This is where writer becomes a salesman.  It isn’t always enough to write a good story.  If you want to see it in print you have to sell an editor on the idea that others would like to read it.  You can do this in two ways.  One, by offering him a completed manuscript representing many hours of work in research, interviews and writing.  But what if the editor has just bought one on a similar topic?

A query sounds out the editor.  You sell him first, then you do the major part of the work.

The query is a letter to an editor stating your idea and asking if he would be interested in seeing the article without obligation on his part.  It should have some sparkle but it should be brief.  Actually, it’s the “door knocker” and if the editor says he’s interested—then you’ve got a foot in the door.

Here’s what a query should contain:

1.      An attention getter.  Arouse the editor’s curiosity.

2.      Angle or title.  The sales pitch…point of view you will take.  Possible title.  Your qualifications why you should do it.  Be brief.

3.      Why subject is important.  Why reader should know or care, but don’t oversell.

4.      What you want to put in the article.  Briefly, give source material, sketchy framework, anecdotes, statistics, illustrations you will offer.  Tell enough to show the article is possible.  This is the major part of query, but keep it short.

5.      Conclusion.  Try and pin down an answer or thank him for his time.  Keep everything on a positive note.

Example of query letter

Date

Editor’s name

Magazine

Address

City/Zip

Dear Mr. Editor’s name:

Real estate selling and writing fiction novels may seem to be two unrelated fields yet Nell Marr Dean has successfully incorporated both into her working program.  Author of forty-two published books with another one soon to be released, she entered the real estate field a year ago and was soon one of the outstanding sales persons in her company.

How does she combine the two?  Does she feel they have anything in common?  What are the similar qualifications one needs for success in either field?  These are the questions I’d like to answer in an article on Nell Dean.

As real estate is basically a man’s field, as well as writing, I’m sure your male readers would benefit from a story showing how a person can achieve success in the two separate fields simultaneously.  I will keep the male reader in mind.

I can supply 8X10 black and white glossy photos showing her at work in each career.

Are you interested?

Sincerely

Assignment:

Write a query on one of your ideas for at least one of the magazines on your list.