How to Create a Writer Cover Letter | Free Guide & Template

Securing a place as a writer can be challenging, especially in the competitive UK job market. But worry not! Creating a good cover letter is your ticket to success. A writing career could be your calling if you enjoy weaving captivating stories, entertaining audiences, or deciphering data. Whether you're eyeing a role in journalism or copywriting, taking that first step and applying for your dream job can be a game-changer.

Consider a cover letter as your short introduction or motivation letter for potential employers. In other words, it is a one-page glimpse that explains how you can contribute to the company’s values. Let's walk through crucial cover letter sections and best practices to add that extra flair to make your application shine amongst the competition.

Ready to kickstart your writing career? Begin your application today and explore our matching writer CV example to help you ace your job application.

Writer cover letter example

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This CV sample features Kai Grey, who adeptly presents strong writing skills and career accomplishments through a concise cover letter, positioning himself as a qualified and experienced candidate. The cover letter is modern and aligned with the corresponding CV example. It follows a clear structure, using concise language and a professional font to make a lasting impression. The personal details strategically display the candidate's current location and phone number for a hiring manager to schedule a follow-up interview. The body of the cover letter walks the recruiter through his relevant work experience and career accomplishments.

Check out the matching writer CV.

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What to include in a writer cover letter?

An impactful cover letter needs to be brief and tailored to your job in writing. Whether highlighting journalism achievements, content creation expertise, or editing skills, it should emphasise how your unique skills align with the job description. Remember to research the company culture beforehand to better understand the job's criteria and keywords you need to incorporate throughout your career documents.

A modern writer's cover letter is a snapshot of your experience and accomplishments. It usually follows a chronological format, like your corresponding CV. It offers a quick overview of your writing journey. Writers and authors delve into research for authentic storytelling and create content across various media, such as advertisements, blogs, books, magazines, and scripts for movies, plays, and television.

The structure of a cover letter is simpler than you think. Include the following must-have sections to make sure your cover letter aligns with the job's criteria.

• Personal details

• Introduction

• Body

• Conclusion.

Explore our writing guide on how to structure your cover letter for more insights into different sections.

How to start a writer cover letter

The opening paragraph of your cover letter should provide a concise yet impactful overview of your qualifications, echoing the career goals and soft skills outlined in your personal profile on a CV. This section captures the hiring manager's attention and establishes a robust initial impression. Make sure to state the exact job title, such as medical or bid writer, in your introduction.

When addressing the cover letter, refer to a hiring manager assessing your application and use the 'Dear Mr/Ms (Last name)' format. A simple 'Dear Hiring Manager' also suffice if the name is unknown. Personalising your cover letter increases the likelihood of making a successful connection with the reader.

Need more tips? Refer to our article on how to start a cover letter.

For more insights on tailoring your cover letter, read our blog on the CV writing process: master vs job-specific CV. Remember that your CV goes hand in hand with your cover letter, so learning strategies to plan your time and arrange different cover letter parts can be beneficial for your success.

How to write the body of a writer cover letter

In the body of your cover letter, delve into why you are interested in the desired role and why you are the ideal candidate. Align your skills, experiences, and career aspirations with the position and the organisation's values. Only include verifiable information and reserve any additional claims for the interview stage.

While cover letters are flexible in structure, we suggest dividing the body into two paragraphs.

Paragraph 2: 

Present your skills and experience to align with the job description. Highlight qualifications and areas of expertise that make you a strong candidate. Use adjectives such as "creative," "adaptable," and "meticulous" to describe your soft skills. If you have no experience, mention your relevant transferrable skills, emphasising their alignment with the company's goals. For example, if the role requires versatile writing, provide a concise example of a successful project where you demonstrated adaptability in writing different types of content.

Refer to the soft skills in a CV article for more insights on incorporating them into your CV and cover letter.

Paragraph 3: 

Emphasise your hard skills and achievements, showcasing concrete examples of your success in previous roles. Align accomplishments with the job application, demonstrating how your past performance makes you an ideal fit for the current opportunity. This section is an excellent opportunity to elaborate on your areas of expertise through achievements, projects, or other work experience.

Here are five examples of top skills employers look for in your CV or cover letter:

• Content creation: Showcase your skill in generating engaging and compelling content tailored to a specific audience.

