Comments on: Query Challenge – Dear Random Editor:

By: Terreece Clarke

Terreece Clarke — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:27:25 +0000

It could be you got an overworked assistant. I’d try looking online or in the publication’s masthead and if all else fails give them another call.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:07:39 +0000

I recently phoned a publication to find out the name of the editor. They just said to send it to [the name of the publication]. They weren’t interested in giving me a proper name. So do I simply begin the letter as “Dear Editor,”?

By: Query Challenge Update: Where are you now? | Article Writing Tips

Query Challenge Update: Where are you now? | Article Writing Tips — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:07:42 +0000

[...] Comments Terreece Clarke on Query Tip: Date Your PublicationTerreece Clarke on Query Challenge – Dear Random Editor:Jennifer on Query Challenge – Dear Random Editor:Di Eats the Elephant on Query Tip: Date Your [...]

By: Terreece Clarke

Terreece Clarke — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:59:09 +0000

Jennifer -

That’s wild. I don’t know much about the home magazine arena, but I wonder if it’s geared toward having experts in the field exclusively write for the mag. Well-known design names so regular writers need not apply. Just a very wild guess :0) I could be completely wrong!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:08:45 +0000

That’s a really good tip. Thanks for the heads up on that!

By: Terreece Clarke

Terreece Clarke — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:07:41 +0000

Hey Rupa!

Some sections are written in house either by the editor or assistant editor or other staff. You should check the section against the masthead and see if the section is written by someone on staff. My writing mentor hipped me to that trick :0)

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:07:03 +0000

I darkly suspect that some publications just don’t want queries, so they make it hard for anyone to figure out who’s in charge of what.

And along those lines, a friend of mine recently had an idea for a home story, and she got online to research various home and housing magazines’ submission policies. Turns out, at least a couple of them flat out say that they almost never accept queries, so if you reallllllly want to submit an idea, you can, but don’t get your hopes up. Which is disappointing. But hey, at least they’re honest about it!

By: Rupa

Rupa — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:55:36 +0000

Hi Terreece,
What you say makes sense, but I also don’t understand why some magazines go out of their way to make it difficult to find the section editors!!
As for the Query Challenge – I have sent out one query (my very first – no response yet) and have the ideas and outlines for two more. Will send them out this week. I hope something works out but even if nothing does, this exercise has been very useful in getting me started with this process that is new to me. Thank you!!
Another question – sometimes, it seems like the section I am interested in writing for is written by the same person in every issue….almost like a column…I’m not sure how you can identify if something is a regular column by the same writer or is open to freelance writers…sometimes it’s obvious when something is a regular column but other times it’s not – is it ok to still send a query for that section?