How Do I Write A Magazine Query? Ask Anne, The Pro Writer

(www.thegoldenpencil.com)
Hi Anne,
I’m trying to put together a freelance writing career while raising my two kids. It dawned on me that I’ve got a bunch of tips I’d like to share with other mothers. I don’t know how to put together a query for a magazine, which is what I think I need to do first. Can you help me?

KP

Hi KP,

Thanks for the question. Let me unpack it a bit.

First of all, you can market a series of tips one at a time to magazines that like that sort of thing.

You can turn your tips into a full-length article.

A query letter could be used to see if you can get an assignment for either approach.

A query letter is a short sales letter that tells the prospective editor what you want to write and why you’re the best person to write it.

I usually start queries with the first sentence or two of the proposed article and I work hard to hook the editor just as I’d hook the reader into wanting to know more. Then I state why I’m the best one to write the article. This is followed with information about the proposed length, and experts I’ll be quoting if I am, how long after the assignment it will take me to get it written, etc.

Once I’m sure the query letter is as interesting and as perfect as I can make it, it goes by snail mail, addressed to the right editor and with an Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE). If the magazine accepts queries by email I follow their instructions which often means I’ll just email the query to them. When this is the case, I always email a copy to myself first to make as sure as I can everything looks good. I don’t send attachments unless specifically instructed to.

You can view a sample query letter here.

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