by Mui Tsun
Introduction
There are two ways to submit to magazine editors.
One
is to send the finished article without it being requested. This is
referred to as an unsolicited manuscript. Most editors dislike reading
lengthy manuscripts, and many magazines specify that 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 is to send a query letter, in
which you pitch your idea to the editor before actually writing the
article.
A query letter is a sales pitch: your goal is to
convince the editor that your article idea is of interest to her
readers and that you are the best person to write it.
Query
letters save everybody time. In the time that would have taken you to
write a full article, you can write a few query letters which may
result in more than one assignment. Query letters save editors' time
because they don't have to read lengthy manuscripts which may not be
suitable for their magazines.
Query letters better your chances
of working with the magazine you want to write for. Editors are usually
reluctant to ask for 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 if your
idea is not quite suitable for the magazine, the editor may like the
way you've presented your idea and yourself and may still be interested
in working with you on a different assignment.
I hope by now you
are convinced that query letters are essential to breaking into the
writing industry, especially 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 see, so you must do your best to make
yours stand out from the crowd and get noticed. A single query letter
can make or break your success as a writer. Editors remember names.
Make sure they remember yours in a positive way.
If your query
letter is professionally written and attention-grabbing, even if your
idea may not be quite right, the editor will mentally clock your name.
If your query is accepted, and you complete your assignment with a
well-written, well-researched and error-free article, she'll remember
you even more. And your next query will be viewed in a more favourable
light. This means that a good query is often the beginning of a
long-standing relationship between you and the editor.
If 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. The next time you send her a query,
she may just quickly glance at it and put it in the bin. You may be
closing the door to that magazine forever by sending a single bad
query. Do you really want to take that risk?
Nothing is
guaranteed in life. Even a perfect query letter does not guarantee an
assignment. But if you following the 10 steps outlined in this book,
you will stand a much better chance of producing a professional query
letter that gets read and gets assignments.
Note: To avoid cumbersome writing such as he/she and his/her, I have taken the liberty to refer to an editor as a 'she'.
Step 1: Get the name right.
When
you receive a letter addressing you as 'Dear Customer' or 'Dear Home
Owner', do you feel 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? If you send an editor a letter addressing her as 'Dear
Editor' or 'Dear Sir / Madam', she will get the impression that not
much time and effort has gone into the query, and she'd be right.
If
there's one thing all freelance writers should know, it is that your
article must be targeted specifically for a particular magazine. In
order for your article to fit in with the style and tone of the
magazine, the editor will expect you to have read a few issues of the
publication.
A query letter beginning with 'Dear Sir' tells the
editor that you have not taken the time to research the publication. If
you haven't read 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 is suited to the magazine? So, if
you only do one thing to make your query stand a better chance of
success, get the editor's name.
Larger publications often have
different editors for different sections, and it's important to send
your query to the right person. When a features editor receives a short
story, she may not have the time or inclination to forward it to the
short story editor, and your query will be unread. So take some time to
find out if you need to send your query to somebody other than the main
editor. You can usually find all the information you need in the
masthead.
If you don't want to spend money buying every magazine
you want to write for, go to a large newsagent or the library and look
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 is still valid
every time you send a query letter.
Make sure you spell the
editor's name correctly. Some editors are mad about having their names
spelt wrong. Besides, if you can't get the details of her name right,
why should she trust you to get the details of the article right?
It
is acceptable to address the editor simply as 'Dear John Doe' or 'Dear
Jane Doe' rather than 'Dear Mr Doe' or 'Dear Ms Doe'. Nowadays it's not
always possible to tell someone's gender by his or her name. In the
case of women editor, it is particularly difficult to ascertain if she
is a Miss, Ms or Mrs.
Step 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 caters
for women like 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 your age group and good advice for busy parents. It
also has an inspirational short story in each issue.
Now imagine this:
At
the end of a busy day, after the children have gone to bed and all the
dishes have been done, you open your 'Women Today' and look forward to
a good read, only to find 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 would be forgiven
for thinking that you've brought the wrong magazine, and you'd probably
stop buying it from now on and look for another one to fill the void.
Driving
readers away is the last thing editors want to do. That's why most
magazines stick to a tried-and-trusted formula that suits the targeted
readers.
The moral of the story is that there is no point in
submitting the wrong type of article ideas to editors. Your article may
be beautifully written, well-researched and error free, but if 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
least two issues of the magazine to get to know the tone, style and the
average length of the articles. Again, use a library or a large
newsagent if you need to.
Don't forget to look at the
advertisements, which will tell you 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're not trying to pitch an idea that has appeared in a recent issue.
Many
magazines now publish their submission guidelines on their websites, so
check these out first to get an idea about the kind of articles they
want. If you can't find guidelines on the website, write to the
editorial office with an SAE asking for 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 appeals to a magazine's audience, it will also appeal to the
editor. And the only way to find out what the readers want is to read
the magazine yourself.
Step 3: A grand opening
Make
your opening sentence work for you. Make it attention-grabbing and make
it a masterpiece. Editors are busy people and you have about 30 seconds
to get their attention. If you begin your query with a boring
statement, she will simply scan through your letter and move on to the
next one. Don't give her any excuse to stop reading your letter.
Present your idea as early in the letter as possible.
