cover letter for submitting short story

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Award-Winning Editor of Clarkesworld Magazine, Forever Magazine, The Best Science Fiction of the Year, and More

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Short Story Cover Letters

By Neil Clarke

On 08/17/2020

In anthologies , clarkesworld magazine , slush , writing

Let me preface this post by saying:

• These are my preferences for cover letters when submitting a story to Clarkesworld Magazine or one of my anthologies. This is not a standard, though other editors may feel the same way.
• Most cover letters are awful, so I read them last. I don’t want them influencing my opinion of a story before I’ve even read it. I’ve never rejected a story because of the cover letter.
• This post will be updated as necessary. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

How to address a cover letter

You can skip Dear Neil, Dear Mr. Clarke, Dear Editor, Dear Editor and first readers, etc. It doesn’t have any impact. Simple mistakes here can sometimes work against you. For example, “Dear Sheila” tells me you either meant to send this to Asimov’s or they’ve already rejected it. Every editor I know has had this sort of thing happen to them. Some hate it. Some find it amusing. I couldn’t care less, so just skip the niceties and dive right into the substance.

What should be in a cover letter?

There’s a few things that might have me view your story in a different light.

• if there’s a particular aspect to this story that pulls from your professional experience (for example, physicist, historian, astronaut, musician, etc.) or personal experience (cultural, regional, temporal, etc.)

You don’t have to “write what you know” but if you happen to know, it’s good that I know you do.

• if you are a non-native English speaker

I have immense difficulty learning other languages, so I’m not going to hold a non-native speaker to the same standards for spelling and grammar. Your approach to storytelling might even be a bit non-standard to a native English speaker. This is important to know for the evaluation and (if accepted) editing phases.

• if you are under 18 years old

I’m impressed. I never would have done something like this at your age. Like the non-native speakers, I’m going to cut you a little more slack on the grammar and spelling. (Not that I’m particularly hung up on that being perfect to start with.) It does, however, have an impact should we choose to accept your work: your parents or legal guardian will be required to co-sign the contract.

Since I read the cover letter last, think of the above items as having the potential to make me go back and read a bit further. This even applies in instances where I haven’t been the first reader. (Editors and first readers often stop reading a story when they no longer think it will work for a publication.)

• if you are previously unpublished

I’m not buying names. I’m buying stories. What you’ve sold previously (or not) doesn’t mean this story will be any better or worse. That said, every editor I know loves to be the first person to publish an author’s work. It’s something that should be celebrated and I often don’t find out until after the story has been published. Telling me up-front helps avoid that.

• if you are submitting a translation

You should tell me where the story was originally published (if it has been), what the original language is, your relationship to the story (author or translator), and whether or not you have the approval of whoever holds the rights on the original (sometimes this isn’t the author or their estate). The translator’s name should also be in the manuscript, typically under the author’s byline.

• if you are submitting a reprint

We don’t accept reprints at Clarkesworld , but this does apply to any of the reprint anthologies I edit. I need to know where and when the story was originally published and if there are any restrictions (usually time, region, or language-based) in place.

• if you aren’t the author

Yes, there are legitimate reasons this could happen. The most common is that the person submitting the work is the author’s agent or otherwise represents their estate. It also common with translations. We will verify this before issuing a contract.

• if you selected “other” for genre

Since it doesn’t fit in one of the categories we’ve listed, please let us know what genre you think it is.

If none of the above applies to you, then a simple “Thank you for considering my story” is more than enough.

What shouldn’t be in a cover letter?

• Our submission system already asks for title, genre, word count, and email address. Repeating them here is pointless
• Mailing address (should be on the first page of the story) or phone number
• A laundry list of everyone that has ever published you. Never include more than three, but honestly, you should just skip this information entirely
• Bank or PayPal information
• A summary of your story

Ultimately, I prefer your cover letter to be very short. If your cover letter is long (for reasons other than those positives I’ve mentioned), you’ve likely done something wrong.

Best Science Fiction of the Year Volume 5, Table of Contents

The best science fiction of the year: 2020 submission guidelines, 85 comments.

Add Comment →

Carolyn O'Brien

Very helpful information,

Angela Panayotopulos

Good to know! Thanks!

Des Browning

“We don’t accept reprints at Clarkesworld, but this does to any of the reprint anthologies I edit”

This doesn’t read correctly, specifically “this does”. Should it be “this doesn’t apply” ?

Neil Clarke

Should have been “this does apply”

Oyeledun Jehofanifemi

About the Co_signing of the contract, how is it going to be possible with international writers

We work with international writers all the time and have never had any problem with receiving digital signatures on their contracts. Sometimes they sign through the PDF and sometimes they print, sign, and send us a scan or photo of the contract.

Hello, If I am writing with 8 other writers, and we would like to explain how this story came to be, would you like us to include that in the cover letter?

If you must, please keep it short. While it may be interesting, it isn’t relevant to the evaluation process.

Gim Patrick

Hello, I’m 15 years old right now and I’m from San Andres Island, Colombia. My mom already knows I want to start with this and supports me. ¿Do I still need a co-sign?

You can submit stories without needing any signatures, but if we accept one for publication, a parent or legal guardian will need to co-sign the contract we send you. This is a legal requirement for us when working with minors (anyone under 18).

Simon Kibunyi

Hey what if I rewrite a story that was written centuries ago,put my own twist into it. It’s important to also say that these stories are royalty free meaning I can do anything I want to do with them..do you accept them?

Retellings/reinterpretations of public domain works (stories, myths, legends, etc.) are quite common and we have published some. I would recommend mentioning the work that inspired yours in the cover letter.

Wow thanks for quick response…I will definitely do that..Thank you

Is there a way we can retain audio rights? It doesn’t say anything about having a podcast, so if I would like to submit the short story to another podcast, would that be possible?

And I was wondering about reprints. I know that most podcasts accept them, but I was wondering if it worked the other way around. If my short gets accepted for a podcast, but has not been published yet (in text form), can I still send it out to magazines after it’s in audio and published?

Clarkesworld requires audio rights. (We podcast all the stories that appear in our magazine.) If a story has been previously published by a podcast, it would no longer have the first rights we also require.

Can we still publish our own version after you publish the audio, or can we use your version? Would it be ok to use pointers on our website? Once I get one, that is.

We have exclusive rights to published works for six months from date of publication. After that you may reprint or publish the story elsewhere. The audio edition cannot be repurposed as that version of the narration is ours. You can, however, create a new recording of your own. You are also allowed to link to the published versions on our website.

Issac Strom

Would it be possible for you to offer an example of what you consider to be an exemplary cover letter?

I would be extremely appreciative. In any case, thank you very much for your time in writing out this useful advice.

Not including one was a deliberate move on my part. The above criteria can result in a variety of “exemplary” (by my standards) cover letters and providing an example of just one might mislead someone who needed another.

That said, merely “good” is good enough. If everyone followed the guidance of the last paragraph of this post, that would be a great start.

I would like to say, thank you very much for taking the time to make these guidelines crystal clear and easy to understand.. I look forward to submitting my work soon.

Thank you. I look forward to reading your stories.

I have a quick question, I know it might sound silly but I think it’s better to ask and be corrected than to make the mistake anyways. The short story that I have written is up to 20,000 words, I’m wondering if I could include chapters in it or it’s forbidden to do so.

Do what you think is appropriate for the story. Something that small won’t alter our evaluation of it. If we accept it and think it isn’t quite right, we’d discuss it with you during the editing phase.

Nithiya Shree

Hello Neil Clarke Sir. I want to introduce myself to you because I got very much inspiration from you. When I searching to Chakesworld for submission I saw ” Award Winning Editor” this impress me Soo much.

I’m Nithiya Shree from Myanmar ( Burmese). I’m 18. I’m finished my high school when I’m 16 and now I’m trying to be an author. As above you mentioned sir, I’m not English native speaker. I have only English intermediate level. But sir I will try my best to submit my story to your team. Also I’m not previously published. Again I’m not an author now. Even though I’m none of them, Can I able to become an author Sir ?

Now Sir I’m starting my plot. One day I will be as you.

This comment may br disturb to you, I’m sorry for that. As you said, I’m freely to comment. I hope it will not agitate you.

