A query letter can get
your manuscript from unsolicited to solicited status. Most magazine editors
read only query letters and don’t read slush-pile articles. A writer should not send a whole manuscript.
If you are a new writer
and want to sell your article to a publisher you must have a query letter. Although, you are a new write that doesn’t
mean that you can’t write a good query letter. According to John Wood’s book, How
to Write Attention Grabbing Query and Cover Letters, “Editors are looking
for clear signs (as many as possible) that you have honed your skills and are
ready to join the team, not someone who’s just starting out and trying
his hand at writing.”
A Self Addressed
Stamped Envelope (SASE)
Include a SASE with your
query letter; address the envelope to yourself, and a stamp. Fold the envelope
and put it in back of the query letter.
When you hear from the magazine they will send you letter in your return
envelope with an acceptance or a rejection.
Slanted Query to That
Magazine
Read at least the last six
copies of the magazine. Read every
article and note which articles are like the one you want to write. Usually if
your article is too close or the same idea it generally will be turned down.
But send a query letter with an offer to produce something fresh in your
articles.
Have a Great Idea
Your idea should be
interesting and original. Express the freshness of your idea in the query;
don’t leave anything out including the ending. Tell the editor where you will
get your facts and interviews.
How Are You Qualified
to Write the Article?
If you are a new writer
you don’t have to mention it in the query letter. You are selling an idea to
the editor. You are a writer, so write a good query. Tell the editor how you
are qualified to write the article. If
you are a nurse mention that in the query if you are trying to write for a
fitness magazine.
One Page Query Letter
Your query letter should
be one page. This shows the editor that
you are a professional and you are able to focus on tight writing. The query is
a business letter single spaced, double space between paragraphs and don’t
indent your paragraphs.
You will get better the
more query letters that you write. Keep
querying the magazines you want to appear in and you will one day get a go
ahead.
Reference:
John Wood; How to Write
Attention Grabbing Query and Cover Letters; Writer’s Digest