• Editing: Highlight your meticulous approach to reviewing and refining written materials.

• Project management: Demonstrate your organisational skills by detailing successful management of editorial projects or content calendars.

• Research skills: Showcase your proficiency in conducting thorough research to enhance the quality and accuracy of your writing.

• Adaptability: Emphasise your capacity to adapt your writing style to different audiences and project requirements.

How to end a writer cover letter

Conclude your cover letter by summarising your enthusiasm for the role and expressing confidence in your ability to contribute to the company's success. Ensure to express gratitude for the reader's time and consideration. Finally, end with a professional sign-off, expressing your eagerness to discuss your application further in an interview.

How to write a cover letter with no experience?

Emphasise transferable skills gained from coursework, volunteer work, or personal projects. Highlight your enthusiasm for the industry, ability to adapt, and knowledge of writing trends. Showcase any relevant coursework or certifications and express your eagerness to contribute and grow within the writing role.

See our article on how to write a CV with no experience for further guidance on how to allign your experience with the job's requirements.

Example:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am interested in the Writing Intern position at PenCraft, which I came across on Indeed. Despite not having years of work experience in this role, I am confident that my passion for crafting impactful content along with excellent communication and writing skills position me as an excellent fit for this internship opportunity.

Throughout my studies, I have developed strong communication and creative thinking skills that I deem crucial for a thriving working environment. Through coursework and active participation in group projects, I have developed the ability to articulate ideas clearly and collaborate seamlessly within a team, essential qualities in the publishing industry.

My academic journey at the University of Birmingham presented numerous opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities such as WordCo and newspaper commitees further refining my organisational skills and adaptability. These experiences have underscored the importance of delivering messages and solutions that resonate compellingly with the target audience.

hank you for taking the time to consider my application. I am confident that my proactiveness, creative problem-solving, and eagerness to learn will make a meaningful contribution to your established writing team. I am eager to explore how I can contribute to the success of PenCraft and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy in more detail.

Sincerely,

Marta Nowak

Attached: CV & references

Key takeaways

By adhering to the above guidelines, you should be able to craft a good writer cover letter that enhances your chances of securing your job. Carefully execute each step, ensuring seamless alignment between your CV and cover letter, thereby bringing you one step closer to landing a job interview. Lastly, proofread carefully to ensure your cover letter is not only visually appealing but also clearly conveys your qualifications and enthusiasm for a career in writing.

Next steps?

To help you create an outstanding CV, explore our services below:

• CV Builder: explore one of our professional CV templates to help you create tailored and well-formatted document.

• Cover Letter Builder: apply for a job with a matching cover letter template, ensuring a clear layout so you can easily personalise and adjust it to your career goals.

• CV Writing service: contact one of our experts for feedback and quick, professional advice on tailoring your CV to a specific job. 

• Blog: see our guides and brief articles to educate yourself on the best strategies to improve your job prospects. 

Explore our diverse cover letter templates and CV examples designed to align with your writing career objectives. 

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FAQ

Do you need a cover letter for writing?

A cover letter is essential to the job application process for any writing role. It provides room to showcase your enthusiasm, elaborate on soft and hard skills, and connect your experiences directly to the needs of the writing role. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart in a competitive publishing field.

How long should a cover letter for writing be?

A well-structured cover letter should be between 250 to 400 words, equivalent to half a page to one full page. It consists of three to four short paragraphs designed for better readability and quick scanning of essential keywords. The key to an impactful cover letter is its conciseness, efficiently conveying your interests and highlighting why you are the ideal candidate.

For more tips, refer to our article about the ideal cover letter length.

How do I write an opening statement for a content writer's cover letter?

Emphasise your customer service skills, achievements, and ability to work collaboratively. Express enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the company's goals. Here is an example of an opening paragraph to guide you further:

Refer to the closely related marketing cover letter example for more examples and tips you can apply to your cover letter.

How do I write a cover letter for an internship as a writer?

Focus on your educational background, relevant coursework, extracurricular activities or projects demonstrating your flair for writing. Highlight your eagerness to learn, adapt, and contribute to the company's writing initiatives. Highlight any transferable skills from your studies that align with the internship requirements, and express your enthusiasm for gaining on-the-job experience in the field.

Refer to our internship CV example for more tips and guidance on which sections to include.