Sunday, January 22, 2012

Tips on How to Write Query Letters


By Lanee’ Blunt

New writers shy away from using query letters because they don’t understand how they can work for them.  Maybe you have heard that sending the magazine a query letter is how you should get your article sold, but as a new writer the query letter seems intimidating.  It sounds like something only professional writers’ use. A new writer can write an excellent query letter with a few tips. 

The query letter is not the place to try out your new logo or have fancy clipart with your writing aspirations.  Your query must look professional because you are competing with published writers.

When you write the query letter you are going to make it interesting and the advantage is that you are going to do a small amount of research for the query. 
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.

Tell the editor if you have been published before; list the articles, the magazine, and the publication date. If you have never been published you can tell the editor about how you’re qualified for writing the story.  For example, if you’re writing a nonfiction piece on home school, you may tell the editor that you are a teacher and that you have many years of experience.

Your query letter should be one page.  Keep queries in the mail until you receive a go-ahead.  Send a different query to each magazine you can not send out simultaneous queries of the same article. Include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE) so you can receive an answer to your query letter. 


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