How To Write Query Letters To Magazine Publishers

[YvetteJ]

Queries To Publishers

Read as many copies of the magazine you want to write for as possible. This is called learning your market. You'll have to prove to the editor that you can write for his or her target audience and the best way to learn how to do this is through research. Take note of the publication's different departments, columns, and fillers. You will be more likely to get an editor's attention if you pitch an idea that perfectly fits an existing page. New freelancers often break in with a small blurb in the front of a magazine rather than a 5,000-word cover feature.

Write a query letter. This is the most important part of the process -- actually contacting the editor you'd like to work for. The query letter should have four parts:

1. Start off the letter by grabbing the reader's attention. All magazine articles begin with a compelling sentence or paragraph, and your query should do the same thing. Do not say, "My name is ______ and I want to write for your magazine."

2. Show the editor why your article idea is important for readers. This paragraph can discuss current issues surrounding your subject, give a quote from an expert, and mention other significant reasons the magazine must publish your story ASAP.

3. Give the editor the nuts and bolts of how you will write the story. How many words? What will it include? What experts will you be contacting for their input? Will you provide sidebars, photos, etc.? Reveal exactly how you will approach the piece.

4. Finally, list your qualifications as a writer. This is where you'll want to mention previous work and experiences that make you uniquely suited to write the piece. Don't hold back, you must brag! Tell the editor everything you think will help your case. If your previous (or current) career is linked to the pitch, mention it.

Put these four paragraphs on a one-page letter with your letterhead containing contact information. Enclose three or four appropriate clips and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail the whole package, and then be patient. Editors often take up to three months to respond to query letters.

Send it to the right person. An essential part of getting published is getting your query letter into the right hands at the magazine you want to write for.

It never hurts to call a magazine just to ensure that so-and-so is still the senior articles editor, for example. Just don't try to pitch your idea over the phone.

Once you get an assignment, finish it on time and use your momentum to get other work. If you did not have to sell all the rights, try to reprint the piece in a non-competing market after about six months. This way, you can get paid two, three, or four times for the same work. Always sell as few rights as possible, but don't worry about it too much when you're just starting out.

[webturtle]

Sounds like good advice.

Since you brought it up - Would you happen to know what the typical turn around is for a major market, assuming all these things were done - how long I would need to wait to get a response? I sent one a while back and I'm sure it went to the right person and was written correctly - but now waiting - and if they say no, I'd like to try the idea elsewhere but figure I need to wait. Is it usually weeks? Months?

Thanks

[YvetteJ]

[webturtle]

[YvetteJ]

[webturtle]

[Yvette]

[YvetteJ]

[webturtle]