Hi Nithiya, You don’t need to be a published author (in English or any other language) to submit stories to Clarkesworld. We are happy to see works by new writers from all over the world. I wish you the best of luck with your writing and hope to see submissions from you over at Clarkesworld someday.

Nithiya shree

Thank you so much Sir.

Evonne M. Biggins

Hello, Clark,

I appreciate that you take questions. A couple years ago, I sent three stories to the non-profit state writing league. They were printed in a book with many other members’ stories, but whoever printed/edited them scrambled sentences, changed dates and locations, didn’t indent paragraphs. We were all very upset. Mine were my favorite stories. We weren’t paid for them, but the league made money from them. The league recently folded, no longer exists. So, are those stories considered previously published and not publishable or can we change the stories and the titles and be able to submit them?

Thank you, Evonne M. Biggins.

Published badly is still published. Even corrected, you won’t be able to sell them as originals anymore. They’ll be reprints from here on out. Changes would need to be substantial before someone would consider them as a new story. Changing names, formatting, and correcting errors doesn’t achieve that. Not surprised that the league folded if that’s how they treated the writers they worked with.

OMG. I meant to start with the correct spelling of your first and second name.

A lesson was learned on my part, sorry!

🙂 No worries. Happens all the time.

Hi Neil Clarke 🙂 ,

I expected that reply, and thanks again. I agree; those stories meant a lot to us, and the “leaders” of our chapter failed us. I’ll think up an even better story to send to you.

Hi, I was just wondering, do you consider stories with long, descriptive and slightly philosophical sections, or do you prefer fast- moving and plot based work? Thank you, Catrina

I don’t see it as an either/or situation. Happy to consider both approaches.

Thank you for the quick reply.

Ayesha javed

Hello Clark , I just turned 18 and want to become a story writer. I want to publish a story that I have been working on for the last couple of months. I have never published before and don’t know much about it. The story that I have been working on is in volumes and each volume has roughly 5000 words. I don”t have anyone to guide me so can you please tell me if I can publish my story in volumes

Short stories are usually submitted and considered by publishers individually. Even if we were to accept the first one, each one after that would still be considered on its own individual merits. We would also expect each story to stand on its own, meaning that someone could read story #3 without having to have read #1 and #2. If each story is dependent on the prior installment, you may be serializing a novel (depending on many 5K installments you have). While there are some current magazines that have published serialized novels (I can think of two in recent years), we’re not one of them. That said, we have published some short stories that have eventually been expanded into novels and published elsewhere.

Thank You for the guidance.

Evangeline Mmayie

Hello Clarke,

I have two questions concerning the type of story we are to submit. Should it be YA or adult SF/F?

Also, you stated you don’t want a story about rapists. But what if the rapist is the villain and the crime occurred long before the story begins?

Doris Antonio Balica

Hello Neil,

Continuing on what Ayesha previously asked, but somewhat different, could stories be published separately—and at a later date from each-other— in, let’s say two volumes, if the second one is not an actual continuation of the first, nor a “prequel”? Instead, the plot of the second volume occurs at the same time and is simply seen from the perspective of other characters / civilization, barely named in the first volume, or not at all. The plot culminates in the same ending, there are some repeating scenes and dialogues, but a different point of view, the stories do stand on their own, as someone could read #2 without reading #1 and vice-versa. Could the second volume be accepted (providing the first one is)?

So two stories happening in the same world at the same time, but told from two different points-of-view? I remember reading a book, many years ago, that did that. The book was evenly split between the two points of view and you could read either half first.

It is possible that could work in short fiction, but the amount of repeated content could become problematic (since short fiction is paid per-word, the amount of recycled word-for-word content might become a red flag for an editor/publisher) and as you said, the story ends the same way, so something else would have to stand out to make up for the spoiled ending. The latter is the same problem a lot of retellings face.

I wouldn’t discount the possibility this could work, but I think it might be harder than selling two very different stories.

Thank you for the reply, my first plan was to blend them together in a single story, but it would’ve had too many main and side characters even for a novella. I’m looking forward to submitting the first story soon and see how it goes from there.

Also, you stated you don’t want a story about rapists. But what if the rapist is the villain and the crime occurred long before the story begins?

Our audience is primarily adults, but adults read both, so it doesn’t matter which.

I don’t have enough information to make that call. Submit the story. The worst that happens is we’ll say no.

Okay, thank you

Robert Lewis

Can you withdraw after submission?

If one were to notice an error or a glut of errors would one be able to withdraw and submit a revision? A mark of the unprofessional, I know. Haven’t quit my day job yet.

Sure. If you contact us, we can remove the submission. You’ll have to resubmit and that will move you to the back of the queue. That said, if it’s just a few spelling errors, I wouldn’t worry about it. That’s not enough to sway our opinion.

Greg Osadec

After reading the original post and the comments, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything for me to include in a cover letter.

Is it okay to write one that’s just a few sentences (such as these examples from Strange Horizons: http://strangehorizons.com/submit/fiction-submission-guidelines/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/ ) or skip it altogether?

If none of the above applies to you, then a simple “Thank you for considering my story” is more than enough.

Oh jeez, I just noticed this in the original post. I’m embarrassed that I missed it. Thanks for your patience!

Do you accept high fantasy with a sword and sorcery vibe?

I need to write my details in the story, like an address, an account number, or do it in a cover letter.

Address is part of the standard first page information in the document containing your story and there is no need to replicate it in the cover letter. Account number is never necessary in a submission. That should only come up if a story is accepted for publication.

Can I submit a story based on science fiction, martial arts and fantasy.

Chris Wozney

I love the clarity and directness of these instructions. It’s quite clear that there are human beings (who are attempting to be judicious) on the receiving end of submissions, not a sorting algorithm.

My husband has written an excellent story, but he doesn’t have any confidence that it could be published, so he’s reluctant to submit it anywhere. Could I submit it for him and then (one hopes) surprise him with an offer to publish if you choose it?

A story shouldn’t be submitted without the author’s permission, even with the best of intentions.

Hi, can i write story with my native Malay language? I from Malaysia..thanks

Yesss, this is super informative. If we want to use a pseudonym, though, would we leave that in the cover letter, or just use it as our name in the information?

It doesn’t need to be in the cover letter. It should be in the story attached to the submission. The standard header should include your legal name and contact information. Your pseudonym would go under the title.

Perfect, thanks!

Hello Mr. Clarke,

Thank you for the clear guidelines! A lot of places it’s a shot in the dark. Stupid question: if I submit work to you folks and it is rejected, does this impact future submissions (assuming that the standard waiting period is observed etc.)?

I am trying to determine the fine line between persistence and being a nuisance.

Thanks in advance.

All the best, Vivian

Every submission is a clean slate. Previous rejections or acceptances have no bearing on how we consider the next one.

Thank you for clarifying!

Patricia C.

For the coming spanish submission process, the cover letter should be in spanish or in english if that is possible?

The cover letter for stories submitted during the Spanish Language Submissions Window can be in English or Spanish. Whichever is more comfortable for you.

What are the chances that I would be allowed to create the podcast (given the acceptance of my diatribe) myself. I have some experience of producing podcasts to a broadcast standard, and the equipment to do so.

We’d be open to discussing it, but if its a deal-breaker, we’d want to know that at time of submission.

Thank you Neil, it wouldn’t be a condition though..

Thanks so much for supplying this page (and all the other informative pieces you’ve written) to help us burgeoning writers. I was nervous about what to write re.cover letter, until I found your handy notes. Made it much easier than I thought it would be to submit a story. Now, I just have to find a nail and ready it for my rejection letter 🙂

Vishvanathan

i have been written the story in my own imagination and i also referred many movies stories and also some comics but i have been written with my own words and combination of those stories can i submit this type of work. should i need to submit any audio with this work.

if my work was submitted today after how many days i will be get my payment because i have been dropped out my collage and i have been started some side hustle so i found you i have been writing stories from my age of 16 and now i am 20 i have 4 years of experience so i think i can make this

And i have a doubt with the payment if u are giving 12 cents per word means 1000 words i will be receive120 dollars right or is there any calculation if there can you explain me

Howdy. I wonder if you have got a cover letter example on pdf format.

Dafny Anessa Guiali

Thank you so much!

