• Many journals require a cover letter to be submitted with a manuscript
  • Placed on department or division letterhead
  • Format as a formal (business) letter
• Any or all of the following may be required or requested:
  • Statements regarding funding, conflicts of interest, copyright transfer, attestation of original work
  • A very brief overview of the paper’s main points; this is critical as it provides an opportunity to describe the importance of the study or research; leave out background or introductory information
  • Type/category of article (review, original research, case report),
  • Suggestions for reviewers or editors: take advantage of this! This may speed up the review process and is to an author’s advantage to ensure the work is reviewed by a colleague who knows the author’s work.

Close the letter by thanking the editor or journal for their consideration of your work

Sample Cover Letter

(Date)

Dr. John Smith, Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Ophthalmology

Dear Dr. Smith:

We are submitting our manuscript entitled “Taking antioxidants plus zinc reduces the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration for high-risk patients,” for consideration for publication as an Original Article in Journal of Ophthalmology. This work has not been previously published and is not currently under consideration for publication  elsewhere. All authors have contributed significantly and have read and approved the submitted work.

Results from our randomized, controlled trial of drug X demonstrate significant improvement in patient symptoms. Drug X is a simple, cost-effective treatment that clinicians can implement easily and quickly into routine practice.

[Any required text: disclosures, funding, author participation, IRB/ACUC approval]

Thank you for your consideration of this manuscript. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
A. Thomas Jones, MD
Associate Professor