How to write a cover letter to a journal publisher - blog feature image

How to write a cover letter to a journal publisher

Your research article has been accepted to the journal of your choice. You now have to prepare a cover letter to submit to the editor.

What is a cover letter to a journal editor?

A cover letter for a journal editor is a document that accompanies your manuscript when you submit it to a journal for publication.

It serves as an introduction to your research and highlights its significance, relevance, and novelty. Most journal require that you submit your article with a cover letter so it’s important to know how to write one.

How do you write a cover letter?

The cover letter is structured like the formal letters we learned about in school. Here are some key elements:

  1. Editor’s Name: You can usually find this on the journal page.
  2. Manuscript’s Title: The title of your research paper.
  3. Name of the Journal: The journal you are submitting to.
  4. Statement of Originality: A statement that your paper has not been previously published and is not currently under consideration by another journal.
  5. Brief Description of the Research: Explain the research you are reporting in your paper, why it is important, and why you think the readers of the journal would be interested in it.
  6. Contact Information: Your contact information and that of any co-authors (The name and address of the primary author can appear in the address box at the top)
  7. Disclosure of conflict of Interest/ competing interests: Confirmation that you have no competing interests to disclose. Competing interests can occur when you, your organization or your funder have any financial, commercial, legal, or professional relationship that can influence or bias your research. For example, did you receive money or equipment from an organization that would benefit from your research? 

Note: The conflict of interest can also be disclosed in the journal submission form. 

Remember, the cover letter should not just repeat the information in the abstract of your paper.

Instead, it should explain in your own words the significance of the work, the problem that is being addressed, and why the manuscript belongs in the journal.

It’s also important to keep the language straightforward and easy to read, and to proofread the letter for any spelling or grammar errors before submitting.

The cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression and advocate for your manuscript.

A well-crafted cover letter can help your paper reach the next stage of the manuscript submission process – being sent out for peer review. So, it’s worth spending time thinking about how to write a cover letter to the journal editor, to make sure it’s going to be effective. 

Download our free cover letter template from our shop today!

 

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