It would be good if they stated whether or not the manuscript needed to be returned if rejected. An initial screening and a final screening are done by a panel of readers. A brief, factual cover letter is appreciated. Our staff reads all submissions, but I personally read only what they like enough to pass on. We publish less than one percent of the poetry and fiction we get, and we make our final cuts with great care.
Food is crucial, shelter and love.
We like factual cover letters that contain a hint of personality. We hate smart-ass letters. I screen all poetry manuscripts. A co-editor screens all fiction manuscripts. All those manuscripts we feel are worthy of further consideration are then rated by my two co-editors, after which I make a final decision.