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How to Write a Cover Letter for Your Manuscript? Here are the Tips and Examples

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A cover letter is often the first thing an editor reads when reviewing your submission. As your first pitch to the editor, the cover letter helps them gauge the suitability of your manuscript for publication in their journal. Imagine your work shaping the future of your field, gathering citations, and sparking discussions. A powerful cover letter is thus the first step to making that vision into a reality.   

In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing an effective cover letter and explain how you can get it right every time with examples. First, let us get started with the basics!  

Getting the Basics Right  

When writing a cover letter, it is crucial to address the editor by their correct and complete name¹ . If there are multiple co-editors, you can address your letter to the right person, based on their specialization or designated responsibilities. If unsure, it is okay to go with a more general salutation, such as “Dear Editors”¹ .   

Presenting your Research  

Provide a clear and concise title for your submission and specify whether it is an article, communication, review, perspective, or a manuscript belonging to some other category. If the journal guideline recommends, consider including a list of all authors in the manuscript.   

After covering the preliminary information, briefly explain your paper’s central theme or focus to give the editor an idea of its contents. Ensure this stays a brief outline, without going into too much detail.   

Conveying the Importance of Your Work  

How you communicate the impact of your work can make or break your cover letter. To make a strong impression on the editor, articulate the significance of your research clearly, emphasizing its relevance to the field. Additionally, show how your work aligns with the journal’s scope and mission.  

Including a Formal Declaration  

Some journals require a set of declarations from you to ensure that your manuscript adheres to its ethical code and the larger ethical standards of scientific publishing. Here are the required declarations in a cover letter:  

• Originality of work:  
• Confirm that your work is original and has not been published elsewhere. This tells the editor your research is unique.  
• Conflict of interest statement:  
• Be clear about any potential conflicts of interest. This includes any personal, financial, or professional connections that might affect your research.  
• Funding source (if applicable):  
• Tell where your research funding came from, if any. This includes any support or grants from organizations.   

Including Personal Suggestions for Reviewers on a Separate Page (optional)  

If there is no part of the submission process that collects researcher suggestions for reviewers, and there are special requests from the researcher for reviewers (e.g., recommending the inclusion or suggesting the exclusion of a specific reviewer, etc.), you may also make a note about this in the cover letter.  

Combining these five points, here is a good example of a cover letter for researchers’ reference:  

(This image is intended to demonstrate the norms of formatting and tone of expression in a cover letter, it is to be used only by the researcher as a reference in writing² .)  

Conclusion  

A strong cover letter can go a long way in ensuring success for researchers looking to publish their manuscripts! Your cover letter is the opening act, setting the stage for how editors perceive your manuscript. So, look at it not as just another formality but as a crucial opportunity to make a strong impression.   

Understanding what to include, what is optional, and what is best left unsaid can be tricky. That is where our team of experts at Elsevier Language Services can step in. We will provide personalized recommendations and expert guidance to help you craft a cover letter that perfectly complements your manuscript. Reach out to us today to make a great first impression and embark on a successful academic journey!  

Reference  

• Nicholas, D. (2019). How to choose a journal and write a cover letter. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia, 13(5), 35. https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.sja_691_18  
• Loyola University Chicago. (n.d.). JCSHESA Sample Cover Letter. https://ecommons.luc.edu/jcshesa/cover_letter_template.pdf  

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Written Samples

15 sample cover letters for manuscript submission.

Submitting your manuscript to a publisher can feel like sending your creative work into a black hole.

You painstakingly craft your cover letter, follow all the submission guidelines to a T, and hit send with trembling fingers, only to be left waiting and wondering for weeks or months.

Will an editor connect with your story?

Will they even read past the first page?

While there is no magic formula for getting your work accepted, a compelling cover letter is an essential tool for catching an editor’s attention.

Sample Cover Letters for Manuscript Submission

The ideal cover letter is professional but personable, concise but informative. It should pique the editor’s interest while showing that you’ve done your research and are familiar with their publication.

To help inspire your submission, we’ve compiled 15 sample cover letters that successfully led to manuscript requests or publication.

Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or children’s books, you’ll find a variety of approaches represented here.

Let’s explore them!