Your first
sentence can be an intriguing question, an interesting 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 should submit this article idea ...'
You get the drift. Comments like these scream amateurism. No editors want to work with amateurs.
Step 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 to write as a mother-of-two, for example.
Explain to
the editor why your article idea is unique and how it is of interest to
her and her readers. Include a provisional opening paragraph if
possible, but only if you think it will grab the editor's attention and
make her want to know what comes next. Say how you will get the
information required to write the article; for example, by interviewing
experts on the topic.
If you haven't worked with the editor
before, include brief information about yourself. If you have special
qualifications to write about this particular article, make sure you
let her know. For example, if you have a science degree and your
article idea is about making science interesting to the general public,
then say so.
Indicate how long your article will be. Make sure
this is in line with 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, you need to work on it more to get it
more focused.
Don't include more than one idea in a query. The
only exception is when you're sending fillers. Even then it should be
no more than 2 pages. Number your fillers clearly.
Step 5: Be professional
Professionalism
is the key to success. The quality of your writing is of course
important, but so is the image you project as a professional writer.
Be
businesslike. You may 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 a personal friend, although she may
become so once you have worked with her on a regular basis.
If
you can afford it, get 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
computer. Make it minimal. Don't try to use all the available fonts and
colours in your word processor, and resist the temptation to include
silly clip-arts in your letterhead. If you want 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 pay for return postage. If you want to get a reply, you must include an SAE.
Editors
want articles that are well-researched and error-free. If you query is
full of mistakes, editors will doubt your ability to produce
high-quality articles.
Don't rely on spell-checkers solely. Read
your query letters out loud; 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 unless you 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. Do you have something new to say
about your topic? Or can you say something that's already been said in
a new way?
Don't write to an editor suggesting you want to write
an article about cooking or dyslexia. This 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. If you can indicate to the editor which section of the
magazine your article will fit into then all the better. This tells the
editor that you have studied the magazine, which 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.
Do not query by telephone unless you have worked with an editor on a
few occasions and are sure that she doesn't mind.
Sending your
query via the wrong method once again shows the editor that you have
not spent time studying their publications and guidelines. This will
put you on the blacklist and jeopardise chances of acceptance of your
future queries.
If you're querying by email, it is best to paste
your query into the body of the email, rather than sending it as an
attached document. This is because attachments are notorious for
spreading computer viruses, and editors who have not worked with you
before will be unlikely to open an attachment from an unknown source.
Emails
are great for keeping in touch with 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 use
smilies ( ) or abbreviations commonly used on the internet. Don't
over-use punctuation marks, like this!!!!!!! AND DON'T USE ALL CAPITAL
LETTERS IN YOUR EMAIL. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ.
I
would 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 faced with a deadline two days away, she
may well 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 best clips with the query,
but only if the clips are appropriate to the idea you're proposing.
There is little point in sending a clip on local history if your query
is about fine wines.
If you've never been published before, don't
draw the editor's attention to the fact. If the only 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 will treat you
as one. Let your irresistible query letter and its professionalism
speak for you.
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 from a week to three months.
If
you haven't heard from the editor in four weeks, follow it up with a
polite letter or email. If you still haven't heard anything after three
months, assume it's a rejection and move on.
For new writers,
rejections can be soul-destroying. Just when you are feeling more
confident about your writing, along comes a rejection letter, leaving
you in doubt as to whether you are good enough to be a writer.
It's
important to realise that getting rejections is part of a successful
writer's life. It 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 try not to let the rejection get you down, you should spend some
time analysing why your last query has not produced a positive response
before re-submitting it to another magazine. Was it appropriate to the
publication? Did you start your query with an attention-grabber? Did
you send it to the right 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 use them to make your next query better.
Step 10: Give it 100%
Some
writers, especially new writers, argue that they should be spending
their time writing 'something proper' rather than writing query
letters. The trouble is, if you don't write query letters, your 'proper
writing' may never be published and be read.
A query letter is a
sales letter. To the editor, it is an indication of the quality and
style of your writing. If she 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 of it as the gateway to your success as a
freelance writer. Follow the steps outlined in this book and give it
100% every time you write a query letter. Now all you need are good
ideas. But that's another story.
Happy writing!
- - - - - - - - - -
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 have a wonderful article
idea about horses. I started riding since I was a child, so I thought I
could write an article for your magazine about horses.
I haven't
read your magazine but a friend suggested I should write to you to see
if you'd be interested in my idea. I have written a couple of items for
the local community newsletter and my family and friends think my
writing is not bad.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you
are interested in my idea. I will give you a call next week to discuss
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 child 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 develop persistent stammering into
later life.
Stammering usually begins between the ages 2 and 5,
and early intervention is vital in preventing it from developing into a
chronic problem. I am confident that your readers, a large number 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'. The
article will be an excellent fit for the Toddler Development section in
your magazine.
I am a speech therapist and have worked with
children who stammer. I will also interview two experts in this field
to include the latest 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
About
the Author
Mui Tsun is the creator of Inspire Software: the simple yet
powerful Character Generator, First Line Generator and Scenario
Generator will enhance your creativity, kick-start your imagination and
clear your writer's block. For more information visit http://www.raincatcher.co.uk/inspire.htm Don't be stuck, be inspired!
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