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Solving your writing problems since 1998! |
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Writing
a Bulletproof Article Query
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Most magazine editors prefer authors send them a query
letter
rather than the entire article. This helps minimize the
size of
the unsolicited submissions stack towering over their
desks, and
allows them to quickly judge if an idea is right for their publication. Some editors will buy an article on the strength of the query alone, especially if the author is previously published. So, while you can send out queries before you actually write the piece, it's essential that you complete your research and have a good idea of the direction your article will take before committing to it in the query letter.
Also, be sure
you
can finish the article quickly if the editor writes back
and asks Complete the paragraph by presenting the five basic facts about your topic: who, what, when, where and why. Sprinkle in a few statistics if you have them, and don't forget to list the projected word length.
Your
second paragraph introduces the questions you intend to
answer in |
Your final paragraph includes any pertinent information
about
yourself. List previous writing credits, areas of
expertise that
are related to your article, writing organizations to
which you
belong. Anything that gives you credibility as an author
should
be included. If you have no relevant experience, skip this
paragraph.
Some magazines request an annotated bibliography of
resources
used in writing the article. This can be attached on a
second
sheet of paper. Be sure your letter also includes your
full
address, phone number, and email. Submit with a
self-addressed,
stamped envelope for the editor's reply.
It's best to query one magazine at a time unless you are
slanting
the article differently for different publications. If two
magazines request the complete work, send to your
preferred
market first. If they buy the piece, be sure you retain
the
appropriate rights to write about the same subject for a
different market before submitting a new article
elsewhere.
For more pointers on writing query letters, cover letters
and
book proposals, check out "Author to Editor: Query
Letter Secrets
of the Pros" by Linda Arms White. Geared to the
children's book
market, this book includes a library of actual letters and
proposals
successful authors used to sell their work.
Information, plus an
excerpt from the book, can be found at http://write4kids.com/a2e.html
*
Laura Backes is the author of "Best Books for Kids
Who (Think They) Hate
to Read" from Random House. She's also the
publisher of Children's Book
Insider, the Newsletter for Children's Writers.
For more information
about writing children's books, including free
articles, market tips,
insider secrets and much more, visit Children's Book
Insider's home on
the web at http://write4kids.com
Copyright 2002, Children's Book Insider, LLC
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