Sample Cover Letter #1

Dear [Editor’s Name],

Please find attached my 80,000-word upmarket women’s fiction novel, THE LOST YEARS, for your consideration.

Charlotte Hawkins had an idyllic childhood—until the day her best friend Jenny disappeared without a trace. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte is a successful attorney in Boston, engaged to a senator’s son, her past trauma buried deep. But when she receives an anonymous letter hinting that Jenny is still alive, everything unravels.

Traveling back to her hometown in Maine, Charlotte must confront unsettling truths about her family and the events surrounding Jenny’s disappearance. As she edges closer to answers that could rewrite her entire history, she risks losing everything she’s worked so hard to build. THE LOST YEARS explores the ripple effects of childhood secrets and the lengths we go to protect the ones we love.

I am a graduate of the Lighthouse Writers Workshop novel program and my short fiction has appeared in Carve Magazine, The Chattahoochee Review, and Rosebud. I believe THE LOST YEARS will appeal to fans of Jennifer Weiner and Jamie Brenner.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

[Your Name]

Sample Cover Letter #2

Dear [Agent’s Name],

I am seeking representation for my 75,000-word contemporary romance novel, LOVE ON THE VINE. Given your interest in wine country settings and swoony but smart love stories, I thought it might be a fit for your list.

Mia Reeves planned to save her family’s struggling Sonoma winery—not fall for the wealthy wine collector trying to buy them out. But Andrew Walker is charming, passionate, and offers a tempting way out of her financial woes. As they work together to revitalize the vineyards, their chemistry ignites. There’s only one problem: Andrew is poised to acquire the winery that’s been in Mia’s family for generations. Caught between her heart and her legacy, Mia must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice for love.

LOVE ON THE VINE is a standalone novel with series potential, featuring a diverse cast of characters, mouthwatering culinary delights, and an emotional, sensual romance. I envision it appealing to readers who enjoyed Jasmine Guillory’s THE WEDDING DATE or the Napa Valley wine country setting of Meg Donohue’s EVERY WILD HEART.

I have been an avid romance reader for over a decade and am an active member of my local RWA chapter. This is my first novel. The full manuscript is available upon request.

Thank you for your consideration! I’m excited to share LOVE ON THE VINE with you.

All my best,

Sample Cover Letter #3

I am writing to submit my picture book manuscript, EVERYBODY HAS A BELLYBUTTON, for your review. At 650 words, this humorous and educational story will help curious preschoolers understand why all mammals have navels, with charming illustrations of different baby animals and their adorable tummies.

When a curious young girl named Layla asks why her puppy Biscuit has a belly button just like her, Mama explains how all mammals—from cats to elephants to humans—grow inside their mothers and are born with a navel. Excited by this news, Layla runs to tell her friends that she has something in common with all different kinds of animals. EVERYBODY HAS A BELLYBUTTON lightly touches on themes of curiosity, empathy, and finding connections with others.

With a background in early childhood education and two children of my own, I was inspired to write a story that celebrates children’s natural curiosity about their bodies and the world around them. Similar titles include:

• I WISH YOU MORE by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

• NOT QUITE NARWHAL by Jessie Sima 

• THE RABBIT LISTENED by Cori Doerrfeld

This is my first picture book submission. I would be happy to send the full manuscript for your review.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sample Cover Letter #4

I am pleased to submit four poems for your consideration: “Bone Orchard,” “The Glassblower’s Daughter,” “Demeter in Winter,” and “Persephone, Reimagined.” Totaling approximately 300 words, these pieces explore themes of loss, transformation, and mythology through a feminist lens.

My poetry has previously appeared in Rattle, THRUSH Poetry Journal, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, and Menacing Hedge, among others. In 2019, I was a finalist for the Autumn House Rising Writer Prize. I hold an MFA from Warren Wilson College and serve as a poetry editor for Longleaf Review.

I appreciate [Literary Journal]’s commitment to publishing powerful, finely wrought verse that engages with social issues. I believe my work may resonate with your readers and would be honored to see these pieces included in an upcoming issue.

