You’ve written the perfect paper and now you’re ready to submit it to a journal for publication. You know your paper is good, but does the journal agree? Will they reject it or accept it on the first reading?
How do you make sure your academic article gets published? The answer: by submitting a good cover letter with your manuscript submission.
A cover letter is an essential part of any academic submission and should be included with every manuscript sent out for peer review. After all, why would anyone want to read your paper without knowing what you think about it?
In this post, we’ll look at everything you need to know about writing cover letters for academic manuscripts including how long they should be, what goes into them, and much more!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter is not always required for job applications, but it can help you stand out as a candidate. |
| Writing a strong cover letter can be challenging, but it can also be the key to getting noticed by employers. |
| A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other job candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview. |
| Cover letters are important for article submissions to journals as they provide additional context to the editor. |
| Including a cover letter with your manuscript can help your submission stand out and improve your chances of getting published. |
Do All Journals Require A Cover Letter?
While it’s true that most journals will ask you to submit a cover letter, not all of them do. Some journals may not have any requirements for submitting the cover letter, while others may have specific requirements that must be met before they’ll consider your submission.
For example, some publications prefer a certain format and font size; others simply want you to clearly state what piece you’re sending in. If you’re unsure about whether or not this particular journal requires a cover letter and how best to structure yours, look through its website or contact its editorial team directly before submitting your work.
While it’s not always required, submitting a cover letter can help you stand out as a job candidate. Check out our article on whether all jobs require a cover letter to learn more about when and why you should include one.
What Does A Cover Letter Include?
A cover letter is a one-page document that gives a brief overview of the manuscript and describes its significance. The cover letter should be addressed to the editor of the journal, even if you have previously submitted work for them.
The cover letter should include the title of your manuscript, as well as its authors’ names and addresses.
This information is typically included in an abstract or summary at the beginning of each article; if this information isn’t provided on their website, contact them directly before submitting anything!
How To Write A Good Cover Letter For An Academic Journal Submission?
The cover letter for an academic journal submission should be short and to the point. It should include your name, contact information, and the title of your paper. If you are unsure how to write a good cover letter for academic journal submission, here are some tips:
- Keep it professional but not too formal
- Write it in the third person
- Write it in the present tense (unless using future tense is necessary)
- Write it in active voice rather than passive voice
What Is The Purpose Of A Cover Letter In Manuscript Submission?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your manuscript submission. It is an introduction to your article, explaining why it should be published in that particular journal, and what makes it distinct from other articles that have been published before.
Journals typically require a cover letter as part of their submission guidelines. This is because they want to know more about you and the context within which you are writing so they can better evaluate whether or not your work fits with the journal’s mission, scope, and audience.
The information in the cover letter will help them make these decisions, so you must include relevant details about yourself (author credentials) and how this paper fits into existing scholarship (literature review).
It’s also important for journals to understand why this particular article matters and what questions does it answer? Why would anyone want to read such an article? How does it advance knowledge in your field?
This can be highlighted by explaining how someone might use these research findings or methodologies when conducting similar studies.
Writing a strong cover letter can be challenging, but it can also be the key to getting noticed by employers. Our guide on how cover letters help provides tips and examples to help you create a standout cover letter.
Who Should Write The Cover Letter In Manuscript Submission?
The cover letter should be written by the first author, who will be most involved with the manuscript.
This person can be a professor or researcher at an institution that employs you or someone else who has worked closely with you. If there are no such people associated with your research, it’s okay not to include one in your cover letter.
If multiple authors are listed on manuscript submission, then each author will need to submit their cover letter as well as share this information during peer-review.
Crafting a compelling cover letter is an essential part of any job application. Our expert advice on how to write a cover letter can help you make a great impression on potential employers.
Do You Put Your Name On A Cover Letter?
You should always include your name and contact information on the cover letter. This is a good idea no matter what, but it’s especially important if you are submitting to journals that do not require cover letters. If you don’t know whether or not the journal asks for a cover letter, just assume they don’t then include one anyway!
Should We Send The Manuscript And The Cover Letter Separately Or As One Attachment?
You can submit your manuscript and your cover letter as separate files or as one file. If you’re submitting them together, it’s best to have them go in the order that they appear on your CV the cover letter first, then the manuscript. To send multiple files at once or attach them (rather than just sending one at a time), follow these steps:
Open up the email client of your choice (we recommend Outlook)
Create an email addressed to submissions@publishinghouse .com containing both pieces of information separated by spaces like so: “Your Name”, [Title] Manuscript Cover Letter 1″
A well-written cover letter can set you apart from other job candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview. Learn more about how cover letters can make a difference in our article on why cover letters matter.
Can I See Some Sample Cover Letters?
If you’re still not sure how to approach this step of the process, take a look at these sample cover letters for journal submissions and book proposals.
How Long Should A Cover Letter Be?
The exact length of a cover letter depends on the journal. Some journals want it to be as long as the manuscript, but most just require that it convey who you are and what you’re writing about.
The general rule of thumb is to make sure your cover letter is just as long as it needs to be that way, you’ll avoid giving too much information or not enough.
A great cover letter can help you showcase your skills and experience and land your dream job. Check out our guide on how a cover letter can help you get your desired job for tips and examples to help you create an effective cover letter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to “Do All Journals Require A Cover Letter” is no. The journal’s editorial board will evaluate your submission, and decide whether or not it is a good fit for their publication.
If they accept your article for publication but require additional information (such as a cover letter), then you will be notified via email from the journal editor. This process can sometimes take months due to backlogs in submissions or other factors outside of our control.”
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can help you learn more about cover letters for article submissions:
Cover Letter for Article Submission: This resource from Akadémiai Kiadó provides guidelines for writing an effective cover letter for submitting an article to a journal.
Always Include a Cover Letter When Submitting a Manuscript: This article by Wei Liao on LinkedIn explains why a cover letter is important when submitting a manuscript to a journal and provides tips for writing one.
What is the point of a cover letter in journal submission?: This discussion on Academia Stack Exchange provides insights into the purpose of a cover letter in journal submissions and how it can benefit authors.
FAQs
What should be included in a cover letter for article submission?
Your cover letter should include a brief introduction of yourself and your research, a statement of the importance of your work, and a description of why it is a good fit for the journal you are submitting to.
Is a cover letter necessary for article submissions?
While not all journals require a cover letter, it is generally recommended to include one as it can help your submission stand out and provide additional context to the editor.
Should I address the cover letter to a specific editor?
If possible, it is a good idea to address your cover letter to a specific editor at the journal. This can help personalize your submission and show that you have done your research on the journal and its editorial team.
How long should a cover letter be for article submission?
A cover letter for article submission should generally be no more than one page long. It should be concise, clear, and to the point.
Can a cover letter improve my chances of getting published?
While a cover letter is not the only factor that determines whether your article will be accepted for publication, it can help your submission stand out and provide additional context to the editor, which may improve your chances of getting published.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.