Valerie Cole

I just tried to submit a story with a cover letter, and the system wouldn’t let me enter anything after 78 words. I swear, my cover letter was only 114 words anyway. Did I do something wrong? Thanks.

We have a 450 character limit on the cover letter. We mean it when we say we prefer short cover letters. The cap was put in place to push people in the right direction. Before that, we were seeing far too many 500+ word cover letters.

Having never done a cover lette rmyself, I’d love to see an example of one that I can try to match in terms of template.

Samuel Finn

I just tumbled to your comment section. To keep this brief I’m curious about your ask that submissions don’t include “easy FTL travel,” and wondering what constitutes acceptable FTL travel. If you rule out FTL travel you rule out a lot of sci-fi, don’t you? You can’t reasonably get anywhere outside our solar system without it, and how will any aliens reach us? I just submitted a story to you that includes FTL travel, which derives from an episode in a series I’m writing where I do give an explanation for how it works, perhaps lame and not too technical but at least something. Thanks

I suppose that the “acceptable” FTL travel is based in science, not simply a device to pull the plot forward. The modifications in the laws of physics that make the travel possible must be reasonable (plausibility) and be the same for everything else that depend on these laws, whether the thing is directly related to FTL or not (consistency). It may sound a little restrictive, but that’s how I do.

Let’s say that, for your FTL device to work, there is no conservation of energy. Ok, your device creates power from nowhere and the ship crosses the galaxy etc. But, what happens when you, standing on the surface of a planet and subject to gravity, throws a rock up in the air? Will it come back down? Maybe. Or maybe it will reach a height and stay frozen there as if there’s no gravity, or it will accelerate forever and escape the planet. You see, rock throwing has nothing in common with FTL travel, except that conservation of energy limits both situations.

Nothing stops you from saying that the device works by opening a wormhole to tap energy from a star, for example, as long as it is plausible and consistent.

We’re really just trying to eliminate the implausible and hand-wavy stuff. Think about the consequences of having this ability, power necessary to drive it, and its use. Think about how this changes our understanding of physics and society and what else that might impact. Something this big would change many things. A world where this can happen will be forever changed by it.

Jonah Kalter

I’ve just submitted my short story for your approval. However, I wanted to inform you that due to a 1MB file size limit (my original was 1.8MB), I had to convert the .docx file into a .RTF format. Unfortunately, this conversion altered the formatting from your preferred style. I thought it was important to let you know about this issue.

Can you please mention the standard word count

That’s in our guidelines. https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/

Sahar Adnan

If formatting is a bit difficult for an author, does this affect his/her selection of the story ?

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15 Short Cover Letter Examples & Step-by-Step Guide for 2024

You’re preparing your job application, and your resume is all set and ready to go.

But the job market is competitive, and you know hiring managers don’t spend a lot of time on individual applications.

Unfortunately, your resume only has so much space for you to convey your skills and experience. How can you tell your full story without losing the hiring manager’s interest?

This is where the short cover letter comes into play.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is a Short Cover Letter?

6 Steps to Writing a Short Cover Letter

15 short cover letter examples.

By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped with all the tools needed to create a short cover letter that stands out.

So, let's get started!

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document you can submit alongside your CV or resume for a job application.

When done right, a cover letter complements your resume by adding a personal touch to your job application. It's your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager, giving life to the bullet points on your resume.

Think of it as a conversation starter. Unlike a resume, it lets you get into the details of your skills and experiences and express your enthusiasm for the job, not just list your qualifications.

This personal introduction can be a game changer for your job application since it helps paint a complete picture of you as a professional, using your own words.

Do you still think your resume needs improvement? Check out our detailed guide to learn how to make a resume .

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

The ideal length of a cover letter is usually between half a page and one page.

The word count is typically between 250 and 400 words. However, if the job ad specifies how long the cover letter should be, then make sure you abide by that. 

Generally, your cover letter should never be longer than the recommended length. Hiring managers don’t want to read your life story, and if they see a very long cover letter, they probably won’t even bother with it.

Just make sure to pay attention to your cover letter’s format , too. It should have at least three paragraphs consisting of three to five sentences each, but no more than six paragraphs. 

This helps give your cover letter a neat layout and makes it easier to read.

When Should You Write a Short Cover Letter?

There are certain situations when a short cover letter is the best companion to your resume, including: 

• Requirement from the job ad. If the job ad specifically asks for a brief cover letter, it's important to stick to that. This both shows attention to detail and that you can follow instructions.
• Restricted character limit.   When you’re applying through an online platform that has strict word count or character limits, you may want to write a short cover letter. This way, you can stay within the required limits without sacrificing any essential information.
• Email application. If you're expanding your professional network or sending a job application through email, the person receiving your message may prefer something brief and to the point. A shorter cover letter gets your message across without overwhelming the reader, and it makes it more likely that they'll read and remember your application.
• Industry standard. Certain industries, like tech startups, value straightforward communication. Here, a short cover letter can make a stronger impact than a longer one. It shows the hiring manager that you can communicate effectively and that you value the reader's time.
• Limited experience. If you're early in your career or amid a career change and you don't have a lot of relevant experience, a short cover letter can be more powerful. It allows you to focus solely on what you can offer, so every word counts.

Writing a short cover letter is easy once you know the process.

Just follow these simple steps:

#1. Plan Ahead of Writing

Before you write your cover letter , create an outline.

Having an outline for your short cover letter can help you write a more effective text, and it can help you see which crucial points you’ve covered.

An outline also helps keep your cover letter focused and coherent. It makes sure you stick to the most relevant details of your background, without any unnecessary details that could make you go over the word count.

#2. Take Time to Reflect

To get the ball rolling on writing your short cover letter, start by asking yourself some questions.

The goal of these questions is to help you pinpoint what the hiring manager wants to know and to make sure every word on your cover letter adds value to your job application.

Here are some questions your short cover should always answer:

• What excites you about this company and this specific role?
• Which of your skills and achievements are most relevant to the job ?
• How have you made a measurable contribution in your previous roles?
• How can you, based on everything so far, contribute to the company?

Don’t worry if the first draft of your text doesn’t look perfect. Any writer can tell you that the perfect text takes time and careful editing.

#3. Follow the Standard Cover Letter Structure

Your short cover letter should always be structured neatly and follow the same guidelines a regular cover letter would.

Here’s what that includes:

• Cover Letter Header. The very top of your short cover letter should include a header. We recommend choosing something that matches your resume. This is where your essential contact information is going to be, along with the hiring manager’s contact details.
• Personalized Greeting. Always address your cover letter to the person who’s going to be reading it. Do some research to find their name, and forget the age-old “To Whom It May Concern.” We recommend using something like “Dear Ms. Smith” or “Dear Axel Smith" for a professional yet personalized touch.
• Opening Paragraph. The first paragraph is the introduction to the rest of your cover letter. Use it to mention your background, such as your education or job title , and explain why you’re interested in the role. Include one or two of your most impressive achievements to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and make them read the rest of your cover letter.
• Main Body. The next paragraphs should focus on how you’re qualified for the position and why the hiring manager should choose you over other applicants. Emphasize your essential skills and any relevant certifications that make you stand out from the crowd. Mention why you’re a good match for the company, such as the common values you share with them or how you look forward to working on some of their interesting projects.
• Conclusion. End your cover letter by quickly recapping your key selling points, then add a call to action and a professional closing line. Urging the hiring manager to get in touch with you to discuss your application increases the likelihood that they actually will.

#4. Shorten Your Text

Once you’ve written your cover letter, it’s time to make sure it’s short.

It’s easy to get carried away when writing. When you’re describing your professional experience and passion for the industry you’re applying to, you might feel like there’s a lot you need to explain.

But the key to writing a short cover letter is to cut away everything that doesn’t need to be there.

Hiring managers don't have time to lose, and they quickly skim through tons of applications. If you want your short cover letter to grab their attention, you need to make sure you’re only focusing on the most important information and that your text is easy to follow.

While editing your text, remove any mention of skills or experiences that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for. You want every sentence in your brief cover letter to be impactful and memorable, not a novel about your life story.

#5. Proofread Carefully

One of the biggest cover letter mistakes is forgetting to double-check for any spelling errors.

