Comments on: Query Challenge Update: Where are you now?

By: sunehra

sunehra — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:50:47 +0000

I finally pitched a story to Health magazine but that particular section of the magazine isn’t accepting pitches at the moment. So, I pitched it to the website instead because a couple of months ago, I went on a job interview there and was told that they are looking for pitches. It’s only been a few days so I’m hoping some good news will come out of it. Health is a lucrative market and I haven’t published in a national health magazine yet!

I also pitched an idea to Bridal Guide because I write a bi-monthly column for the website, but the section editor has left. I called the magazine to get the appropriate editor’s email and the editor picked up! I was at work and couldn’t pitch her the idea at work so I hung up. I need to call back since I didn’t catch the editor’s name. Should I ask the receptionist to just give me the name of the editor instead of having her transfer me to the editor?

By: Terreece Clarke

Terreece Clarke — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:40:19 +0000

Merry Christmas to you too Pati! Thanks or the kind words.

Rupa – I’m sure you did a good job. You will want to wait probably a month at least. I know, agony! But you’ve got the holidays and the unenviable backlog of stuff on an editor’s desk for them to get through – not saying they aren’t working their little hearts out through the holidays but still :0)

Olivia – it’s a tough spot to be in, but I don’t think you need to clear a week. Focus on an hour a day or a couple hours a week and work on your query. You will still make progress & you won’t lose out on saving for that dream home!

By: Oliva

Oliva — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:22:09 +0000

Oh, and to be more specific about my barrier, it is this: I can’t “clear” a week and lose $1000 – $3000 in writing work to perfect my pitch. I’m trying SO hard to save for a house, and in the SoCal market where the crappiest 3BR/2BA costs upwards of $600,000, it just feels like every penny I can squirrel away is valuable.

So my barrier is I can’t get over the hurdle of turnign down paid work to work on my unpaid, no-promise-of-anything pitch.

By: Oliva

Oliva — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:06:10 +0000

Double, triple, quadruple sigh. For years I have been sitting on a fantastic story that numerous eds. have told me is classic New Yorker or Atlantic. But I am too busy with my other freelance gigs to delve. I am a contract writer and make $100K a year at it. To turn down paid work to perfect my pitch seems irresponsible. And yet I am dying to see this thing in print someday. Hopefully 2009 will be my year to break out of my self-imposed “I’m too busy/I can’t turn down paid work/What’s the point” jail cell!

By: Rupa

Rupa — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:45:30 +0000

Terreece,
I’m happy to tell you that I did it..well, sorta! I sent out three queries to Khabar(Atlanta-based Indian-American magazine), Mothering and Carolina @ Play.) No response yet. And I am not sure if I did a good job. But I am glad I tried. How long do you think I should wait before I give up on those and try again? Thanks again & Happy Holidays.

By: Pati

Pati — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:14:50 +0000

I’m not sure where the best place would be to post or send a thank you and wish you Merry Christmas. You give your readers such great gifts throughout the year — I just wanted to say thank you.

Merry Christmas,

Pati