| Ask a bunch of aspiring magazine writers what editors | | | | 4. Expertise. Professional degree credentials are not |
| are looking for when they read article queries and I'll | | | | quite as valued by editors as many well-educated |
| bet most of them answer, "good article ideas." | | | | people expect. Unfortunately, many experts cannot |
| Well, sort of. What editors most want to find in queries | | | | explain what they know in ways that capture the |
| are good article ideas from writers who have an | | | | attention of magazine readers. But those who can |
| appealing edge over other writers. Contrary to what | | | | write in a popular style have a great opportunity to |
| most beginning freelancers think, that edge need not | | | | endear themselves to editors. |
| be writing talent. A good many other qualities, some of | | | | 5. Controversy. If you're one of those people who |
| which don't show up in a query, make a writer valuable | | | | have a knack for making people sit up and argue for |
| to an editor. | | | | or against what you're saying, some editors consider |
| Ever hopeful yet skeptical, editors read queries for | | | | that a worthy strong point. What generally accepted |
| evidence that a writer not only has a relevant article | | | | views can you passionately - and credibly - dispute? |
| idea but also one or more of the following qualities: | | | | Just don't launch an attack that's going to inspire death |
| 1. Research ability. Writers who can turn up little-known, | | | | threats or make you untouchable when you want to |
| highly interesting truths, track down hard-to-find | | | | write on other issues. |
| statistics and answer thorny factual questions can | | | | 6. Dependability. Editors can't know how dependable |
| easily rack up magazine assignments as long as they | | | | you are from a query, of course, but having had a |
| also understand what makes a topic relevant to a | | | | weekly column or having written regularly for one |
| certain publication's readers. Build your queries around | | | | publication strongly implies that you adhere to |
| such material and you'll soon have lots of editors as | | | | journalistic standards and meet deadlines. Because an |
| regular clients - especially if your submissions sail | | | | editor has to get an issue finished on time no matter |
| through the fact-checking process. | | | | what, this quality counts heavily. "When I told editors |
| 2. First-hand knowledge. Pilot and flight instructor Mal | | | | that I'd written for Crain's Chicago Business every |
| Gormley found himself in demand as a writer for | | | | week for fifteen years, it impressed the hell out of |
| Business & Commercial Aviation, Aviation Week and | | | | them," says Joanne Cleaver. "'Wow - fifteen years': |
| other aviation magazines, which had all gotten burned | | | | their tone of voice changed." Once you demonstrate |
| by freelancers who were decent writers and | | | | dependability to an editor, you're in the running for |
| researchers but who just didn't understand flying. | | | | repeat assignments. |
| Hobbies, languages you speak, where you live or have | | | | 7. Quickness. With their unforgiving publication schedule, |
| lived and family circumstances such as being a parent | | | | editors also value writers who can bang out a |
| of twins can each sometimes add to your appeal and | | | | readable article in next to no time. If you've ever had a |
| win you assignments and repeat business from editors | | | | writing job with daily deadlines, mention that as one of |
| if you play your cards shrewdly in proposing and | | | | your qualifications. It might get you an opportunity to |
| writing articles. | | | | come to the rescue when another freelancer fails to |
| 3. Access. Did you used to be a wardrobe assistant in | | | | deliver what was promised and an editor is looking at |
| Hollywood or an executive coach for Fortune 100 | | | | a hole in the issue about to close. |
| CEOs? If you can validly claim unusual access to | | | | 8. Catchy phrasing. Think about those phrases that |
| hard-to-reach groups of people, you may find it easier | | | | suddenly enter the language, seemingly from nowhere, |
| to land assignments. Debra Wallace, who has | | | | such as "mommy track," "chick lit" or "alpha male." |
| interviewed such film stars as Dustin Hoffman, Glenn | | | | Show the ability to coin such concepts in your query, |
| Close and Lauren Bacall, says that the celebrity writing | | | | and an editor might think "Cover story!" |
| business is "tough and not for the faint of heart." She | | | | Make one of these eight qualities your calling card, and |
| advises novices to prove their ability to get access | | | | you'll find numerous magazine doors opening for you |
| first at smaller, local magazines before approaching | | | | as a freelancer. |
| national publications. | | | | |