Typos and bad grammar are some of the biggest deal-breakers for hiring managers. In fact, nearly 80% of hiring managers will reject an application if they see spelling mistakes .

Always read your cover letter carefully to catch any mistakes, and use tools like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar.

You can even get a friend or relative to read your cover letter for you, just in case you and the spell-checking tool let something slip by.

#6. Use a Cover Letter Template

Design can’t be ignored when you’re writing a short cover letter.

After all, before the hiring manager reads your cover letter, they’re going to look at it. And with less text on the page, how your cover letter looks becomes increasingly important.

That’s why, when creating your cover letter, you have to carefully adjust the layout, tweak the page margins, set the line spacing, choose the most appropriate font, and make sure your text never exceeds the word count.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that hard.

Just use one of our cover letter templates ! Try our free resume builder and pick one of our resume templates to create a matching application in minutes.

We've collaborated with hiring experts worldwide to create templates that check all the boxes when it comes to industry requirements and visual appeal. Try them now for a stress-free application process!

Need some inspiration? Check out these short cover letter examples for different professions and levels of experience.

#1. College Student Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information:

Jamie Smith  

College Student  

555-123-4567  

[email protected]  

Sacramento, CA  

linkedin.com/in/made-up-person  

Amanda Johnson

Made Up Marketing Group

456 Maple Drive

Boston, MA 01235

Dear Ms. Johnson,

As a recent Boston University Business Administration graduate with a marketing focus, I am excited to apply for the entry-level marketing position at Made Up Marketing Group. My academic and hands-on experience, including a significant project that boosted a local bookstore's online sales by 20% in three months, has equipped me with solid marketing principles and digital tool proficiency.

My internship at Bright Innovations honed my skills in social media campaigns, consumer data analysis, and event coordination, deepening my understanding of consumer behavior and targeted marketing. I admire Made Up Marketing Group's innovative branding and commitment to team creativity and growth. I am eager to bring my background and passion to your dynamic team.

Looking forward to discussing how I can contribute to your company's success.

Jamie Smith

Check out a full college student cover letter example here.

#2. Substitute Teacher Short Cover Letter Example

Contact information:

Liam Thompson

Substitute Teacher

413-554-7890

[email protected]

Providence, RI

linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

Principal Jennifer Walters

St. Mary Academy - Bay View

Riverside, RI

Dear Principal Walters,

I'm eager to express my interest in the substitute teacher role at St. Mary Academy - Bay View for the 2023-2024 school year. My BA degree and varied teaching experience from early childhood to high school have honed my adaptability and ability to create engaging learning environments.

My commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive classroom aligns with St. Mary Academy's values. My organizational skills, strong work ethic, and genuine passion for education can help me effectively manage classrooms and keep students engaged. I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to your students' academic and personal growth.

Looking forward to discussing how my experience can support St. Mary Academy's mission.

Best regards,

Check out a full substitute teacher cover letter example here.

#3. Barista Short Cover Letter Example

Contact information: Alex Johnson Barista   555-789-1234   [email protected]   Seattle, WA   linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO:  Mr. John Smith   Hiring Manager   Brewista Café   123 Coffee Lane   Seattle, WA

Dear Mr. Smith,

I'm eager to apply for the barista position at Brewista Café. With three years of hands-on experience, I'm confident I can bring the skill and dedication your team needs. My quick and accurate work resulted in a 20% tip increase in just three months, and I'm no stranger to busy shifts, often handling over 200 orders daily.

I excel at making various drinks quickly without compromising quality, ensuring customer satisfaction and team productivity. Additionally, I engage with customers, meeting their needs and recommending drinks based on their preferences. I always pitch in to help the team, be it restocking or cleaning, especially during slow business hours.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team.

Sincerely, Alex Johnson

#4. Nurse Practitioner Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Velma Rivers Board Certified Nurse Practitioner 555-123-4567 [email protected] Denver, CO linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Team Hearty Health Medical Inc. Denver, CO

Dear Hiring Team,

I am enthusiastic about the Nurse Practitioner position at Hearty Health Medical Inc. Your commitment to accessible and quality care aligns perfectly with my professional goals. With my Master of Science in Nursing, board certification, and extensive clinical experience, I am well-prepared to contribute to your telehealth platform.

My background includes treating a wide range of conditions and an active NP license in multiple states, ensuring I understand diverse healthcare needs. My proficiency in online healthcare tools and Independent Prescriptive Authority equips me to provide comprehensive care remotely.

I am excited about the opportunity to support your vision of making healthcare more accessible through telehealth. I look forward to discussing how my clinical expertise can help advance Hearty Health Medical's mission.

Please reach out to arrange an interview at your convenience.

Velma Rivers

Check out a full nurse practitioner cover letter example here.

#5. Attorney Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: John Smith Attorney 555-123-4567 [email protected] Arizona, USA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Manager Elevate Arizona, USA

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Junior Commercial Attorney position at Elevate. With over three years of legal practice experience, I have provided extensive transactional support to business clients, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts, with an emphasis on NDAs.

Elevate's focus on enhancing contractual infrastructure deeply resonates with my commitment to delivering high-quality legal solutions. I am eager to review and negotiate contracts and work collaboratively within the team.

Elevate's dedication to innovation in the legal industry resonates with my career goals and values. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my legal skills and dedication to excellence to your team.

Sincerely, John Smith

Check out a full attorney cover letter example here.

#6. Retail Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jordan Martinez Retail Talent Specialist 123-456-7890 [email protected] Seattle, WA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Talent Management Team Aritzia

Dear Talent Management Team,

I'm excited about the Specialist Retail Talent Management position at Aritzia. Your dedication to fostering high-performing teams aligns perfectly with my work ethic and professional goals. I’m confident that my talent management experience in the world of retail will help me ensure the right fit, cultural integration, and team potential.

My focus has always been on fair practices, smooth transitions, and optimized compensation to support team stability and productivity. Your holistic approach to performance assessment resonates with me, and I believe I can help foster a motivated workforce.

I'm eager to bring my skills and passion to your team. Please feel free to contact me so that we may discuss how I can contribute to your growth and success.

Warm regards, Jordan Martinez

Check out a full retail cover letter example here.

#7. Actor Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Chris Parker Actor & Theater Enthusiast   555-123-4567   [email protected]   Los Angeles, CA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person  

TO: Casting Director Local Theatre X Production X Los Angeles, CA

Dear Casting Director,

I'm thrilled about the Kids Production X casting call at Local Theatre Y. The captivating storyline aligns perfectly with my passion for children's theater. With experience in entertaining and engaging young audiences, I'm well-suited for vibrant characters.

I'm particularly drawn to Character Z, but open to other roles. My work ethic, dependability, and availability make me an excellent long-term addition to Local Theatre Y. I bring patience, enthusiasm, and a knack for connecting with kids.

I'm eager to contribute my acting prowess, energy, and dedication to Kids Production X. Please find my headshot and resume attached.

Looking forward to auditioning and discussing further.

Warm regards, Chris Parker

Check out a full actor cover letter example here.

#8. Digital Marketing Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jamie Williams Digital Marketing Associate 555-123-4567 [email protected] Austin, TX linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Alexandra Smith Marketing & Events Manager Marketing Agency X Austin, TX

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am excited about the Digital Marketing Associate position at Marketing Agency X. With over two years of digital marketing experience, I've led successful campaigns across various platforms, optimizing results and managing donor platforms.

My proficiency in tools like Google Analytics and strong project management skills can make me a valuable asset to your team. I am eager to contribute to your mission of enhancing brand awareness and fundraising through data-driven marketing.

Please contact me for an interview to explore how I can support your goals.

Sincerely, Jamie Williams

Check out a full digital marketing cover letter example here.

#9. IT Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information:  Roger Valdorf Desktop Analyst   555-123-4567   [email protected]   Denver, CO linkedin.com/in/made-up-person  

TO:   Wendy Welton Hiring Manager FakeTech Group Denver, CO  

Dear Ms. Welton,

I'm writing to express my interest in the Desktop Analyst position at FakeTech Group. My experience in providing technical support, both on-site and remotely, aligns well with your company's values of innovation and user-focused technology.