Thank you for taking the time to read my work. I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Sample Cover Letter #5

I am writing to seek representation for THE SHADOW GARDEN, my 95,000-word gothic mystery novel. With shades of Mexican Gothic and Rebecca, this multi-generational tale of secrets and deception may be of interest given your enthusiasm for atmospheric, suspenseful fiction with strong female characters.

When recently divorced painter Sonia Villa inherits a crumbling estate in the Mexican countryside from a grandmother she never knew, it seems like the fresh start she needs—until she stumbles upon human remains in the overgrown garden. But this is only the first in a series of disturbing discoveries that draw Sonia into the tangled history of her enigmatic grandmother Rosalinda and the mansion’s dark past.

As Sonia unearths the shocking truth behind Rosalinda’s hasty marriage to a wealthy older man, her mysterious death soon after, and the whispered rumors of madness and murder that have long haunted the property, she realizes her own life may be in danger. Because now that Sonia has learned the house’s secrets, whatever killed her grandmother is coming for her next.

I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami and my short fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. This is my debut novel. I have included the first ten pages below. The full manuscript is available upon request.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience regarding THE SHADOW GARDEN.

Sample Cover Letter #6

Please find attached my creative nonfiction essay, “Stitched,” for consideration in [Literary Journal]. At 3,500 words, this piece examines the connective threads between memory and handcraft through the lens of the embroidered tablecloth that has been passed down through generations of women in my family.

While the tablecloth itself is a work of art, the essay reveals it as so much more—a document of my family’s history, a representation of the traditionally undervalued emotional and creative labor of women, a love letter, and a memorial. The threads of the tablecloth become a metaphor for the ties that bind a mother to daughter across decades, stitching together family lore, cultural heritage, domesticity, and selfhood.

My essays have previously appeared in River Teeth, Hippocampus Magazine, Under the Sun, and The Rumpus. I am a staff writer for Book Riot, where I cover craft titles and fiber arts-related books. I have an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Goucher College.

I believe “Stitched” will resonate with [Literary Journal]’s readership, given your focus on publishing intimate, voice-driven narratives that engage with questions of family and identity. Thank you for considering my work. I look forward to your response.

Sample Cover Letter #7

I’ve been an avid reader of your blog and a fan of several authors you represent, so I was thrilled to see that you’re actively seeking middle-grade adventures. I’m writing to share my upper MG fantasy novel, RIVER OF STARS, complete at 75,000 words.

Twelve-year-old Kin has always felt out of place, caught between two worlds. As one of the last descendants of an ancient race that draws magic from the night sky, she should be training in secret with the other starchildren. Instead, she’s stuck living a boring, magic-less life in the bustling port city of Haiyang, helping out at her family’s struggling noodle shop.

But when an evil sorcerer escapes from prison and begins kidnapping starchildren in an attempt to steal their celestial powers, Kin can no longer hide from her destiny. With help from her best friend Lin and a mischievous flying monkey named Feng, Kin must embrace her heritage, master her budding abilities, and figure out how to save her people—all while keeping her double life hidden from the authorities and finishing her homework on time.

Inspired by Chinese mythology and the stories my grandmother told me as a child, RIVER OF STARS is a fast-paced, voice-driven adventure full of magic, humor, and heart. It explores growing up caught between cultures and learning to celebrate what makes you different. This standalone novel has series potential and will appeal to fans of Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee and the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series by Sayantani DasGupta.

I hold an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University and am an active member of SCBWI. My narrative nonfiction piece, “Mooncakes with Grandma,” appeared in Stories for Children Magazine.

Per your submission guidelines, I have included the first three chapters of RIVER OF STARS below. The full manuscript is available upon request.

Sample Cover Letter #8

I am submitting my short story “The Cartography of Ghosts” for consideration in [Literary Journal]. Complete at 7,000 words, this piece of speculative fiction follows a mother-daughter team of paranormal investigators as they attempt to unravel the truth behind a mysterious death in a small Oregon logging town.

On its surface, “The Cartography of Ghosts” is a ghost story, complete with a creepy abandoned sawmill and possible demonic possession. But at its heart, it’s a tale about the memories and emotions that haunt us long after we think we’ve let them go. Protagonist Vera is forced to confront her unresolved guilt and grief regarding her father’s death years before as she and her psychic daughter Sabine investigate the ghost of a logger who died under eerily similar circumstances.

