Total newbie question: rules for submissions?

Welcome Zef!

Your best bet would be to start with submission guidelines for the publication you're interested in. They vary a LOT. Some take electronic submissions, some don't. They also vary in what they want to see in a cover letter. I like to keep the letter as short as possible and let the story speak for itself.

How to format the ms depends on how you're submitting it, too. The submission guidelines should tell you what they prefer.

Good luck!

Cover & format

I agree with Rich. If you have something worth saying in a cover letter, fine, say it. If not, forget the cover letter. Editors buy stories and articles, not cover letters. I've sold stories to top magazines with cover letters, and I've sold stories to top magazines without cover letters.

My only use for a cover letter now is to list two or three of my biggest sales just to make sure a first reader passes the story or article along to the main editor.

Before that I usually just submitted the story or article, and no editor ever complained.

As for format, it's easier to show than to tell. Go here: http://www.shunn.net/format/story.html