About to submit your paper and staring at a blank cover letter? You are in the right place. A cover letter for journal submission is a short, formal note to the editor that introduces your manuscript, states its main finding, and explains why it fits the journal. Below you will find a free copy-paste template, five real example letters, and a plain-English guide to exactly what editors expect.
Here is the short version first. Keep it to one page. Address the editor by name. State your title and article type, summarise your finding in your own words, confirm the work is original and not under review elsewhere, and close with your contact details. Do that, and a strong manuscript gets the fair reading it deserves.
One quick clarification, because the wording confuses many first-time authors. A "cover letter for manuscript submission" and a "cover letter for journal submission" are the same document — different journals simply use different names for it. Some also call it a "submission letter." Whichever term your target journal uses, this guide and template apply.
The template: copy, paste, and fill in the blanks
Start here if you just want a structure to adapt. Replace every bracketed item with your own details, then tailor it to your target journal.
[Date]
Dear Dr. [Editor's Last Name],
I am pleased to submit our manuscript titled "[Manuscript Title]" for consideration as [an original research article / a review / a case report] in [Journal Name].
[One to three sentences stating what your study found and why it matters. Give the main result and its significance in plain language, without copying your abstract.]
[One or two sentences on why the work fits this journal's specific scope and readership.]
This manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration by any other journal. All authors have approved the submission and agree to its publication. [Ethical approval statement, if relevant.] The authors declare [no conflicts of interest / the following conflicts: …].
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, [Full Name], [Degree] Corresponding Author, [Department, Institution] [Email address]
Keep the whole letter to one page. Above all, replace every placeholder with real detail, because a letter that still reads "[Journal Name]" signals carelessness to an editor at a glance.
Why the cover letter matters
The cover letter will not rescue a weak paper, but it genuinely helps a strong one. It is the first thing the editor reads, and it frames how they approach your manuscript.
Its job is to introduce your research, highlight its significance, and show that it fits the journal. Major publishers such as Elsevier and Springer Nature recommend including one with every submission. So treat it as a short, strategic introduction rather than a formality.
What every cover letter must include
Whichever template or example you use, editors expect the same core elements. This is not just our view: the major publishers agree on it, as Elsevier's guidance on writing a cover letter and Springer Nature's cover letter guidance set out. Confirm each item is present:
- The editor's name and the journal name, spelled correctly.
- The manuscript title and article type.
- A short statement of your main finding and its significance, in your own words.
- Why the work fits this specific journal.
- A declaration that the work is original and not under consideration elsewhere.
- Confirmation that all authors approve the submission.
- A conflict-of-interest statement, or a note that none exist.
- Ethical approval or consent statements, where they apply.
- The corresponding author's full contact details.
Cover letter for manuscript submission: is it different?
No — a cover letter for manuscript submission is exactly the same as a cover letter for journal submission. The two phrases describe one document, so do not let the different wording worry you.
You may also see it called a "submission letter" or a "covering letter." All refer to the same one-page note that accompanies your manuscript to the editor. The template above works for every version, whatever your journal calls it.
Five example cover letters
New to writing one? Copy whichever example below matches your situation, then replace the bracketed details with your own. These are the samples most authors search for, organised by submission type.
Example 1: Original research article
Use this for a standard first submission of new research.
Dear Dr. Lee,
I am pleased to submit our manuscript titled "Early Mobilisation After Hip Replacement: A Randomised Controlled Trial" for consideration as an original research article in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.
In a trial of 240 patients, early mobilisation reduced mean recovery time by 4.2 days compared with standard care, with no increase in complications. To our knowledge, this is the first randomised trial to test the protocol in older adults.
The findings fit your journal's focus on evidence-based rehabilitation and will interest your clinical readership.
This manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere. All authors have approved the submission. Ethical approval was granted by the University Review Board (Ref: 2024-118). The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Dr. Maria Alvarez, PhD Corresponding Author, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Somewhere m.alvarez@university.edu
Example 2: Review article
Use this for a narrative or systematic review.
Dear Dr. Nguyen,
I am pleased to submit our manuscript titled "Antibiotic Stewardship in Primary Care: A Systematic Review" for consideration as a review article in the Journal of Global Health.
This review synthesises 42 studies and identifies three interventions consistently linked to reduced prescribing. It addresses a gap your journal highlighted in recent issues.
The review was conducted and reported following PRISMA guidelines.
This manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration elsewhere. All authors approved the submission. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Dr. Priya Rao, PhD Corresponding Author, School of Public Health, University of Somewhere p.rao@university.edu
Example 3: Case report
Use this for a single clinical case. Note the consent statement.
Dear Dr. Okafor,
I am pleased to submit our manuscript titled "Delayed Presentation of Splenic Rupture: A Case Report" for consideration as a case report in Clinical Case Reports.
This report describes an unusual delayed presentation two weeks after minor trauma, a pattern rarely documented in the literature. It offers a practical reminder for clinicians assessing atypical abdominal pain.