I’m the author of the indie horror novels Night Tide and The Juniper Bones, which have collectively sold over 5,000 copies. My short fiction has appeared in Lamplight, The Dark, and Unnerving Magazine. I am currently working on my third novel.

Given [Literary Journal]’s reputation for publishing emotionally resonant, cross-genre fiction with an emphasis on the strange and unsettling, I believe “The Cartography of Ghosts” would be an excellent fit. Thank you for your consideration.

Sample Cover Letter #9

I am writing to submit my narrative nonfiction piece “In Praise of Weeds” (3,000 words) for consideration in the spring issue of [Literary Journal].

“In Praise of Weeds” is a lyrical meditation on suburban ecology, motherhood, and finding beauty in unexpected places. Inspired by my young daughter’s fascination with the dandelions and clover that dot our local park, this essay examines the vital role that “undesirable” plants play in supporting pollinators and other wildlife. It also touches on themes of allowing children to experience small freedoms and cultivating a sense of wonder about the natural world close to home.

As an environmental journalist, my work frequently examines the intersections of nature, science, and human experience. My articles and essays have appeared in Sierra, Orion, Catapult, and [Literary Journal]. This piece will resonate with your ecologically engaged readership and would be a timely fit for an issue released just as spring wildflowers begin to bloom.

I appreciate you taking the time to read “In Praise of Weeds.” I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sample Cover Letter #10

I discovered your name in the acknowledgments of Courtney Summers’ Sadie, as she credited you with helping bring that powerful book into the world. Given your enthusiasm for gritty, voice-driven YA fiction tackling complex social issues, I believe my novel WHEN WE VANISHED may be of interest.

Complete at 80,000 words, WHEN WE VANISHED is a dual POV contemporary YA that pairs the unputdownable pacing of Karen McManus with Tiffany D. Jackson’s acerbic wit and unflinching look at social injustices. The story follows sixteen-year-old YouTube makeup guru Meena Patel as she and her younger brother are forced to go on the run with their mother after an ICE raid upends their life in Boulder, Colorado.

As Meena, born in the U.S., schemes to turn herself in so her undocumented brother Akash can escape, she clashes with Diego, a former friend whose own father was deported years before. Diego wants to help the Patels forge a new life across the Canadian border, but first Meena must learn to trust him—and find the courage to fight an immigration system intent on tearing her family apart.

I am an immigrant rights activist and community organizer. Like Meena, my parents came to the U.S. from India in the 1980s, and my fears of having my family separated inspired this novel. I hold a BA in Creative Writing from [University].

Attached are the first fifty pages of WHEN WE VANISHED. I’d be happy to send the full manuscript upon request.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon regarding this project.

Sample Cover Letter #11

Nearly one in five Americans live with a mental illness, but misconceptions still abound. I’m writing to submit my completed 65,000-word mental health memoir BEYOND THE BELL JAR for your consideration.

In this book, I recount my experiences as a twenty-two-year-old college student struggling with depression, anxiety, and undiagnosed bipolar disorder against the backdrop of my small Midwestern hometown. Misunderstood by family and friends and failed by an overtaxed healthcare system, I am left to work through the diagnosis, medication, and recovery processes largely on my own—and nearly lose myself in the process.

BEYOND THE BELL JAR is both a coming-of-age story and a clear-eyed examination of the barriers to adequate mental health treatment that persist today. Blending unflinching honesty with biting wit, I tackle heavy topics like suicidal ideation, hospitalization, and the trials and errors of treatment while never losing sight of the wry absurdities of young adulthood. Readers of Esmé Weijun Wang’s The Collected Schizophrenias and Susannah Cahalan’s Brain on Fire will find a similar mix of raw vulnerability, thorough research, and hard-won wisdom here.

I am a mental health advocate and freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, Vox, Bustle, and The Mighty. I have spoken about my experiences at conferences nationwide and regularly lead writing workshops for individuals with mental illness. Conversations sparked by these engagements reinforced my belief that BEYOND THE BELL JAR will find an eager audience seeking candid, enlightening narratives of survival.

Thank you for considering my memoir. I look forward to sharing the complete manuscript with you.

