Writing Cover Letters

Cover Letters

On our submission form, you may note that we require you to submit a cover letter for each piece of art and writing that you submit. This is because cover letters are a great way for us to get to know your work and streamline the editing process. For a lot of new writers and artists, however, writing cover letters may be confusing, so below are our recommended templates for cover letters, both for writing and art. Even for experienced writers and artists, please read our template, as we request specific information from you. If you blatantly ignore our cover letter instructions, we will likely not be able to review your work.

Cover Letter Template: Writing

Dear Sascha, Rida, Mikul, Kamaria, and Mollusk Lit readers,

I am sending for your consideration my [poetry/fiction/etc] submission, “[Title].” This submission may include some sensitive subjects, such as [trigger warnings]. This piece has themes of [themes]. 

This piece is/isn’t a simultaneous submission[; if it is accepted elsewhere I will email you at mollusk.lit@gmail.com]. This is/isn’t a multiple submission; I understand that Mollusk Lit may choose to publish one but not all of my submissions. (If it’s a multiple submission, please include the required information for each submission.) This piece has never been previously published or recognized. (Self-published and/or published in a school magazine is okay.)

1 sentence synopsis (prose and dramatic scripts only; we want a better idea of your work so we can assign it to the corresponding editor, so please no spoilers):

• Example: A tragic romance between two women who are separated by war, told from the perspective of a living rag doll.

Choose to submit either a first or third person bio with your work:

Bio (first person version): Hi, I’m [Your Name] ([pronouns]), a writer living in Place. I have been published in Stink Bean Magazine and I’ve won the Fancy Pants Award. Above all else, I love surrealism and high fantasy. In my free time, I love hiking with my dog and playing board games with friends. You can follow me on Instagram @TotallyReal and find more of my writing at onlineportfolio.com.

Bio (third person version): [Your Name] ([pronouns]) is a writer living in Place. They have been published in Stink Bean Magazine and have won the Fancy Pants Award. Above all else, they love surrealism and high fantasy. In their free time, they love hiking with their dog and playing board games with friends. You can follow them on Instagram @TotallyReal and find more of their writing onlineportfolio.com. 

Thank you for considering this piece for Mollusk Literary Magazine. 

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Cover Letter Template: Art

Dear Alyssa and Mollusk Lit Readers,

I am sending for your consideration my [medium] piece, “[Title].” The piece is approximately 10x10x10in. This submission may include some sensitive subjects, such as [trigger warnings]. This piece has themes of [themes]. 

This piece is/isn’t a simultaneous submission[; if it is accepted elsewhere I will email you at mollusk.lit@gmail.com]. This is/isn’t a multiple submission; I understand that Mollusk Lit may choose to publish one but not all of my submissions. (If it’s a multiple submission, please include the required information for each submission.) This piece has never been previously published or recognized. (Self-published and/or published in a school magazine is okay.)

Choose to submit either a first or third person bio with your work:

Bio (first person version): Hi, my name is [Your Name] ([pronouns]). I am an artist living in [Place]. My art has been published in Stink Bean Magazine and has been displayed in The Bestest Gallery. Above all else, I love surrealism and bright midtones. In my free time, I love hiking with my dog and playing board games with friends. You can follow me on Instagram @TotallyReal and find more of my art in Really Real and Cool Art Show in New York City. 

Bio (third person version): [Your Name] ([pronouns]) is an artist living in [Place]. They have been published in Stink Bean Magazine and their art has been displayed in The Greatest Gallery. Above all else, they love surrealism and mid tones that pop. In their free time, they love hiking with their dog and playing board games with friends. You can follow them on Instagram @TotallyReal and find more of their art in Really Real and Cool Art Show in New York City. 

Thank you for considering this piece for Mollusk Literary Magazine. 

Sincerely,

[Your Name]