The cover letter seems very impersonal, how can I make it more impressive so that the Editor will treat my submission favorably?
The review of your article will be based on your research and how it is presented in the article itself. However, the Editor has to agree to send your article for review. As mentioned in the introduction to this section, your cover letter should have just enough information for the Editor to make an initial judgment if your article may be suitable for the journal. The cover letter must be short, and factual, so there does not seem much scope for standing out from the crowd.
Remember you are addressing a person: Imagine that you have three minutes to tell the Editor about your work. He or she is a busy person and highly respected, but may not be familiar with the details of your particular field of study. So make sure your letter is accurate and error-free. Don’t use abbreviations or terms that may be unfamiliar to the Editor (or if necessary, add a definition or brief explanation)
Pay attention to the journal: You are submitting to a specific journal that has specific characteristics. Get on the right side of the Editor by following these requirements.
What is new in your article? Remember that the number one reason for acceptance of an article is that it presents something new and interesting. So, make sure that this section is very clear to the Editor. Don’t hide it away in the middle of a paragraph.
The cover letter is not a CV (but…): Don’t include details of your career or lists of your previous publications in your cover letter. Your research should be judged on its own merit. However, there are subtle ways to include some extra information about yourself. It is perfectly acceptable to include your academic title (Dr. or Professor) and job title (Director or Head of Department) in your postal address at the end of the letter, if you wish. Similarly, you should not include a list of your previous publications, but it may be possible to include mention of a previous publication if it has direct relevance to the current article.
