Sample Cover Letter
"I've never really talked about my wartime experiences with
anyone; and the only reason that I am now willing to discuss them
is that if someone doesn't relate them the way they actually
happened, instead of the fictitious versions portrayed in novels
and movies, then they are going to be lost. Wars are not becoming
scarce, so people will have plenty of opportunity to praise
heroism and fortitude, to witness death and destruction, but I
would like to talk about the young men who will never have a
chance to develop their potential because they were part of that
unique coincidence of events that forever changed history. Their
courage and compassion still awes me after all these years, and
makes me feel unworthy to inherit the results of their
generosity."
anonymous veteran's preface to oral history
As a courtesy to nascent authors, this sample cover
letter shows a specimen of the essential information
needed by the editor of a periodical when considering a
submission for acceptance.
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Dear Editor,
The enclosed [story / essay / poem] manuscript, entitled
"XYZ", is respectfully submitted for your
publishing consideration. This original composition has not been
previously published, and is an exclusive submission to [name of
magazine].
This [story / essay / poem] is about [... concise summation ...].
The text of this [story / essay / poem] is approximately
###-words in length, and is supplemented by explanatory endnotes
comprising an additional ###-words. This manuscript is provided
in [*TXT / *.ASC / *.HTM / *.RTF / *.WPD / *.DOC] format. This
submission is further augmented by [several/specify] captioned
images, which are provided in [*.JPG / *.TIF / *.BMP / *.GIF /
*.PCX / *.WMF / *.PNG / *.CGM / *.EPS] format.
My writing has been previously published [... concise literary
biography ...]. A website featuring my previously published works
is located at http://www.[name].com/.
For your information, I am a veteran of [specify war/campaign],
am retired from [specify branch of service], and actively support
"ABC" (at http://www...), which is a
humanitarian project on behalf of [specify].
Your courteous attention to this matter of mutual interest will
be appreciated. I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
/s/Manual Script
manualscript@electronicmailbox.net
"Warrior poets distract us from the torment of old wounds with
compositions that cause us to suffer new wounds. Their verses
help us to forget the pain of unchangeable battles by inspiring
us for all the coming battles. Their writings comfort us by
keeping our discomfiture acute."
Magyar / Hungarian sentiment
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