Notes

10 Steps to a Magazine Query
Introduction

There are two ways to submit to magazine editors.

One is to send the finished article without it being requested. That is known as an unsolicited manuscript. Most editors dislike reading lengthy manuscripts, and several magazines specify they do not accept unsolicited manuscripts which, when received, are consigned to what's called the 'slush pile' and seldom get read.

Another, more productive way, to submit to magazines would be to send a query letter, w here you pitch your idea to the editor before actually writing the article.

A query letter is a sales page: your goal is to convince the editor that your article idea is of interest to her readers and that you will be the best person to write it.

Query letters save everybody time. In the time that would took you to write a complete article, you can write a few query letters which may result in several assignment. Query letters save editors' time because they need not read lengthy manuscripts which might not be ideal for their magazines.

Query letters better your chances of dealing with the magazine you need to write for. Editors are usually reluctant to require a rewrite or suggest substantial changes to a finished piece. Query letters, on the other hand, make it easy for editors to offer suggestions to a proposed idea.

Even though your idea isn't quite suitable for the magazine, the editor may just like the way you've presented your idea and yourself and could still be interested in working with you on another assignment.

I hope by now you're convinced that query letters are essential to breaking into the writing industry, particularly if you are just starting out. So it's well worth the time and effort to compose an irresistible letter that makes the editor want to see more of your writing.

Your query letter is not the only one the editor will dsicover, so you should do your best to make yours stand out from the crowd and get noticed. A single query letter could make or break your success as a writer. Editors remember names. Make certain they remember yours in a confident way.

If your query letter is professionally written and attention-grabbing, even if your idea is probably not quite right, the editor will mentally clock your name. If your query is accepted, and you also complete your assignment with a well-written, well-researched and error-free article, she'll remember you a lot more. And your next query will undoubtedly be viewed in a more favourable light. Which means that a good query is often the beginning of a long-standing relationship between you and the editor.

In the event that you send an unprofessional, poorly-written query, suggesting ideas which do not fit the magazine, the editor will remember you, too. But now she remembers you in a negative way. Next time you send her a query, she might just quickly look into it and put it in the bin. You might be closing the door compared to that magazine forever by sending a single bad query. You don't desire to take that risk?

Nothing is guaranteed in life. A good perfect query letter does not guarantee an assignment. But if you following the 10 steps outlined in this book, you'll stand a much better chance of producing a professional query letter that gets read and gets assignments.

Note: To avoid cumbersome writing such as for example he/she and his/her, I've taken the liberty to make reference to an editor as a 'she'.

Step 1 1: Obtain the name right

When you get a letter addressing you as 'Dear Customer' or 'Dear Home Owner', do you have the letter is talking to you directly?

Exactly.

It reads like junk mail that has been sent to millions of other people, doesn't it? In the event that you send an editor a letter addressing her as 'Dear Editor' or 'Dear Sir / Madam', she'll get the impression that very little time and effort has gone into the query, and she'd be right.

If there's one thing all freelance writers ought to know, it is that your article should be targeted specifically for a particular magazine. To ensure that your article to squeeze in with the style and tone of the magazine, the editor will expect you to have read several issues of the publication.

A query letter you start with 'Dear Sir' tells the editor you have not taken enough time to analyze the publication. If you haven't browse the magazine, you won't know anything about the audience. And if you don't know who the audience is, how can the editor trust you to deliver an article that's suited to the magazine? So, in the event that you only do a very important factor to create your query stand an improved chance of success, get the editor's name.

Larger publications frequently have different editors for different sections, and it's really vital that you send your query to the right person. When a features editor receives a brief story, she may not have the time or inclination to forward it to the short story editor, as well as your query will undoubtedly be unread. So take the time to learn if you should send your query to somebody apart from the main editor. You can usually find all the details you need in the masthead.

