then it’s probably not the right publication.

Those aren’t the only factors that go into finding the right publication for your short story, but they will get you 90% of the way there.

Now that you’ve found the perfect place to submit your short story, let’s go to the next step.

Step 2: Submit your story in the right format

Literary magazines are notoriously picky about the format of short story submissions . The wrong margins, font size, or spacing will land you immediately in the rejection pile.

Not every publication tells you exactly how to format a story. If they do, you need to follow their guidelines no matter how ridiculous they sound. If they don’t provide any formatting guidance, then your best bet is to use standard short story format .

Of course, formatting isn’t just about having the right margins and fonts. You also need to save it as the right file type (Word Doc, PDF, RTF, etc.) And you need to make sure you send it using the right method. Fortunately, many publications make it exceptionally easy to submit a short story by using Submittable. For those that don’t, you will likely either need to email your story or use an online form.

There are very few publications left that don’t accept electronic submissions. For those that don’t, you’ll need to print your story and buy some stamps.

If you are emailing your story, make sure you follow their guidelines regarding attachments. Some publications do not allow you to submit attachments, which can make formatting your story a nightmare. In these cases, just do your best to get the story to look readable in the body of your email.

Okay, now that you know how to format the short story for submission, let’s talk about one more thing before you send it out.

Step 3: Include a brief cover letter and author bio with your story submission

While not every publication requires a cover letter and author bio, it’s generally best practice to include one unless they specifically tell you not to send it.

When you submit a short story, you should keep your cover letter brief and to the point. Unlike a novel query, a short story cover letter is not typically a pitch. Instead, you are simply writing a greeting, a brief introduction to yourself and the story, and a closing. Here are the best things to include in the cover letter:

The name of the publication
The name of your story
An approximate word count
A brief reason why you are submitting, if applicable

For example, you might say:

Dear Editor (use a name here if you know it, but make sure you don’t assume the editor’s gender ):

Please consider “Name of Story” for publication in Name of Journal. I believe this short story of approximately XXXX words will be a great fit for your journal because of its whimsical tone that aligns with the stories you typically publish.

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

And that’s pretty much all there is to it.

Don’t get carried away with the cover letter. A lot of editors don’t even read them until right before they reject or accept your story.

You also typically want to include an author bio with your submission. This can be pasted at the bottom of your cover letter. If you are submitting your short story through a submission manager like Submittable , there may be a separate field for your author bio. If the publication requests a specific word count for your bio, make sure you follow their guidelines. Otherwise, a standard author bio will usually suffice.

Step 4: Submit your short story and track your submission

Once you’ve picked your publication, formatted your story, and written your cover letter and author bio, now it’s time to hit send. But that’s not the end of your job.

You also need to make sure you track your short story submission. Using a simple submission tracker like this free one will make it easy for you to:

Know how many times you’ve submitted your story
Withdraw your story if it’s accepted elsewhere
Determine any patterns of rejection that might suggest you need to rewrite the story

It may seem like an extra chore to track all your short story submissions, but I promise it will save you time and headaches in the long run. If you don’t log all your story submissions, then it’s only a matter of time before you send a story to a publication that’s already rejected it or forget to withdraw a story when it was accepted elsewhere. These types of mistakes will make editors very upset !

Final thoughts on how to submit a short story

Submitting your short story may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. By using the tips above, you can quickly get your story into submission shape and reduce the likelihood of rejection.

I’ve submitted my short stories over 1,300 times and have had over 200 acceptances using the formula above. In my early days of writing and submitting stories, I followed the old mantra of: if you throw enough shit at the wall, some of it will stick. As you can probably guess, not much stuck. Once I fine-tuned my process, I saw a huge increase in acceptances and income from my short stories.

Once you’ve mastered the art of submitting your short story, your next step will be to sell your short stories . When you’re first starting out, you may try submitting your stories to publications that only pay with exposure, but eventually you’ll want to move up to the big leagues! Fortunately, the process of selling your short stories isn’t much different than submitting your stories to non-paying venues. It’s all about finding the right publication and sending your best story in the right format.

So that’s all there is to it. Now it’s time for you to go submit something!

Have additional thoughts, comments, or questions about submitting short stories? Post a comment below, and remember to share this post on all your favorite channels.

3 thoughts on “ How to Submit a Short Story ”

Hi Nathanial, I just discovered your website and appreciate yourself expertise. I am a published writer with a successfully followed Facebook blog page. I would love to try submission to magazines. I write about recovering from grief based on wonderful love stories. There has to be a way to expand my work!

Thank you for listening

[email protected]

I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!

Where can I send everything (manuscript ETC). My compute, for some reason, will not copy and paste to companies??????.