I am drawn to FakeTech's commitment to continuous learning and inclusivity. Throughout my career, I've sought to deepen my technical knowledge and ensure all users feel valued.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills can benefit FakeTech Group. Please feel free to contact me to schedule a conversation.

Warm regards, Roger Valdorf

Check out a full IT cover letter example here.

#10. Sales Short Cover Letter Example

Alex Thompson   Sales Representative   555-123-4567   [email protected]   Austin, TX   linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

Ms. Emily Stevens   Hiring Manager The IT Support Center   Austin, TX

Dear Ms. Stevens,

I'm writing to express my interest in the IT Support Center's Sales Representative role. With a strong background in sales and client relationship management, I believe I'm an ideal fit for this position.

My Business degree from the University of Texas and experience in sales have equipped me with essential skills, including proficiency in tools like Salesforce for efficient data management. In my current role at TechSolutions, I've successfully closed deals, boosted company revenue, and achieved high client retention rates.

I excel in connecting with decision-makers, understanding their needs, and working collaboratively within a team. I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and share your commitment to skill development and inclusive customer support.

I look forward to discussing how I can make a valuable impact. Please reach out to me via email or phone to arrange an interview.

Sincerely, Alex Thompson

Check out a full sales cover letter example here.

#11. Business Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: John Doe   Business Development Specialist   555-123-4567   [email protected]   New York, NY   linkedin.com/in/made-up-person  

TO: Chet Jones Hiring Manager   Pear Inc. New York, NY  

Dear Mr. Jones,

I came across the Business Development Representative role at Pear Inc. and was immediately intrigued. Your vision aligns with my passion for driving business growth through meaningful connections.

In my previous role, I consistently exceeded quarterly goals by at least 23%, showcasing my ability to communicate effectively with C-level executives and craft compelling proposals. I'm proficient in SalesForce and experienced in account management.

I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to Pear Inc.'s mission. Please contact me to schedule a discussion about my application.

Best wishes, John Doe

Check out a full business cover letter example here.

#12. Graphic Designer Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jordan Smith   Graphic Designer   555-321-4321   [email protected]   San Francisco, CA   linkedin.com/in/made-up-person  

TO:  Lucy Pleasant Hiring Manager Tech Company X San Francisco, CA

Dear Ms. Pleasant,

I discovered the Remote Graphic Designer role at Tech Company X and was instantly drawn to your creative approach and company culture.

With expertise in Adobe tools, project management, and social media, I've crafted impactful designs and collaborated effectively with diverse teams. My commitment to delivering quality work aligns with your values.

I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute my design skills and collaborate remotely with your team. Please contact me at the provided phone number or email address so that we may discuss my application further.

Sincerely, Jordan Smith

Check out a full graphic designer cover letter example here.

#13. Team Leader Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jessica Martin Team Leader 657-390-2145 [email protected] Orlando, FL linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Manager XYZ Digital Solutions Remote

I'm writing to express my interest in the Team Leader position at XYZ Digital Solutions. With extensive experience in leading teams and driving project success, I believe I'm well-suited for this role.

My leadership is marked by strong communication, fostering collaboration, and promoting innovation. I've successfully trained and mentored teams, enhancing productivity and building a supportive and goal-oriented culture. Proficient in digital tools, I enhance team efficiency and stay ahead of industry trends.

I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring my proactive leadership and commitment to excellence to XYZ Digital Solutions. I look forward to discussing how my experience can contribute to your team's success.

Jessica Martin

Check out a full team leader cover letter example here.

#14. Receptionist Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Sarah Miller Front Desk Receptionist 555-123-4567 [email protected] San Francisco, CA linkedin.com/in/made-up-person

TO: Hiring Manager Permanente Luxury Inn Santa Clara, CA 189 Sunflower Boulevard

Dear Front Desk Team,

I am excited to apply for the front desk receptionist role at the Permanente Luxury Inn, Santa Clara. My experience in customer service, cash handling, and efficient management of front desk operations aligns well with the requirements of this position.

I thrive in fast-paced environments, ensuring guests feel welcome while managing check-ins, check-outs, and cash transactions. My proficiency in keycard and POS systems, coupled with my ability to multitask, positions me to integrate seamlessly into your team.

I am confident that my commitment to excellent customer service will contribute to the Permanente Luxury Inn’s reputation for guest satisfaction. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills can align with your team's goals.

Please contact me to arrange an interview at your convenience.

Sarah Miller

Check out a full receptionist cover letter example here.

#15. Dental Assistant Short Cover Letter Example

Contact Information: Jane Smith   Dental Assistant   555-123-4567   [email protected]   Seattle, WA   linkedin.com/in/made-up-person  

TO: Washington State Department of Corrections   Health Services Team   Seafair Lows, WA   [email protected]  

I'm applying for the Dental Assistant position at Seafair Lows Corrections Center. As a registered Dental Assistant with a comprehensive background in direct chairside assisting, patient communication, record-keeping, and inventory management, I am well-equipped to meet the demands of this role.

My experience extends to creating a comfortable environment for patients, maintaining meticulous records, and ensuring the smooth operation of dental procedures. I am adept at working within the unique parameters of a correctional facility, prioritizing quality care and strict adherence to safety protocols.

Enclosed are my resume and professional references for your review. I am keen to contribute my skills to the Seafair Lows Corrections Center team and would welcome the chance to discuss this opportunity further.

Thank you for considering my application.

Check out a full dental assistant cover letter example here.

Key Takeaways

You’ve made it to the end of our article!

Hopefully, now you feel confident about writing your short cover letter.

Before you go and submit your job application, let’s briefly go over the main points we discussed:

• You should always include a cover letter with your job application, even though some hiring managers are divided about them. A short cover letter is a great choice to satisfy both types of hiring managers without taking a risk.
• Short cover letters are recommended if you have less relevant experience or you’re changing careers. You can focus on the experience you do have and keep your text brief.
• Pick an appropriate cover letter template to enhance your presentation. Use our free resume builder and choose a cover letter template to match, so you have a stylish job application that shows off your attention to detail.
• Your short cover letter will probably take several drafts. The best way to write it is by asking yourself important questions and then shortening your text until you fit the desired word count.
• Always proofread your cover letter before submitting it. Even a small typo or grammatical error could detract from your professionalism and make the hiring manager reject your application.

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Posts Use Altered Image of Secret Service Agents Following Trump Shooting

By Alan Jaffe

Posted on July 15, 2024

Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino .

The actions of the Secret Service at the Pennsylvania rally where former President Donald Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt are under review. But social media posts show an altered photo to falsely claim agents were smiling while moving Trump to safety. The original Associated Press photo shows the agents weren’t smiling.

President Joe Biden has called for an independent review and members of Congress plan an investigation into security measures taken — particularly by the Secret Service — at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump was wounded in an attempted assassination.

The Secret Service, whose duties include the protection of the president, is being questioned regarding preparations for the event, the size of the security perimeter and how the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks , 20, was able to get access to a rooftop near the rally stage. Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was killed by Secret Service snipers at the scene. One man attending the rally was killed, and two others were injured during the shooting, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Video of the assassination attempt shows Trump addressing the crowd and reacting as a bullet strikes him in the ear, followed by Secret Service agents surrounding him and slowly helping him up and off the stage. Before being moved off the stage, Trump can be seen raising a fist in the air.

That image of Trump’s gesture has been altered, however, in social media posts to falsely show two of the agents smiling as they assisted Trump and to claim the incident was “STAGED.”

A July 14 Threads post shows the altered image with a caption that says, “Why are the secret service smiling? STAGED.”

A video in a July 14 Instagram post shows several photos from the shooting — including two versions of the image of Trump with his fist raised as the agents help him. One accurately shows the agents with concerned expressions on their faces, and the other, altered image shows them smiling . The narrator of the video claims, “Something doesn’t look right. … Is it fake?”

What is fake is the altered image of the Secret Service agents smiling.

The original image showing Trump raising his fist as the agents move him off the stage was taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci, whose photos in the immediate aftermath of the shooting were published by the AP on July 14. The caption on the original photo reads: “Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci).”

The social media posts use a doctored version of that AP photo to make the false claim about the agents. The original photo shows the agents with concerned looks on their faces.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle issued a statement on July 15 about the actions of agents on the scene in Butler and the investigation of the incident. Cheatle said, in part: “Secret Service personnel on the ground moved quickly during the incident, with our counter sniper team neutralizing the shooter and our agents implementing protective measures to ensure the safety of former president Donald Trump.”