Sample Cover Letter #12

I am seeking representation for my 82,000-word upmarket fiction novel FOR WANT OF A ROOF, which was longlisted for the 2023 [Contest Name] Award. Given your interest in literary fiction with commercial appeal that examines social issues and family dynamics, I thought it might be a good fit for your list.

Architect Alyssa Wu has returned to her hometown in rural Montana on a mission to save her family’s floundering construction business—and to rebuild the strained relationship with her conservative father Dan. Her plan? To convert an abandoned warehouse into a chic “live/work” space that will attract young professionals and revitalize the struggling town center. But when Dan suffers a debilitating stroke, Alyssa must take over the day-to-day operations of Wu & Daughter Construction and complete the high-stakes project alone.

As mounting financial pressures and a bitter winter threaten the warehouse renovation, Alyssa strikes up an unlikely friendship with Jordan, an idealistic social worker who runs the town’s struggling homeless shelter. With Jordan’s support, Alyssa devises an unorthodox solution to keep the project alive, but the risks could cost her everything—her father’s trust, her family’s legacy, and a chance at the life and love she never knew she wanted.

FOR WANT OF A ROOF is a poignant and sharply observed novel about a woman coming into her own as she works to rebuild her family and her community. It will appeal to fans of Tayari Jones’ AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE and GIRL UNBROKEN by Regina Louise.

I hold a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and my short stories have appeared in The Adroit Journal, Joyland, and The Offing. The first three chapters of FOR WANT OF A ROOF are included below. The full manuscript is available upon request.

Sample Cover Letter #13

Please find attached my 500-word flash nonfiction piece “How to Pack Up Your Childhood Bedroom” for consideration in [Literary Journal].

This concise essay serves as a melancholy how-to guide for the universal experience of boxing up one’s belongings and leaving the childhood home, touching on themes of growing up, letting go, and the mix of grief and excitement that accompanies this bittersweet rite of passage. Through cataloging the detritus of adolescence—half-finished diaries, concert ticket stubs, trophies from bygone hobbies—the narrator reflects on who they were and who they hope to become.

“How to Pack Up Your Childhood Bedroom” provides a snapshot into the life of someone on the precipice of a new beginning, capturing the uncertainty and possibility of this liminal moment. I believe it will resonate with [Literary Journal]’s readers, many of whom are students on the cusp of similar transitions.

My nonfiction has been published in Brevity, The Rumpus, The Offing, and Gay Magazine. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa.

Thank you for considering my work. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sample Cover Letter #14

I’m writing to seek representation for my 90,000-word young adult science fiction novel, REBEL RADIO, which was a finalist for the [Contest Name] Emerging Writers Prize.

In the year 2135, the authoritarian Harmony Party outlawed music, art, and other forms of creative expression in favor of “productive pursuits.” Sixteen-year-old Cadence, a natural-born musician, finds an unexpected outlet for her banned passion: a secret rebel radio station broadcasting underground rock shows to the youth of her domed city. Performing on air as DJ Siren, Cadence revels in using music to spark small acts of defiance and give hope to other artistic souls—until her pirate radio exploits draw the attention of a handsome government enforcer who may not be the enemy he seems.

As Cadence and her fellow rebel musicians race to throw the rock show of the century, they must dodge surveillance drones, misleading holograms, and the constant threat of arrest. But when a source inside the government reveals the Harmony Party’s horrific true agenda, Cadence realizes their performances could be the key to bringing down the whole system—if they can find the courage to play one last song.

REBEL RADIO is an action-packed, anti-authoritarian anthem that never loses sight of the power of music, creativity, and connection in any era. It will appeal to fans of POET X by Elizabeth Acevedo and Lauren Oliver’s DELIRIUM series.

I am a music journalist and YA author. My debut novel, DRUM ROLL PLEASE, was published by [Publisher Name] in 2019 to critical acclaim. The full manuscript of REBEL RADIO is available upon request.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon about this project.

Sample Cover Letter #15

I’m submitting my contemporary short story “Bottomless” for consideration in your summer fiction issue. At 4,200 words, this piece follows a woman’s impromptu journey to reconnect with a piece of her past—and perhaps find a new way forward.

