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A cover letter for any journal submission should be brief, polite, and explain why that journal should consider your article. We’ll explore how to write a cover letter in detail in this blogpost.
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What is the purpose of a cover letter?
What to include in a cover letter?
What should not go in a cover letter?
What is the purpose of a cover letter?
The cover letter for a journal submission is meant to
- Highlight your article’s novelty and contribution to existing knowledge
- Outline your article’s match with the journal’s aims and scope
- Provide a compelling reason why the journal should consider the article for publication
What to include in a cover letter?
In your cover letter, you usually should include the following
- The journal editor’s name and designation
- Name of the journal you are submitting to
- The complete title of your article and submission ID if available
- A brief explanation of what your study contributes, what makes it novel, and why it is suitable for publication in that journal
- Name and complete contact information for the corresponding author (include country and area codes for your phone number)
- Names and basic contact information of co-authors
- A statement that all authors have approved the manuscript and agreed to submit it to that journal
- A statement that the manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration at any other journal
- A brief mention of conflicts of interest (or that there are no conflicts of interest)
- Names and institutional email addresses of potential peer reviewers (include ORCIDs if possible too)
- If you’ve been invited to submit the article, specify this.
Pro tip: Many journals have specific guidelines about what to include or exclude in your cover letter. Always consult the journal guidelines before writing your cover letter.
For example, Science asks you to disclose the names of colleagues with whom you have shared the paper prior to its submission.
What should not go in a cover letter?
The following should usually not be included in the cover letter:
- A copy-paste of your abstract
- Heavy jargon or abbreviations that aren’t widely known
- Lengthy descriptions of funding information, conflicts of interest, or ethical disclosures
- Emotional appeals for publication
Some journals also explicitly list what should not go in your cover letter. For example, PLOS ONE asks authors to not include requests to reduce or waive publication charges.
Cover letter example
Here’s an example of a cover letter for journal submission.
Dr. Sabudana Khichdi
Editor-in-Chief
Diabetes Advances in Research
Dear Dr. Khichdi,
Please find enclosed our manuscript entitled “Long-Term Effect of Miltufumbicab on HbA1c Changes in Type 6 Diabetes” for consideration for publication in Diabetes Advances in Research.
This study investigates the long-term impact of Miltufumbicab therapy on glycemic control, with a specific focus on HbA1c changes in patients diagnosed with Type 6 Diabetes. Our findings provide important insights into treatment efficacy, sustained metabolic outcomes, and potential implications for clinical management of this patient population. We believe that the manuscript will be of significant interest to the readership of your journal, particularly clinicians and researchers working in diabetes therapeutics and metabolic disease management.
This manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. All authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with its submission to Diabetes Advances in Research. We confirm that the study was conducted in accordance with ethical standards and that any necessary institutional approvals were obtained.
We believe that our work contributes meaningfully to the growing body of literature on innovative therapeutic approaches in diabetes care and aligns well with the scope and mission of your journal.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pumpernickel Hotchocolate
Corresponding Author
Department of Coriander, Shakshuka University
18, Kimchiramen Road, Paparazzi, Wogglypogglynesia
Hotchocolate.p@shakshukauniv.edu
+203-456-2029117
ORCID: 0000-1234-5678-9000
Frequently Asked Questions
Whom to address the cover letter to?
The cover letter is usually addressed to the editor-in-chief of the journal. You’ll find this information on the journal’s website, in the About or Editorial Board sections.
Is the cover letter a separate file?
The cover letter is usually a separate file (in MS Word or PDF). Some journals provide a text box in the submission system in which you have to write or paste the cover letter.
Is a cover letter mandatory for submission?
Some journals don’t ask for a cover letter or consider them optional, because they extract all required information from their editorial management system anyway. Always check the guidelines of your target journal to see if a cover letter is required.
What is a resubmission cover letter?
A resubmission cover letter is a cover letter submitted when you have revised your manuscript as per reviewer comments. It usually briefly thanks the journal editor and reviewers, and concisely summarizes key changes made to the paper in 2-3 lines.
