- a query letter:
- is a combination summary of the article you want to write and a solid sales pitch.
- saves time and receives faster replies than when a writer submits the entire, completed article.
- allows you to develop more ideas and spend less time on topics that turn out to be less marketable.
- is used to find out if there is interest for travel articles and travel books. short humor, newspaper pieces, and fillers (small information or humor pieces) are usually not queried.
- in the one page of your query letter, you must describe your idea. tell how you'll present the concept and why you're qualified to write on this topic.
- your query letter needs to be in the same writing style as you plan to write your article.
- to write your query, you'll create a hook to entice the first reader, who is the editor at a magazine. work on the hook and make it so attractive that an editor cannot say no.
- the bubble method works well to come up with clever, unusual, and marketable ideas to use in the hook and query (and then in the article or book).
- the query should have a hook in the first paragraph. the hook is also known as the lead, or lead sentence.
- this paragraph must grab attention. you may want to open with an anecdote, a quotation, surprising facts, or statistical references. you may want to share a "secret," reference dramatic or traumatic events, or ask a thought-provoking question.
- the first two paragraphs should include the five w's and the h. as you format a draft of your query, you may want to write out the words and put your responses next to them.
- in the middle, you move to the summary portion of the query letter. it's time to discuss what you're going to cover and how you'll do it. to save space, bullet or number points. editors like facts.
- include a working title and the anticipated word length, checking a market guide to make sure it matches the magazine's requirements.
- discuss your credentials or why you're qualified to write the material. if you can explain why you're the best writer to submit this article or book, it will not matter if you've never been published or have been published in a zillion places.
- if the entry in the market guide says to send clips and you have them, then enclose them. you do not have to explain that you're sending them. if you're not published as yet, but are qualified to write the article and have written a great query, by all means, don't let the lack of clips stop you.
- if you're asked to send a sample of your writing, this may be an unpublished piece of work that best represents your writing. make the sample no more than two pages.
- at the end of the query letter, close it politely. leave the editor on an upbeat note.
- since some editors do not want e-queries, always find out first.
- in an e-query, include a telephone number and location so that editors know approximately what time zone you live in and when to call.
- on spec or on assignment:
- when writing for magazines you might be asked to submit an article "on spec" (buzz words for "on speculation"). this means that the editor would like to read the article before giving a commitment to buy it. it shows interest but doesn't guarantee a sale.
- if the article is on assignment, it means you have a commitment from that editor. you'll receive a contract or letter of confirmation for this writing. if you don't receive a letter of confirmation, be sure to write a letter to the editor confirming everything you understand about the assignment, including due date, number of words, focus, and payment.
- once you begin traveling in writing circles, you'll hear both sides of this spec/assignment issue. some seasoned writers never write on spec. smart writers submit work on spec if they want to break into a new market or try a new genre. you will not be thought of as a novice if you submit your work this way.
feb 20 2018 ∞
feb 20 2018 +