Cover Letter for Journal Submission
A template, examples, and tips for writing a journal submission cover letter that makes editors want to send your manuscript to review.
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What is a journal submission cover letter?
A journal submission cover letter is a brief (usually 300–500 word) letter addressed to the editor-in-chief accompanying your manuscript submission. It's your opportunity to explain why your paper is a good fit for the journal, highlight the main contribution, declare conflicts of interest, and confirm compliance with ethical standards. While the cover letter alone rarely makes or breaks a submission, a poorly written one can contribute to desk rejection, and a strong one can help borderline papers move forward to review.
What a strong cover letter includes
Paper title and scope statement
State the manuscript title and confirm it falls within the journal's scope.
Main contribution (2–3 sentences)
Explain the key finding or contribution, not a summary, but the 'so what'.
Novelty statement
Clarify what is new compared to your previous work and the broader literature.
Audience relevance
Explain why the journal's specific readership will care about your findings.
Author contributions
Confirm all authors have approved submission and the roles are clear.
Ethical declarations
Include conflict of interest statement and ethics approval confirmation.
Checks relevant to this topic
Part of our 80+ automated checks
Scope statement present
Letter confirms manuscript fits the journal's scope.
Contribution clarity
Main finding or contribution clearly stated.
Conflict of interest
COI statement included.
Author approval
All authors have approved submission.
The practical edge your peers already use
Across disciplines and career stages, researchers reduce bottlenecks and submit with confidence: clearer drafts, easier guideline compliance, and less back and forth with co‑authors and reviewers.
I use it to review my students' papers. It instantly highlights typos, missing references, and unclear sections, helping me focus my feedback on the quality of the research instead of surface errors.
Ilyass
Professor in Mechanical Engineering, ÉTS Montréal
I relied on it throughout my thesis to strengthen my writing. It suggested clearer phrasing, improved flow between sections, and ensured my references were complete before the final deadline.
Manon
Master's Student in Speech Therapy
I write research in both Portuguese and English, and it adapts perfectly to either language. It provided precise feedback in Portuguese, helping me maintain academic tone and consistency across my drafts.
Afonso
PhD Candidate, UFPE
It gave excellent advice on how to rephrase and present ideas more clearly and concisely. The suggestions helped me refine my arguments and make my research more impactful.
Félix
Postdoc Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
A round of suggestions helped to generally refine the text of my paper and, moreover, to present some of its key points in a more focused form.
Oleg
Professor, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
I use it to review my students' papers. It instantly highlights typos, missing references, and unclear sections, helping me focus my feedback on the quality of the research instead of surface errors.
Ilyass
Professor in Mechanical Engineering, ÉTS Montréal
I relied on it throughout my thesis to strengthen my writing. It suggested clearer phrasing, improved flow between sections, and ensured my references were complete before the final deadline.
Manon
Master's Student in Speech Therapy
I write research in both Portuguese and English, and it adapts perfectly to either language. It provided precise feedback in Portuguese, helping me maintain academic tone and consistency across my drafts.
Afonso
PhD Candidate, UFPE
It gave excellent advice on how to rephrase and present ideas more clearly and concisely. The suggestions helped me refine my arguments and make my research more impactful.
Félix
Postdoc Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
A round of suggestions helped to generally refine the text of my paper and, moreover, to present some of its key points in a more focused form.
Oleg
Professor, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Frequently asked questions
Most journals require or strongly recommend a cover letter. Some make it optional. Even when optional, submitting a well-crafted cover letter is always a good idea, it frames your submission positively.
300–500 words is typical. Keep it concise, editors are busy. Focus on the key contribution and fit, not a full summary of the paper.
Many journals allow or require suggested reviewers. If the journal accepts suggestions, include 3–5 experts with relevant expertise, their affiliations, and email addresses.
The template can be reused, but the journal-specific content (scope statement, audience relevance, editor name) must be customized for each submission.