The report follows the CARE guidelines and fits the journal's scope for instructive clinical cases.
This manuscript is original and is not under consideration elsewhere. All authors approved the submission. Written informed consent to publish was obtained from the patient. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Dr. James Osei, MD Corresponding Author, Department of Surgery, City Hospital j.osei@cityhospital.org
Example 4: Revised manuscript (after "revise and resubmit")
Use this when you resubmit after a revision decision. "Revise and resubmit" means the journal has not rejected your paper; it wants specific changes before deciding.
Dear Dr. Lee,
Thank you for the opportunity to revise our manuscript, "[Title]" (Manuscript ID: [xxxx]). We are grateful to you and the reviewers for the constructive feedback.
We have carefully addressed all comments and revised the manuscript accordingly. A detailed point-by-point response accompanies this letter, and the changes are marked in the revised file.
We believe the revisions have strengthened the manuscript and hope it is now suitable for publication in [Journal Name].
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, [Full Name], [Degree] Corresponding Author, [Department, Institution] [Email address]
Example 5: Resubmission of a rejected paper
Use this only when a journal invites resubmission of a previously rejected manuscript.
Dear Dr. Haddad,
I am submitting a substantially revised version of our manuscript, "[Title]", previously reviewed by [Journal Name] (former ID: [xxxx]) and invited for resubmission.
In response to the earlier feedback, we have [added a validation cohort / expanded the analysis / restructured the discussion]. We believe these changes address the concerns raised.
This manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere, and all authors approve the resubmission. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Thank you for reconsidering our work.
Sincerely, [Full Name], [Degree] Corresponding Author, [Department, Institution] [Email address]
How to write a submission letter step by step
Prefer to build your own from scratch? Follow these steps in order.
- Address the editor by name. Check the journal's website for the handling or editor-in-chief's name. Use "Dear Editor" only when no name is available.
- State your title and article type. Name the manuscript and whether it is an original article, review, or case report.
- Summarise your finding. In two or three sentences, give your main result and why it matters, in your own words.
- Explain the fit. Say why the work suits this journal's scope and readers, referring to its aims or recent content.
- Add the standard declarations. Confirm originality, no concurrent submission, author approval, and conflicts of interest.
- Close professionally. Sign off with the corresponding author's name, affiliation, and contact details.
What to leave out
Shorter is better, so cut anything that does not help your case. Editors read many letters, and a tight one respects their time.
Above all, do not paste in your abstract; the editor reads that separately. Avoid overselling with words like "groundbreaking," since editors see through it instantly. Also leave out suggested reviewers and funding details unless the journal's guidelines specifically ask for them in the letter. Finally, keep the whole thing to one page, as major publishers recommend.
Common cover letter mistakes
Scan this list before you submit, because each one is common and easily avoided.
- Addressing the wrong journal or editor, often left over from an earlier submission.
- Reproducing the abstract instead of writing a fresh summary.
- Omitting a required statement, which can trigger rejection without review.
- Writing more than one page.
- Typos and grammar errors, which make editors doubt the manuscript.
- A generic "Dear Editor" when the editor's name is available.
That last pair matters more than authors expect. If you cannot write an error-free one-page letter, an editor may quietly worry about your 30-page paper. A quick professional check on your proofreading removes that risk.
Frequently asked questions
What should a cover letter for journal submission include? It should include the editor's name and journal, the manuscript title and type, a brief statement of your findings and their significance, why the work fits the journal, and declarations that the work is original, not under consideration elsewhere, and approved by all authors, plus any conflict-of-interest and ethics statements and your contact details.
How long should a journal cover letter be? One page or less. Editors read many submissions, and major publishers recommend brevity. A focused half-page to one-page letter shows respect for the editor's time and keeps the emphasis on your key message.
Is a manuscript submission cover letter different from a journal submission cover letter? No. They are the same document, and journals simply use different names for it. Some also call it a submission letter or covering letter. The same structure, template, and examples apply to all of them.
Should I copy my abstract into the cover letter? No. The editor reads your abstract separately. Instead, write a fresh two-to-three sentence summary that states your main finding, its significance, and why it suits the journal.
Do I need to suggest reviewers in the cover letter? Only if the journal asks. Many submission systems collect suggested or excluded reviewers separately, so include them in the letter only when the author guidelines request it. If you do exclude a reviewer, keep it brief and give a legitimate reason.
How do I address the editor if I do not know their name? Check the journal's website and editorial board page first, since a named editor is always better. Where you genuinely cannot find a name, "Dear Editor" is acceptable, but a personalised greeting reduces the risk of your letter reading as generic.
Conclusion
A good cover letter is short, specific, and honest. Use the template above, pick the example that matches your submission, and confirm every required statement is present before you submit.
Above all, address the right editor, summarise your finding in your own words, and keep it to one page. That is genuinely all a strong manuscript needs from its cover letter, even if this is the first one you have written.
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