“The Secret Service is working with all involved Federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again. We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday and will participate fully. We will also work with the appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action,” Cheatle also said. 

Editor’s note:  FactCheck.org  is one of several organizations  working with Facebook  to debunk misinformation shared on social media. Our previous stories can be found  here . Facebook has  no control  over our editorial content.

Associated Press. “AP PHOTOS: Shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania.” Updated 14 Jul 2024.

Associated Press. “Video captures shooting at Trump rally.” 13 Jul 2024.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania State Police Identify Victims Shot During Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump.” 14 Jul 2024.

Kanno-Young, Zolan, et al. “Secret Service Under Scrutiny After Assassination Attempt on Trump.” New York Times. 14 Jul 2024.

Tolan, Casey. “What we know about the Trump rally gunman so far.” CNN 14 Jul 2024.

Tsirkin, Julie, et al. “Congress demands answers from Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt.” NBC News. 14 Jul 2024.

United States Secret Service. About Us. “Protecting Leaders.” Accessed 15 Jul 2024.

United States Secret Service. “Statement From U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.” 15 Jul 2024.

Wild, Whitney, Evan Perez and Tierney Sneed. “Secret Service faces serious questions about security footprint and rooftop access at Trump Event.” CNN. 15 Jul 2024.

Congress demands answers from Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt

WASHINGTON — Top leaders in Congress quickly unified to rebuke a failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Saturday rally, demanding briefings and planning investigations into the incident that left the former president injured.

“Congress will do a full investigation of the tragedy yesterday to determine where there were lapses in security and anything else that the American people need to know and deserve to know,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Sunday on the “ TODAY ” show . “But in the meantime, we’ve got to turn the rhetoric down. We’ve got to turn the temperature down in this country.”

Johnson said he has “gotten briefings from law enforcement” and asked “pointed questions” of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Saturday night.

Top Democrats on Capitol Hill also condemned the shooting.

“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. His office said after the incident he had been briefed on the latest developments.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., asked Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify at a July 22 hearing. House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., also demanded answers from Mayorkas in a Sunday letter.

Green held a call with Cheatle on Sunday afternoon, according to a Homeland Security Committee GOP spokesperson, and said the majority on the panel planned to hold a member briefing on Monday.

In a separate letter to Cheatle, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., demanded answers on the security lapse at the Trump rally, including whether the Trump campaign requested additional protection and whether those resources were denied.

Gallego, a military veteran, wrote that the shooting “raises grave concerns regarding the security measures — or lack thereof — that were taken to protect a former President of the United States and a Major Presidential Candidate.”

“I call on all those responsible for the planning, approving, and executing of this failed security plan to be held accountable and to testify before Congress immediately,” Gallego wrote in the letter, obtained first by NBC News.

Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., announced in the wake of the shooting that they would propose legislation “providing President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. with enhanced Secret Service protection.”

In a notice sent by the Senate Notification Center late Saturday in the wake of the assassination attempt, Senate offices were told that Capitol Police is “not tracking any additional threats to Members.”

“Capitol Police are coordinating to provide additional support at events related to both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions,” the notice added.

House offices received a similar notice earlier that night, and members will receive a virtual security briefing on Monday afternoon, according to two people invited.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., called on the Democratic-controlled Senate Homeland Security Committee to hold an investigation on the shooting before Aug. 1 “to demand answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Secret Service on how this happened and what steps are being taken to investigate this assassination attempt and make sure it never happens again.”

Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., two members of the committee, also called for an inquiry.

“We need more details & answers about the assassination attempt against former President Trump so there can be accountability & we can ensure this never happens again. As a member of the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, I’m calling for a hearing to investigate,” Rosen said on X .

An aide to Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Gary Peters, D-Mich., said Sunday afternoon that the panel would be conducting an investigation and had requested a member briefing from DHS. The aide also said Peters would speak with Mayorkas on Sunday.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., herself a past target of political violence, said in a statement: “As one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.”

Julie Tsirkin is a correspondent covering Capitol Hill.

Sahil Kapur is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

Ali Vitali is a Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News, based in Washington.

Frank Thorp V is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the Senate.

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Secret Service Under Scrutiny After Assassination Attempt on Trump

President Biden calls for a review of the protective agency’s actions after the attack, which left an audience member dead and two critically wounded.

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By Zolan Kanno-Youngs ,  David A. Fahrenthold ,  Hamed Aleaziz and Eileen Sullivan

The reporters have covered presidential security over various administrations.

• July 14, 2024

President Biden on Sunday called for an “independent review” of security measures before and after the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump, while directing the Secret Service to review all of its security measures for the Republican National Convention this week.

Mr. Biden’s directive, though brief and without specifics, is likely to increase the scrutiny of the decisions and possible failures of the agency charged first and foremost with protecting the lives of the country’s current and former leaders, and their families.

Less than 24 hours after Mr. Trump was injured at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., members of Congress were promising hearings and former law enforcement officials were questioning why the warehouse roof where the would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., fired shots was not covered by the Secret Service’s security perimeter, despite being within the range of some guns.

Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was herded off the stage and pronounced fine, but the gunman came shockingly close to succeeding. A spectator was killed in the shooting and two others were critically wounded.

“Congress will do a full investigation of the tragedy yesterday to determine where there were lapses in security and anything else that the American people need to know and deserve to know,” Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, said Sunday on NBC.

The chair of the House oversight committee also asked the Secret Service director, Kimberly A. Cheatle, to testify at a hearing on July 22.

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Trump survives assassination attempt at campaign rally, as it unfolded

The FBI is investigating Saturday’s shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania as an attempted assassination and act of domestic terror. However authorities say, a motive has not yet been identified.

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Today’s live coverage has ended. See what you missed below and follow live election updates for July 15, 2024.

Law enforcement officials are working to learn more about the 20-year-old who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

In a briefing Sunday, FBI officials told reporters they had yet to determine what motivated the shooter to open fire from a nearby rooftop, killing one spectator and critically injuring two others before he was shot dead by the Secret Service. The FBI believes the shooter acted alone.

What to know:

• More on the shooter: The FBI named Thomas Matthew Crooks , 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect behind the apparent assassination attempt. In a briefing with reporters, FBI officials said the AR-style rifle used in the attack was legally purchased by the gunman’s father.
• Latest on the victims: The man who was killed at the rally was identified as Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief from the area who used his body to shield his family. At least two other people were injured: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania. Both were listed in stable condition as of Sunday.
• Biden delivers Oval Office address: In a prime-time national address , the president said “we must not go down” the road of political violence in America and called for unity.

Trump at the start of his rally. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Donald Trump spent much of Sunday on the phone with friends, news hosts and local and foreign officials the day after he was injured in an assassination attempt.

Ohio Pastor Darrell Scott, a longtime ally, said Trump “was in great spirits” when they spoke Sunday morning, hours after the shooting.

“He was great, like he always is. He didn’t even make a big deal of it,” Scott said. “He was actually trying to downplay it somewhat, asking how I was doing.”

Former RNC chair Reince Priebus, who also served as Trump’s White House chief of staff, told ABC’s “This Week” that Trump was “grateful for the miracle of what happened, in his case. ... One quarter inch turned the other direction and we’re obviously talking about something very different this morning.”

Within minutes of the gunfire, the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump spawned a vast sea of claims reflecting the frightening uncertainties of the moment as well as America’s fevered, polarized political climate.

Activists gathering in Milwaukee for the first day of Republican National Convention say they’ll continue their long-awaited plans for marches and rallies Monday in the wake of an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. (AP video by Nathan Ellegren)

Associated Press journalists recall the scene when a shooter fired at former President Donald Trump during a rally.

Tony Perkins, among the most influential Christian conservatives in the Republican Party, was preparing to mount a confrontation with convention planners over his disdain for how debate during the RNC’s platform committee was shut down on Monday, all but eliminating objections to the Trump campaign’s desire to soften language on abortion.

The attempted assassination changed all that, Perkins told The Associated Press after a prayer service in suburban Milwaukee Sunday evening.