Reeling from her mother’s death and an unexpected divorce, 38-year-old Mira takes a spontaneous road trip to attend her twenty-year high school reunion. Along the way, she becomes entangled with an old classmate she barely remembers and a local urban legend that haunted their teenage years. Throughout a strange and illuminating weekend, Mira must finally confront the unsolved disappearance that shaped her youth and the gaping absences in her own life.

“Bottomless” examines questions of grief and resilience, the untold stories we carry, and what happens when the clear-cut roles and relationships of adolescence grow murky with age. Fans of Emma Cline’s short fiction will appreciate the sense of enigmatic menace thrumming beneath the surface of the everyday.

My fiction has appeared in One Story, American Short Fiction, Ninth Letter, and The Pushcart Prize anthology. I work as a features editor at [Publication Name].

Thank you for your time and consideration. I’d be thrilled to see “Bottomless” included in your upcoming issue.

These 15 examples show the range of styles and techniques that can be employed in compelling cover letters tailored to a variety of projects, genres, and submission opportunities.

Whether you’re an emerging writer seeking publication for the first time or an established author with many credits to your name, a strong cover letter is an invaluable tool for providing context for your submission, connecting with editors and agents, and showing that you’ve done your research.

The most effective cover letters are professional but passionate, concise but key, enticing the reader to immerse themselves in your manuscript while demonstrating your familiarity with the market and your thoughtful rationale for submitting to this particular venue or individual.

To write your potent cover letter, be sure to:

• Address a specific individual by name when possible
• Mention the title, genre, and word count of your project in the first paragraph
• Provide a brief but compelling plot summary or description of your piece
• Include your publishing history and relevant writing credentials
• Explain why you believe the project is a fit for the recipient
• Thank the reader for their consideration and express enthusiasm for their reply
• Keep it to about 3-5 paragraphs or no more than a single page
• Close the letter professionally and cordially

Above all, remember that your ultimate goal is to give the reader a tantalizing taste of your unique voice and perspective, convincing them that your writing is worth their time and serious consideration.

By studying effective cover letter examples, identifying the hallmarks of your project, and presenting both with clarity and confidence, you’ll be well on your way to catching an editor’s eye and bringing your work into the world.

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Cover letters

A good cover letter can help to “sell” your manuscript to the journal editor. As well as introducing your work to the editor you can also take this opportunity to explain why the manuscript will be of interest to a journal's readers, something which is always as the forefront editors’ mind. As such it is worth spending time writing a coherent and persuasive cover letter.

The following is an example of a poor cover letter:

Dear Editor-in-Chief, I am sending you our manuscript entitled “Large Scale Analysis of Cell Cycle Regulators in bladder cancer” by Researcher et al. We would like to have the manuscript considered for publication in Pathobiology. Please let me know of your decision at your earliest convenience. With my best regards, Sincerely yours, A Researcher, PhD

Instead, check to see whether the journal’s Instructions for Authors have any cover letter requirements (e.g. disclosures, statements, potential reviewers). Then, write a letter that explains why the editor would want to publish your manuscript. The following structure covers all the necessary points that need to be included.

• If known, address the editor who will be assessing your manuscript by their name. Include the date of submission and the journal you are submitting to.
• First paragraph: include the title of your manuscript and the type of manuscript it is (e.g. review, research, case study). Then briefly explain the background to your study, the question you sought out to answer and why.
• Second paragraph: you should concisely explain what was done, the main findings and why they are significant.
• Third paragraph: here you should indicate why the readers of the journal would be interested in the work. Take your cues from the journal’s aims and scope. For example if the journal requires that all work published has broad implications explain how your study fulfils this. It is also a good idea to include a sentence on the importance of the results to the field.
• To conclude state the corresponding author and any journal specific requirements that need to be complied with (e.g. ethical standards).

TIP: All cover letters should contain these sentences:

• We confirm that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal.
• All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to [insert the name of the target journal].

Submission checklist

Before submitting your manuscript, thoroughly check its quality one more time. Evaluate it critically—could anything be done better?

Be sure that:

• The manuscript follows the Instructions for Authors
• All files are in the correct file format and of the appropriate resolution or size
• The spelling and grammar are correct
• You have contact information for all authors
• You have written a persuasive cover letter

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