| One magazine. Hundreds of writers. Thousands of | | | | months my newsletter for freelance writers has |
| queries. | | | | received queries on a wild variety of topics from |
| One editor. One desktop ... and a trashcan that | | | | archaeology to gardening to European history. If |
| appears to be incredibly, almost unimaginably deep. | | | | there are guidelines, please read them. Ensure |
| Where exactly will your submission go? | | | | your manuscript meets the requirements of style, |
| It has all the makings of an editor's nightmare. | | | | length etc. |
| Stacks and stacks of submissions, and some of | | | | 3.Is my submission method correct? |
| them are dreadfully inappropriate and | | | | A publication's writer's guidelines will often tell you |
| unprofessional. It's enough to give our poor editor | | | | how the editor likes to receive submissions. Do |
| a splitting headache at the very least. No wonder | | | | they prefer to receive a query or a finished |
| that some of these submissions have only a brief | | | | article? Do they want submissions sent through |
| existence before being filed in the circular bin. | | | | the post or electronically by email? If sending an |
| How will you ever get through to an editor who is | | | | article by email, does the editor prefer |
| wading through scores of submissions being sent | | | | attachments such as Microsoft Word or do they |
| by your competitors? That's right, your | | | | request the article to be sent as regular text |
| competitors. It's important to think of those other | | | | within the body of your email. With the |
| writers with that understanding. And it wouldn't | | | | proliferation of computer viruses, many editors |
| hurt to keep in mind that some of them may be | | | | now refuse to open attachments that may be |
| reading this newsletter. Face the facts. Space in | | | | carrying dangerous macros or code. If you really |
| most publications is limited. Very limited. Not at all | | | | want your proposal to execute a rapid depth test |
| like your editor's trash. That trashcan really does | | | | on the editor's trashcan, simply ignore this |
| appear to be as dark and bottomless as a cup of | | | | checklist item. |
| Aunt Annie's coffee. | | | | 4.Does my opening catch the reader's attention? |
| Do you want to be successful in the business of | | | | If the editor only reads the first two or three |
| selling your writing? If so, then having recognized | | | | sentences of your query, will you have captured |
| your competitors for who they really are, look at | | | | their interest? The first paragraph must be a |
| the challenge from a business point of view. | | | | winner. Intriguing. Enticing. Like a fat, juicy worm |
| Your client has a project. The project is to | | | | wiggling on the end of a fishing line. Read your |
| provide the client with writing services and writing | | | | opening again. Can you improve it? |
| material for publication. Your client has tendered | | | | 5.Can I cut any unnecessary or redundant words? |
| their requirements to you and to your | | | | Many of us include unnecessary or redundant |
| competitors. The project and the space in their | | | | words when we first draft a piece. The makers |
| publication are up for grabs, and work will be | | | | of some editing software I know of claim that |
| awarded to the most appropriate tenderer. Keep | | | | their software typically removes 25 to 30 percent |
| in mind that the lowest or cheapest proposal is | | | | of unnecessary and redundant words from users' |
| not always accepted. In fact in this business it | | | | documents. That's significant. Cast a critical eye |
| probably will not be! | | | | over your work again. If the words add value to |
| It is very common to receive Requests For | | | | the piece, leave them. If you have waffled it may |
| Proposals (RFPs) in the business world. Serious | | | | be worthwhile to take a black marker pen and |
| tenderers would not even consider submitting a | | | | start striking out any unnecessary phrases. Think |
| sloppy, hastily drafted proposal. For a submission | | | | crisp, think concise. |
| to be short-listed, the entire proposal has to be | | | | 6.Have I checked my grammar? |
| thoroughly researched, well written, and carefully | | | | It can be frustrating for an editor to read what |
| packaged. To successfully submit a writing query | | | | would otherwise be a good article but for the fact |
| or manuscript, you should be just as thorough and | | | | it is riddled with bad grammar. Some writers |
| just as professional. Naturally your submission will | | | | wonder why editors haven't taken them seriously, |
| be much shorter and more concise than tender | | | | but they haven't even taken the time to |
| documents in many other businesses. | | | | proofread their own manuscript before submitting |
| So how can you make the shortlist with your | | | | it! Some good word processing software |
| editor? Firstly, you need a great topic or idea but | | | | programs will even check your grammar for you. |
| this article is not designed to help you with that. | | | | 7.Have I checked the spelling? |
| Secondly, your idea or article must be | | | | Again your software can probably do this for you. |
| professionally presented. Here is a ten-point | | | | If you are writing for a publication in another |
| checklist to help you ensure your submission is | | | | country have you also taken into account any |
| ready to send. Do some of the items on the list | | | | different spelling for that location, e.g. British vs. |
| sound elementary? Please check them again. | | | | American English? Also try to spot any words |
| You'd be surprised how many queries are sent | | | | that may be different from country to country, |
| every day by writers who fail to perform some | | | | for example footpaths and sidewalks, diapers and |
| of these fundamental checks. | | | | nappies. |
| 1.Have I read the publication? | | | | 8.Have I included some details about my |
| Elementary? Indeed! Come on, be honest. Have | | | | background? |
| you ever read a publication's writer's guidelines at | | | | This may not be necessary if the editor already |
| a web site or in a newsletter, had a superb idea | | | | knows you. Otherwise be sure to include a brief |
| for an article and queried - or even written the | | | | biography and list any relevant credentials, clips, or |
| article - all without going to look at the publication? | | | | links to your articles online. |
| Don't, don't, don't ever do this! You may as well | | | | 9.Have I included the article's publishing history? |
| play the poker machines, if you intend to leave | | | | Remember the last time you had to clear |
| your writing career to blind luck. | | | | customs at the airport? This is just like that. 'Do |
| Especially since most publications have a web site, | | | | you have anything to declare?' If the article has |
| there is no excuse for not studying a publication | | | | been published elsewhere, you do. |
| before querying the editor or submitting an article. | | | | 10.Have I included my contact details? |
| Take a look at other pieces they have been | | | | If you want a reply from the editor, and hopefully |
| publishing recently. What types of topics are they | | | | one day to receive a check in the post, be certain |
| running? What style of writing was used? | | | | to provide your full contact details. Many writers |
| 2.Have I checked the publication's writer's | | | | making submissions by email forget to include any |
| guidelines? | | | | other contact details. |
| If they have any guidelines, that is. This is more | | | | It's been a long day. The editor, red-eyed and |
| common for publications in North America than in | | | | wired on caffeine, is ready to go home. Incredibly, |
| other continents, and the type and amount of | | | | the trashcan is nearly full now. A few crumpled |
| information contained in the guidelines varies | | | | manuscripts lie scattered nearby where they |
| widely. First check a publication's web site to see | | | | didn't quite hit the mark. 'One more', the editor |
| if there is a link to 'Writer's Guidelines' or | | | | thinks, 'then I'll hit the road.' Finally your submission |
| 'Submission Guidelines' or occasionally | | | | is opened, and the editor, for what seems like the |
| 'Contributions'. Sometimes you will need to go first | | | | hundredth time today, wonders what this new |
| to the 'About' or 'Contact' page before you find | | | | writer has to offer. |
| this link to their guidelines. If you can't find any | | | | Where will your submission end up? Have you |
| link, you might drop the editor a polite, brief email | | | | helped yourself by sending in a well-prepared |
| asking if they have any writer guidelines. Do you | | | | submission? If you have followed the advice given |
| consider obtaining and reading writer's guidelines to | | | | here, you're well on your way. Now let's hope |
| be a waste of time? No way. In the last few | | | | your idea was a good one. |