“We live in a violent society. And we run the risk of becoming callous to it. And if we become callous to it, we’re going to have more of it,” Perkins said. “I’m hoping and praying it’s a wake-up call in many ways.”

“So, as a result, I’m stepping back from forcing the issue on the platform,” he added. “More divisiveness would not be healthy.”

Perkins called social media “a contagion” for toxic rhetoric passed along by people who do not feel that they’re heard by their government or leaders, and attributed the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol in part to the notion of overheated online rage.

“We need to stop,” he said.

And while thanking God during the service for Trump’s survival, Perkins told more than 100 in the Pewaukee church, “Lord, I believe that our nation is at such a volatile moment that yesterday could have torn this nation right in half.”

This 2021 photo provided by Bethel Park School District shows student Thomas Matthew Crooks who graduated from Bethel Park High School with the Class of 2022, in Bethel Park, Pa. (Bethel Park School District via AP)

The 20-year-old man who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump first came to law enforcement’s attention at Saturday’s rally when spectators noticed him acting strangely outside the campaign event. The tip sparked a frantic search, but officers were unable to find him before he managed to get on a roof, where he opened fire.

In the wake of the shooting that killed one spectator, investigators are hunting for any clues about what may have drove Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to carry out the shocking attack. The FBI said they were investigating it as a potential act of domestic terrorism , but the absence of a clear ideological motive by the man shot dead by Secret Service allowed conspiracy theories to flourish.

The FBI said it believes Crooks, who had bomb-making materials in the car he drove to the rally, acted alone. Investigators have found no threatening comments on social media accounts or ideological positions that could help explain what led him to target Trump.

Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. His senior year, Crooks was among several students given an award for math and science, according to a Tribune-Review story at the time.

He tried out for the school’s rifle team but was turned away because he was a bad shooter, said Frederick Mach, a current captain of the team who was a few years behind Crooks at the school.

Jason Kohler, who said he attended the same high school but did not share any classes with Crooks, said Crooks was bullied at school and sat alone at lunch time. Other students mocked him for the clothes he wore, which included hunting outfits, Kohler said.

▶ Read more about what’s known about the shooter

Former President Donald Trump told The Washington Examiner that he has rewritten the speech he was set to deliver at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday after being the target of an attempted assassination at his rally Saturday.

“The speech I was going to give on Thursday was going to be a humdinger,” he told the news outlet in an article posted Sunday evening.

In the interview, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee says he will now call for a new effort at national unity, noting that people from different political views have called him.

“This is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together. The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would’ve been two days ago,” he said.

Trump also reflected on the moment a bullet pierced the upper part of his right ear. He said he was saved from death because he turned from the crowd to look at a screen showing off a chart he was referring to.

“That reality is just setting in,” he told the news outlet as he boarded his plane in Bedminster, New Jersey, for Milwaukee. “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?”

Former Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy was shot on the day there was an attempt to assassinate former President Ronald Reagan. As he watched the shooting at the Trump rally unfold on Saturday he noticed similar failures in the attempts to protect the president.

The former fire chief who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump is remembered by his colleagues as a man who served his community. (AP Video/Jessie Wardarski)

A classmate of Thomas Matthew Crooks, suspected of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, said the 20-year-old suspect was frequently bullied and sat alone at lunch time at their high school in Bethel Park, Penn. (AP Video/Terry Chea)

As seen from a window from the Colonnade outside the Oval Office, President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Biden says that during the Republican National Convention, he has “no doubt” Republicans will “criticize my record and offer their own vision for this country.” But he promised in campaigning to lay out “our vision.”

He used the address to urge all Americans not to accept an escalation in political violence as normal.

“We debate and disagree, we compare and contrast ... but in America we resolve our differences at the ballot box,” Biden said in his address.

He added: “Politics must never be a literal battlefield. God forbid a killing field.”

Biden spoke for about five minutes from the Oval Office and noted that the Republican National Convention was opening in Milwaukee on Monday, while he himself would be traveling the country to campaign for reelection.

He said passions would run high on both sides and that the stakes of the election were enormous.

But the president added, “it’s time to cool it down” and noted not just the weekend attack on Trump but also the possibility of election-year violence on multiple fronts.

President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 14, 2024, about the assassination attempt of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

President Joe Biden says “we can’t, we must not go down” the road of political violence in American after Saturday’s attempted Trump assassination.

In a prime-time national address, Biden said that political passions can run high but “we must never descend into violence.”

“We can do this,” Biden implored, saying the nation was founded on a democracy that gave reason and balance a chance to prevail over brute force. “American democracy — where arguments are made in good faith. American democracy where the rule of law is respected. Where decency, dignity, fair play aren’t just quaint notions, they’re living, breathing realities.”

The president is planning to deliver extended remarks to the nation in an address from the Oval Office starting at 8 p.m. EDT.

His campaign said the president would touch on “the need for every American to come together” to end political violence in the U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with former President Trump on Sunday.

“The Prime Minister condemned yesterday’s appalling assassination attempt and reiterated there’s no place for political violence. The Prime Minister wished the former President well and offered condolences to the shooting victims and to the family of Corey Comperatore,” Trudeau’s office said in a statement.

A motorcade passes through downtown Milwaukee, July 14, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The former president said earlier Sunday that he was going to delay his trip because of the attempted assassination, but then decided he didn’t want it to force a change in his schedule.

Trump is not expected to speak at the RNC until Thursday night.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson says one of his staff members is no longer employed after he learned of a post she made on social media.

Screenshots of her apparent Facebook post, which was related to the attempted assassination of Trump, circulated on social media after the shooting.

The screenshots showed a post in which the staffer appeared to say she does not condone violence but suggested the shooter should get “shooting lessons” and should not have missed.

The AP was not able to view the user’s private Facebook profile to identify whether the post was still up.

A general view during rehearsals at the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 14, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is asking officials to revisit a prior decision that allows people to bring guns within blocks of the Republican National Convention after an assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on Sunday.

Evers believes additional steps need to be taken to keep the convention’s attendees, law enforcement and the local community safe, the person said. The person could not discuss details of the request publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The request was made to the U.S. Secret Service, which would bring it to the Republican National Committee, the person said.

The Secret Service said at a news conference Sunday that they were confident in their existing security plan and hadn’t made any changes following the shooting.

Trump 2024 flag is raised outside of Trump Tower, Sunday, July 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

The cloudburst of speculation and conjecture as Americans turned to the internet for news about the Trump rally shooting is the latest sign of how social media has emerged as a dominant source of information — and misinformation — for many, and a contributor to the distrust and turbulence now driving American politics.

Mentions of Trump on social media soared up to 17 times the average daily amount in the hours after the shooting, according to PeakMetrics, a cyber firm that tracks online narratives. Many of those mentions were expressions of sympathy for Trump or calls for unity. But many others made unfounded, fantastical claims.

“We saw things like ‘The Chinese were behind it,’ or ‘Antifa was behind it,’ or ‘the Biden administration did it.’ We also saw a claim that the RNC was behind it,’” said Paul Bartel, senior intelligence analyst at PeakMetrics. “Everyone is just speculating. No one really knows what’s going on. They go online to try to figure it out.”

▶ Take a look at some of the unsubstantiated claims that surfaced online following the shooting

Helmets rest on the locker of firefighter Corey Comperatore at the Buffalo Township Fire Company 27 in Buffalo Township, Pa., Sunday, July 14, 2024. Comperatore was killed during a shooting at a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., on Saturday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Logan Check, left, junior firefighter, and Randy Reamer, right, president and rescue captain at the Buffalo Township Fire Company 27, hang bunting on the fire station in memory of fellow firefighter Corey Comperatore, in Buffalo Township, Pa., Sunday, July 14, 2024. Comperatore was killed during a shooting at a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., on Saturday. The flag at the station house flies at half staff at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

An automobile license plate at the Buffalo Township Fire Company 27 is wrapped in black bunting in Buffalo Township, Pa., Sunday, July 14, 2024. Firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed during a shooting at a campaign rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., on Saturday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Corey Comperatore’s quick decision to use his body as a shield against the bullets flying toward his wife and daughter rang true to the close friends and neighbors, who loved and respected the proud 50-year-old Trump supporter.

