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Writing Query (Article Proposal) Letters for Non-Fiction Articles KEY INGREDIENTS 1. Read the magazine and its guidelines; Talk to someone who has written for them if possible; Research Writer's Market / writersmarket.com 2. Addressed to the current editor/contact by name (call to check) 3. Current and interesting topic; Only one topic per query and don't send multiple ones at once 4. Adequate background research and preliminary interview(s); Attention-grabbing quotes 5. News hook - why is this important now - highlight current trend or readership need 6. Specific and factual information 7. Slanted to the addressed publication 8. Outline of article content 9. List of probable sources 10. Your expertise, credentials, and why you should be the writer 11. Length is 1 page - concise 12. Neat, clean, no typos, everything spelled correctly, grammar correct 13. Clips that match the query topic as closely as possible and demonstrate excellent writing 14. Self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) 15. Your contact information HELPFUL HINTS 1. Mail in a large, flat envelope, not #10 business size 2. Keep a log or spreadsheet of ideas and possible publications to match 3. Keep queries circulating at all times 4. When you receive a rejection/declination, look for a way to send the query on elsewhere 5. Do whatever you can to make it easy for the editor to say YES 6. Don't send a manuscript (except for fiction or humor) or original photos or slides 7. Follow-up if no reply in approximately 8 weeks 8. Don't make query rejections mean anything personal about you E-QUERIES 1. Identify it as a Query in the subject line 2. Still be professional and courteous (not loose and casual) 3. Send one idea at a time and allow time between queries 4. Length should still be less than 1 page, and many editors prefer 1-2 paragraphs 5. Don't argue back with the editor if they turn the idea down 6. Include your full contact information and credentials; don't assume the editor will remember them from a previous query 7. Offer to mail or email clips; do not send attachments, as the editor will be concerned about viruses RESOURCES Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters, by John Wood How To Write Irresistible Query Letters, by Lisa Collier Cool Sell & Resell Your Magazine Articles, by Gordon Burgett ©Susanne M. Alexander, Western Reserve Writer's Mini-Conference, March 23, 2002 [an error occurred while processing this directive] |