If you don't desire to spend money buying every magazine you intend to write for, go to a large newsagent or the library and appearance up the names there at leisure. Another way is to ring up the editorial office and ask the secretary.

Bear in mind that magazine personnel changes regularly, so check that the name continues to be valid every time you send a query letter.

Ensure you spell the editor's name correctly. Some editors are mad about having their names spelt wrong. Besides, if you cannot get the details of her name right, why should she trust one to get the information on the article right?

It is acceptable to handle the editor simply as 'Dear John Doe' or 'Dear Jane Doe' instead of 'Dear Mr Doe' or 'Dear Ms Doe'. Nowadays it isn't always possible to tell someone's gender by his / her name. In the case of women editor, it is particularly difficult to see if she is a Miss, Ms or Mrs.

Step 2 2: Know your audience

Imagine this scenario:

You are a 35-year-old career woman. You subscribe to a magazine called 'Women Today'. You like the magazine because you feel that it attracts women as if you. It addresses the needs of those who have to juggle between their roles as career women, wives and mothers. It offers fashion tips for the age group and advice for busy parents. In addition, it comes with an inspirational short story in each issue.

Now image this:

By the end of a busy day, after the children have gone to bed and all of the dishes have already been done, you open your 'Women Today' and appearance forward to a good read, only to discover that the magazine is now full of beauty tips for teenage girls; news about pop bands; advice on what to do on a first date; and the short story is gone.

You'd be forgiven for convinced that you've brought the wrong magazine, and you'll stop buying it from now on and look for a different one to fill the void.

Driving readers away is the last thing editors wish to accomplish. That's why most magazines adhere to a tried-and-trusted formula that suits the targeted readers.

The moral of the story is that there is absolutely no point in submitting the incorrect type of article ideas to editors. Your article may be beautifully written, well-researched and error free, but whether it's about teenage pregnancy then it's not going to get printed in a magazine for the over-50s.

Likewise, article ideas about enjoying one's life in retirement are unlikely to be accepted by editors of magazines targeted at teenagers. Your ideas must be right for the magazines you're sending your queries to.

You should read at the very least two issues of the magazine to access know the tone, style and the common amount of the articles. Again, work with a library or a large newsagent if you need to.

Don't forget to look at the advertisements, which will let you know a lot about the magazine's intended audience. An article about trendy wine bars is unlikely to be of interest to a magazine advertising stair lifts.

Reading the magazine will also ensure that you are not trying to pitch a concept which has appeared in a recent issue.

Many magazines now publish their submission guidelines on the websites, so check these out first to get an idea concerning the kind of articles they need. If you can't find guidelines on the website, write to the editorial office having an SAE requesting writer's guidelines. Most magazines will be happy to send you a copy.

The bottom line is, editors only print what their readers want to read. So if you have an idea that attracts a magazine's audience, it will also appeal to the editor. And the only way to discover what the readers want is to browse the magazine yourself.

Step three 3: A grand opening

Make your opening sentence do the job. Ensure it is attention-grabbing and make it a masterpiece. Editors are busy people and you also have about 30 seconds to get their attention. If you begin your query with a boring statement, she'll simply scan through your letter and get to another one. Don't give her any excuse to avoid reading your letter. Present your idea as early in the letter as possible.

Your first sentence is definitely an intriguing question, a fascinating fact, a quote from someone you interviewed, an anecdote, a statistic, a riddle or a joke appropriate to your idea.

Don't ever begin your letter with:

'Although I have never been published before ...'

'I'm new to writing but ...'

'My mother thinks I will submit this short article idea ...'

You obtain the drift. Comments like these scream amateurism. No editors desire to work with amateurs.

Step 4 4: Get to the point quickly

Don't over-stay your welcome by waffling on about inappropriate personal details. Editors are not interested in the fact that you struggle to find time and energy to write as a mother-of-two, for example.

