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The cover letter accompanying your manuscript submission might come as an afterthought, but should in fact serve as a crucial component of your submission package. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly enhance the chances of your manuscript being sent for peer review rather than being rejected at the editorial level. Here are ten tips to help you write an effective cover letter that will capture the editor’s attention and highlight the value of your work.

Top 10 tips for writing a manuscript cover letter

1. Address the Editor by Name

Personalizing your cover letter by addressing the journal editor by name shows that you have taken the time to research the journal and its editorial board. This small gesture shouldn’t be taken for granted.

2. Mention the Journal

Clearly state the name of the journal to which you are submitting your manuscript. This emphasizes that your cover letter is tailored specifically for that journal, rather than being a generic letter used for multiple submissions.

3. Highlight Your Manuscript Title                                                  

Include the title of your manuscript early in the cover letter. This provides context and allows the editor to quickly identify your work.

4. Summarize Key Findings

Briefly summarize up to three key findings or take-home messages from your manuscript. This summary should be compelling and clearly demonstrate the significance and novelty of your research. Highlighting these points can pique the editor's interest and underscore the relevance of your study.

 5. Assert Exclusivity

Clearly state that your manuscript is not being considered for publication in any other journal.

6. Mention Previous Presentations

If your work has been presented at conferences or other scientific meetings, mention this in the cover letter. This can add credibility to your study and indicate that it has already been subjected to some level of peer scrutiny.

7. Maintain Professional Formatting

Ensure that your cover letter is professionally formatted. Use formal language, proper greetings, and appropriate sign-offs. A well-structured and polished letter reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

 8. Be Concise

While it is important to provide relevant information, keep your cover letter concise (1 page or less as a general rule). Editors are often pressed for time, so a brief and focused letter is more likely to be read thoroughly.

9. Tailor to the Journal’s Scope

Demonstrate your familiarity with the journal’s scope and audience by succinctly explain how your manuscript fits within the journal’s focus areas and why its readers would find your work interesting and valuable.

10. Proofread Thoroughly

Before submitting your cover letter, proofread it carefully to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or formatting issues.

Sample Cover Letter Structure

Here’s a basic structure you can use for a cover letter:

[Your Name]

[Your Affiliation]

[Your Contact Information]

[Date] 

[Editor’s Name]

[Journal’s Name]

Dear Dr. [Editor’s Last Name],

I am pleased to submit our manuscript entitled “[Title of Your Manuscript]” for consideration for publication in [Journal’s Name]. Our study addresses [briefly describe the study’s topic and significance], and we believe it offers novel insights that will be of great interest to your readers.

The key findings of our study include:

1. [Key finding 1]

2. [Key finding 2]

3. [Key finding 3]

We confirm that this manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Additionally, parts of this work were presented at [conference name, date], where it received positive feedback and interest from the attendees.

Thank you for considering our manuscript for publication in [Journal’s Name]. We look forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name] 

[Your Position] 

[Your Institution]

Improving your chance of a successful submission

Crafting a strong cover letter can significantly improve the chances of your manuscript advancing to the peer review stage. By following these tips, you can present your work in the best possible light and demonstrate why the journal is the best fit for your work. If ultimately you aren't successful, don't worry. You can always try Resub for free and reformat it for your next target journal in minutes!

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