“He’s a literal hero,” said Mike Morehouse, who lived next to Comperatore for the last eight years.

At least two other people were injured at the rally: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. Both were listed in stable condition as of Sunday.

▶ Read more on the Trump rally shooting victims

The assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump has parallels to the last time a president or presidential candidate was wounded — in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was nearly killed by an assailant’s bullet.

People near where the Republican National Convention is taking place in Milwaukee are reacting to the attempted assassination of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. (AP video: Carrie Antlfinger)

The shooter at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was able to get astonishingly close to the stage where the former president was speaking, according to an AP analysis of more than a dozen photos and videos from the scene, as well as satellite imagery of the site.

Here’s some of the key moments in the timeline of the shooting:

6:02 p.m. EDT

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

— Trump takes the stage to the strains of “God Bless the U.S.A.” He waves at the cheering crowd and begins his regular rally speech, with spectators both in front of him and behind him on risers.

Around 6:10 p.m.

— After rally-goers notice a man climbing on the top of the roof of a nearby building, a local law enforcement officer climbs to the roof, according to two law enforcement officials.

— A man identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks points his rifle at the officer, who retreats down the ladder, the officials said.

— Crooks then quickly fires, according to the officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

— As the first pop rings out, Trump says, “Oh.” He raises his hand to his right ear and looks at it before quickly crouching to the ground behind his lectern.

— Secret Service agents rush to the stage and pile atop the former president to shield him.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

— Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former fire chief attending the rally, is shot and killed. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Sunday that Comperatore used his body as a shield to protect his wife and daughter.

— Secret Service counter snipers fire back and shoot Crooks.

About 1 minute after the shots

— Video shows Trump getting to his feet and reaching with his right hand toward his face, which was smeared with blood. As Trump stands up, he pumps to the crowd with his right fist.

— Secret Service says “the former president is safe.”

▶ Read the full timeline of the assassination attempt on Trump

Michael Hensle, left, the FBI Milwaukee office’s special agent in charge, and Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service’s Republican National Convention coordinator, attend a news conference in Milwaukee, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a rally Saturday did not prompt any changes to the U.S. Secret Service’s security plan for the Republican National Convention that starts Monday, said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service’s coordinator for the convention, at a press briefing Sunday.

“We are fully prepared and have a comprehensive security plan in place and are ready to go,” Gibson-Cicchino said.

A United States Secret Service officer moves barricades outside the Fiserv Forum ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention, July 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The FBI has seen no known “specific and articulated threats” against the Republican National Convention or anyone attending the event, said Michael Hensle, the FBI special agent in charge of the agency’s Milwaukee field office

The FBI is the lead intelligence agency for the RNC.

A motorcade with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

People watch from the side of the road as a motorcade, presumably transporting Donald Trump to the airport, passes by in Bedminster, N.J., Sunday, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

In a post shared on social media, Trump campaign adviser Dan Scavino said the former president was “so grateful for all of your prayers, support and well wishes” as he heads to Milwuakee for the Republican National Convention.

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating how a gunman armed with an AR-style rifle was able to get close enough to shoot and injure former President Donald Trump at a rally Saturday in Pennsylvania, a monumental failure of one of the agency’s core duties.

FILE - Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks in Washington, May 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley will speak Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in what will be a highly anticipated speech by former President Donald Trump’s last major challenger in this year’s GOP primary.

Haley, who was also elected twice as South Carolina governor, initially was not among the list of speakers but has since been added to the schedule, according to Haley spokesperson Chaney Denton.

The schedule change was confirmed by a Republican official who is familiar with the convention plans but was not authorized to speak publicly.

▶ Read more about Haley’s scheduled RNC appearance

The shooter’s family is cooperating with federal investigators, according to an FBI official.

Relatives of Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, have not returned multiple messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters that the Justice Department has “no tolerance for such violence and as Americans we must have no tolerance for it.”

“This must stop,” he said.

FBI Director Christopher Wray says authorities “will leave no stone unturned” in their investigation of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

In a call with reporters Sunday, Wray called the shooting an “attack on democracy and our democratic process.”

“An attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate can only be described as absolutely despicable and will not be tolerated in this country,” Wray said.

The FBI says they believe the AR-style rifle the Trump rally shooter used was legally purchased by the gunman’s father.

Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office, told reporters that authorities don’t yet know how the shooter gained access to the weapon, and whether he took it without his father’s knowledge.

“These are facts that we’ll flesh out as we conduct interviews,” Rojek said. Authorities recovered the weapon at the scene of the shooting.

FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate says threatening online rhetoric has been “ticking up” since the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

He says people are going online to pose as the shooter, who was killed by U.S. Secret Service.

Abbate says they are aware of the increased activity and monitoring it closely.

FBI officials say they believe the Trump rally shooter acted alone.

They have not yet identified an ideology, but they are combing through his social media feeds and the shooter’s weapons. So far, they have not found any threatening writing or social media posts.

FBI officials said they have located a suspicious device and defused it. They have received more than 2,000 tips.

The FBI says it is investigating the Trump rally shooting as an attempted assassination and also an act of domestic terrorism.

The gunman was not previously on the radar screen of the FBI. He’s believed to have acted alone.

The FBI defines domestic terrorism as acts inside the U.S. that are intended to intimidate or coerce civilians or influence government policy.

Helmets rest on the locker of firefighter Corey Comperatore at the Buffalo Township Fire Company 27 in Buffalo Township, Pa., July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

A crew was power-washing the front of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday with plans to install memorial drapery to honor the slain former chief, Corey Comperatore.

Assistant Chief Ricky Heasley of Sarver, who knew Comperatore for more than a decade, remembers him as very outgoing and full of life.

“He never had a bad word,” Heasley said.

A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $180,000 in donations as of Sunday.

▶ Read more on what’s known about the Trump rally shooting victim

The Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman choked up Sunday while talking about the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump ahead of the party’s convention in Milwaukee. (AP video by Carrie Antlfinger)

President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 14, 2024, about the apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Listening are Vice President Kamala Harris and Attorney General Merrick Garland. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden extend their “deepest condolences” to the family of the man who was killed in the assassination attempt on Trump.

The president said Corey Comperatore was protecting him family from the bullets that were being fired “and he lost his life.” “God love him,” Biden said.

Trump posted a brief message on social media after Biden spoke, saying ‘UNITE AMERICA!’

Not long before shots rang out, rally goers noticed a man climbing to the top of a roof of a nearby building and warned local law enforcement, according to two law enforcement officials.

One officer climbed to the roof and encountered Crooks, who pointed his rifle at the officer. The officer retreated down the ladder and Crooks quickly took a shot toward former President Donald Trump, and that’s when the U.S. Secret Service counter snipers shot him, said the officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Former President Donald Trump says he’ll travel to Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon ahead of the Republican National Convention.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he was going to delay his trip after Saturday’s apparent assassination attempt, but decided he cannot “allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else.”

President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 14, 2024, about the apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Biden said he’s directed an independent review of the security at the rally Saturday where a gunman apparently tried to assassinate Donald Trump.

Biden said he has also directed the U.S. Secret Service to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention which begins Monday in Milwaukee.

Biden urged Americans not to make assumptions about the motive of the shooter, who was killed by U.S. Secret Service. He says they’re working swiftly to investigate the incident.

“Unity is the most elusive goal of all,” he added, while urging the public to strive for it.

President Joe Biden says he’ll address the nation from the Oval Office on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. following the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump at a political rally.

Biden spoke briefly Sunday afternoon saying he and Jill Biden were praying for the family of the person killed at the rally and that he was sincerely grateful that Trump is “doing well and recovering.”

Biden says: “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence, or any violence for that matter.”

An NBC News interview between President Joe Biden and anchor Lester Holt on Monday will now occur at the White House, the network said Sunday.

Initially, the interview was scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas, but the White House announced earlier Sunday that Biden’s trip there has been postponed in the wake of the shooting at a rally for former President Donald Trump.

In this image provided by the White House, President Joe Biden, center, and Vice President Kamala Harris, fourth from left, are briefed by national security advisers and members of law enforcement agencies on the apparent assassination attempt Saturday on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., in the White House Situation Room in Washington, Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Adam Schultz/The White House via AP)