Explain to the editor why your article idea is exclusive and how it is of interest to her and her readers. Include a provisional opening paragraph when possible, but only if you think it'll grab the editor's attention and make her want to know what comes next. Say the way you will get the info required to write this article; for instance, by interviewing experts on this issue.

If you haven't caused the editor before, include brief information regarding yourself. Assuming you have special qualifications to create about this particular article, be sure you let her know. For instance, for those who have a science degree as well as your article idea is approximately making science interesting to everyone, then say so.

Indicate how long your article will be. Make sure this is based on the average length of similar articles in the magazine. Make it clear to the editor that the length can be varied to suit her needs.

Make your query a single A4 page. If you can't condense your idea on one page, it is advisable to focus on it more to obtain it more focused.

Don't include several idea in a query. The only real exception is when you're sending fillers. Even then it ought to be no more than 2 pages. Number your fillers clearly.

Step 5: Be professional

Professionalism may be the key to success. The caliber of your writing is needless to say important, but so may be the image you project as a professional writer.

Be businesslike. You could be feeling despondent about having received five rejections in a week, but don't spill your emotions. At this point, an editor is a potential client, not just a personal friend, although she may become so once you have worked with her frequently.

When you can afford it, get yourself a professional-looking letterhead designed and printed at a printer. It need not be too expensive. If you own a laser printer, you can design a simple, elegant letterhead yourself on your pc. Make it minimal. Don't make an effort to use all of the available fonts and colours in your word processor, and resist the temptation to add silly clip-arts in your letterhead. To be able to include graphics, get a logo designed professionally.

Include essential details such as your name, postal and email addresses, telephone and fax number.

Don't expect the editor to cover return postage. To be able to get a reply, you need to include an SAE.

Editors want articles which are well-researched and error-free. If you query is full of mistakes, editors will doubt your capability to produce high-quality articles.

Don't rely on spell-checkers solely. Read your query letters aloud; this makes it easier to spot spelling and grammatical errors. Get a friend or relative to proof-read your queries. Don't send them out if you don't know they're error-free.

Step 6: Be focused

It is probably true that everything has been written about at least once. Your task is to find a new angle. Are you experiencing something not used to say about your topic? Or can you say something that's recently been said in a new way?

Don't write to an editor suggesting you want to write an article about cooking or dyslexia. That is too generic. On the other hand, queries entitled 'Quick Mouth-watering Recipes for Busy Mums' or '10 tell-tale signs of dyslexia in children' are focused.

Editors like ideas that are focused because they can picture how and where the finished articles will fit into their magazines. Make your query focused and editors will love you.

Many magazines have regular sections. When you can indicate to the editor which portion of the magazine your article will match then all of the better. This tells the editor you have studied the magazine, that will put your in her favour.

Step 7: Mail or email, but no phone

Before you send out your query, check that your submission method is correct. Some magazines will not look at email queries, others insist on them. Usually do not query by telephone unless you have worked with an editor on several occasions and are sure that she doesn't mind.

Sending your query via the incorrect method once again shows the editor you have not spent time studying their publications and guidelines. This can put you on the blacklist and jeopardise likelihood of acceptance of one's future queries.

If you are querying by email, it is advisable to paste your query in to the body of the email, rather than sending it as an attached document. This is due to attachments are notorious for spreading computer viruses, and editors who've not worked with you before will undoubtedly be unlikely to open an attachment from an unknown source.

Emails are great for keeping touching friends and family, and we often adopt an informal tone in emails. When you email an editor, however, write it as you would a formal letter. Resist the temptation to utilize smilies (? ?) or abbreviations commonly used on the internet. Don't over-use punctuation marks, like this!!!!!!! AND DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IN YOUR EMAIL. IT CREATES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ.

I'd also advice against putting the word 'Query' in the subject line of your email. Editors are busy people. On a day when she is inundated with emails and letters, and confronted with a deadline two days away, she may respond to that 'oh no another query' by deleting it without reading it.

