How to Write a Proper Short Story Cover Letter

I struggle with cover letters for short stories (and poetry), especially when I use Submittable. It doesn’t help that I’ve read dozens of articles that provide conflicting advice. Alex Shvartsman, who has edited a number of books and anthologies, including the delightful UFO – Unidentified Funny Objects, offers the best I’ve read: Less is more.

Can you figure out why this wasn’t accepted? (Cory Doctorow)

To find out how much less, check out his blog on short fiction cover letters.

One addition I would make. I dispense with “Dear editor.” If I don’t know the editor’s name, I tend to begin with the opening paragraph. I do, however, close with “Thanks.”

How to Write a Proper Short Story Cover Letter

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