Query Challenge Update

By Terreece M. Clarke

Where are you on the Query Challenge? We started off trying to query a few new (to you) magazines before Christmas. Some of you jumped in a little later and others are finished and just waiting to hear back from your choice publications. I want updates!

Have you been inspired by the challenge to query more often? What questions do you have about queries, query letters, etc.? Talk to my FWJ and let me help you!

Do you want to start the challenge? Here are some articles to help you along your way:

Query Challenge – Dear Random Editor:

Caller You Say What? Questions About Queries

Query Tip: Date Your Publication

Query Challenge Update: Where are you now?

Query Challenge Update: Where are you now?

It’s late Tuesday evening and you are checking your feedreader, email and social networking sites one more time before you disappear into a mound of wrapping paper, yummy meals and family fun. You know there’s something you forgot to do. What is it? Write an article? Nope. Follow up on a source? Nope.

The query challenge! That’s it!

Where are you on the query challenge? Have you pitched a publication yet? Remember we wanted to do this by Christmas so we’d start the New Year off right with either a great or an encouraging response or heck, let’s be honest – any response.

If you haven’t pitched yet, don’t feel guilty, let’s focus on making progress. I’m not letting you off the hook, mind you. You made a commitment people and I expect a progress report!

What are some of the barriers to pitching a publication or company?

• Ego or lack thereof. Stop telling yourself you have no right to pitch, beware of short-changing yourself.
• Writer’s block. Are you really out of ideas or using that as an excuse? Do whatever it takes to get the juices flowing and get back to work.
• Lack of info. Who’s the right editor? Is this section written by freelancers or staff? Check out this post to get yourself going in the right direction: “Query Challenge: Dear Random Editor:“
• Waiting. On what may I ask? More time? Good luck with that one. Stop with the excuses and take steps to get your career going to the next level.

How’s the challenge coming? Details! Details!

Query Challenge – Dear Random Editor:

by Terreece M. Clarke

“Dear Editor: This is a fantastic query. It’s a hot topic and perfect for your biggest issue of the year. It’s well-researched and has a fantastic expert on board for an interview. Unfortunately, I didn’t take the time to find out which editor I should send it to. Sure I could have sent a quick email or picked up the phone to be sure that the person on the masthead is still there and in the department, but I decided to go generic. Just any random editor at the publication. So now my query is stuck being passed around. Maybe it’ll find it’s way to the right spot. Maybe it’ll end up in the spam folder or under a pile of to-do’s on someone’s desk. By the time it reaches you though, you would have already assigned out the articles for that issue. Or when it does reach you, you’ll be annoyed by the “Dear Editor” and question my dedication to research. Sincerely, Freelance Writer”

One of the most important parts of a query is the editor’s name. Spell it wrong and you’re toast. Don’t bother to find it out and you’re lazy. Address it to the old editor or wrong section and you’re sloppy. It’s like the SATs, you get points just for getting the name correct.

Finding out which editor you should send a query to is as simple as picking up the phone or sending a short email. Checking the masthead is the first step, but think about when the magazine was sent to the publisher, a lot of things can change when you have such a long lead time. Suzy P. Editor or Dan Q. Writesalot may not be with the magazine may have been promoted or moved to a different area of the magazine.

It doesn’t have to be a long conversation or email. “I’m sending in a query on [subject] and I want to be sure I’m sending it to the correct person. I have [name & email addy or mailing add] is that correct? The person on the phone will be glad you checked and will give you the info you need. You may even get lucky enough to get the actual editor and they may ask for more info right then and there. Hello! Foot in the door!

Double check the spelling. Allyson, Allison, Alleson? If you can’t get their name right when asking for a job, an editor immediately wonders about what will be wrong with your article.

So what’s in a name? Everything. Get it right for query success!

How’s that query challenge coming? Anyone send out their queries? Any responses yet? Keep us in the loop!

Caller You Say What? Questions About Queries

By Terreece M. Clarke

I always wanted my own talk show :0) Today I’m going to answer a few of the great questions I’ve received:

Rupa Says:

Hi Terreece,
Off topic – but I wanted to return to the query challenge. (Yes, I am working on it!)
I have spent some time studying query letter tips and sample queries online. I have never done this before and want to learn to do it right.
I have a few questions -
Is it absolutely necessary to mention in the query some of the names of the people I will be talking to and the quotes I will be using in the article? I guess names and quotes do add some personality and interest and convince the editor that I actually am capable of doing the research…But currently I don’t have the sources or quotes, although I will be getting them before starting the article (If I get chosen to write!) So, is it ok to leave that part out in the query or should I first work on the sources and quotes?

Hi Rupa, thanks for the question. It’s not necessary to include exactly who you will interview. While yes, it does give the query an extra kick to list a respected expert or someone who’s recently published a book on the subject, it is also okay to list a general roster. “I will interview an expert in the field of origami as well as a member of the National Origami Organization,” one way to leave yourself open to some wiggle room.

Nina Says:

Hi Terreece,

This may be off topic. But I am looking for some answers. I am starting my query process, I have never been published in a print magazine. I have read that a great way to break into a magazine, would be to interview an expert. My issue is, how do you come up with questions that are news worthy? For example I want to query a magazine about a natural health supplement. How can I construct a solid interview? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi Nina! A great place to start would be to research current news on the health supplement. What do proponents of the supplement say about it? What about those who dispute its use? You can also think about it in terms of the magazine’s focus. For a parenting magazine you could interview an expert in natural medicine and its affects on pregnancy or use while breastfeeding, for a male fitness magazine the emphasis could be on performance enhancement – and I mean athletic, not the other kind, though if you find information on that it would be a good angle! Find an angle that appeals to your publication and construct an interview around the angle. Remember to be flexible during the interview because there are times you never know where the interview will take you.

Got a question about writing? Working on the query challenge & need some help? Email me or post your questions below!