Step 8: Clips, or no clips

If you're a published writer, include a couple of your very best clips with the query, but only when the clips are appropriate to the theory you're proposing. There's little point in sending a clip on local history if your question is about fine wines.

If you've never been published before, don't draw the editor's focus on the fact. If the only real places you've been published are local church newsletters or obscure websites with dubious reputation, it's best not to mention them. It's much better to simply present yourself in a professional manner in your query letter. If you act like a pro, the editor will assume you're a pro and can treat you as you. Let your irresistible query letter and its professionalism speak for you personally.

Step 9: Learn from your rejections

It's waiting time once you've sent your query off. Unfortunately editors are busy people and the waiting time can range between a week to three months.

If you haven't heard from the editor in a month, abide by it up with a polite letter or email. In the event that you still haven't heard anything after 90 days, assume it's a rejection and move ahead.

For new writers, rejections can be soul-destroying. Just while you are feeling well informed about your writing, along comes a rejection letter, leaving you in doubt concerning whether you are sufficient to be a writer.

It is critical to realise that getting rejections is part of a successful writer's life. This means that you're making contact with the publishing world. Don't let rejections stop you from sending out more queries. Be persistent, be professional and you will get published.

While you must do not let the rejection get you down, you should spend time analysing why your last query have not produced a confident response before re-submitting it to some other magazine. Was it appropriate to the publication? Did you start your query having an attention-grabber? Did you send it to the proper person? Did you send it in the post when the magazine insists on email submissions (or vice versa)? Did you include enough information for the editor to make a decision? Did you include an SAE?

Every rejection is one step forward in your writing career. Learn from them and utilize them to make your next query better.

Step 10: Give it 100%

Some writers, especially new writers, argue that they ought to be spending their time writing 'something proper' instead of writing query letters. The trouble is, unless you write query letters, your 'proper writing' may never be published and be read.

A query letter is a sales letter. To the editor, it really is an indication of the quality and style of your writing. If she actually is impressed with what she reads in your query, she'll trust your ability to write the finished article.

Don't ever dismiss writing queries as a waste of time. To a writer, nothing written is ever wasted. Think about it as the gateway to your success as a freelance writer. Follow the steps outlined in this book and present it 100% each time you write a query letter. Now all you have to are good ideas. But that's another story.

Happy writing!

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Appendix:

1. How not to write a query letter

[No Date]

[Do return address and contact details]

ABC Magazine

123 High Street

Another Town

Dear Mrs Smith

I have never written to an editor before, but I've a wonderful article idea about horses. I started riding since i have was a child, therefore i thought I could write an article for your magazine about horses.

I haven't read your magazine but a pal suggested I should write to you to see if you'd be interested in my idea. I've written a few items for the neighborhood community newsletter and my family and friends think my writing is not bad.

Please let me know immediately if you are thinking about my idea. I'll offer you a call next week to go over the details.

Emma Johnson

[no SAE enclosed]

2. Example of a professional query letter

[Professional letterhead, or clearly printed contact details]

20 October 2002

Anne Smith

ABC Magazine

123 High Street

Another Town

Dear Anne Smith

What.. what.. should a pa.. pa.. parent do if.. if.. if.. a kid st.. started stammering?

Many would simply keep their fingers crossed and hope that the child would 'grow out of it'. However, research shows that while most children do outgrow this problem, some will establish persistent stammering into later life.

Stammering usually begins between your ages 2 and 5, and early intervention is essential in preventing it from developing into a chronic problem. I am confident that your readers, a lot of whom are parents of 2- to 5-year-olds, will be interested in a 1000-word article entitled 'Help! My Child Has Started Stammering'. This article will be a fantastic fit for the Toddler Development section in your magazine.

I'm a speech therapist and also have caused children who stammer. get more info will also interview two experts in this field to add the most recent findings on childhood stammering.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my idea. I enclose an SAE for your response.

Yours sincerely

Emma Johnson

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