| Every time you pick up your favorite magazine | | | | select freelance work is to read through queries |
| you pour over it, looking through every article. By | | | | provided by freelance writers. In its simplest form |
| the time you are finished many of the pages are | | | | a query is an outline of the article you are |
| dog-eared and you've discovered that so many | | | | interested in writing. A query actually serves a |
| of the articles are in line with your own personal | | | | duel purposes, the first is to allow the publisher |
| interests and writing style. | | | | the opportunity to consider many different article |
| As a writer you find yourself considering the | | | | possibilities and, secondly you are not required to |
| possibility of submitting something for the | | | | actually write the article unless the publisher |
| magazine to consider. You have even written an | | | | specifically asks you to follow-up your query with |
| article or two, but never had the courage to send | | | | an actual manuscript. |
| them on. You have dozens of ideas, but they | | | | A query for magazine publishing should include the |
| never go any further than the dream you have | | | | following: |
| every time you look at the publisher information | | | | A brief introduction. |
| and see the word 'Submission'. | | | | An outline of the subject you with to write about |
| Most magazines have a certain amount of | | | | and the angle you wish to take with the story. |
| freelance material they accept for publishing. | | | | A succinct list of writing credentials that may |
| These freelance positions can be a one-time shot | | | | relate to your interest to write for the publication. |
| at publishing; however there have been many | | | | A sense of appreciation to the publisher for taking |
| instances where a dependable freelance writer | | | | time to review your query. |
| may be called upon to write for the magazine on | | | | Your query letter should take no more than two |
| a regular basis. Should this happen you will likely | | | | pages and should convey the idea that your story |
| receive greater compensation for your articles. | | | | would be unique and compelling. |
| Typically magazines pay either by the word or by | | | | Because magazine writing is most often |
| the article. Predictably, publishers do not generally | | | | speculative (no guarantee the work will be |
| accept fully written articles unless they ask you | | | | published) a query is a timesaving and |
| for them. | | | | door-opening method in gaining the attention of a |
| The method most magazine publishers use to | | | | publisher. |