| Ask a bunch of aspiring magazine writers what | | | | Unfortunately, many experts cannot explain |
| editors are looking for when they read | | | | what they know in ways that capture the |
| article queries and I'll bet most of them | | | | attention of magazine readers. But those who |
| answer, "good article ideas." Well, sort of. | | | | can write in a popular style have a great |
| What editors most want to find in queries are | | | | opportunity to endear themselves to editors. |
| good article ideas from writers who have an | | | | 5. Controversy. If you're one of those people |
| appealing edge over other writers. Contrary | | | | who have a knack for making people sit up and |
| to what most beginning freelancers think, | | | | argue for or against what you're saying, some |
| that edge need not be writing talent. A good | | | | editors consider that a worthy strong point. |
| many other qualities, some of which don't | | | | What generally accepted views can you |
| show up in a query, make a writer valuable to | | | | passionately - and credibly - dispute? Just |
| an editor. Ever hopeful yet skeptical, | | | | don't launch an attack that's going to |
| editors read queries for evidence that a | | | | inspire death threats or make you untouchable |
| writer not only has a relevant article idea | | | | when you want to write on other issues. 6. |
| but also one or more of the following | | | | Dependability. Editors can't know how |
| qualities: 1. Research ability. Writers who | | | | dependable you are from a query, of course, |
| can turn up little-known, highly interesting | | | | but having had a weekly column or having |
| truths, track down hard-to-find statistics | | | | written regularly for one publication |
| and answer thorny factual questions can | | | | strongly implies that you adhere to |
| easily rack up magazine assignments as long | | | | journalistic standards and meet deadlines. |
| as they also understand what makes a topic | | | | Because an editor has to get an issue |
| relevant to a certain publication's readers. | | | | finished on time no matter what, this quality |
| Build your queries around such material and | | | | counts heavily. "When I told editors that I'd |
| you'll soon have lots of editors as regular | | | | written for Crain's Chicago Business every |
| clients - especially if your submissions sail | | | | week for fifteen years, it impressed the hell |
| through the fact-checking process. 2. | | | | out of them," says Joanne Cleaver. "'Wow - |
| First-hand knowledge. Pilot and flight | | | | fifteen years': their tone of voice changed." |
| instructor Mal Gormley found himself in | | | | Once you demonstrate dependability to an |
| demand as a writer for Business & Commercial | | | | editor, you're in the running for repeat |
| Aviation, Aviation Week and other aviation | | | | assignments. 7. Quickness. With their |
| magazines, which had all gotten burned by | | | | unforgiving publication schedule, editors |
| freelancers who were decent writers and | | | | also value writers who can bang out a |
| researchers but who just didn't understand | | | | readable article in next to no time. If |
| flying. Hobbies, languages you speak, where | | | | you've ever had a writing job with daily |
| you live or have lived and family | | | | deadlines, mention that as one of your |
| circumstances such as being a parent of twins | | | | qualifications. It might get you an |
| can each sometimes add to your appeal and win | | | | opportunity to come to the rescue when |
| you assignments and repeat business from | | | | another freelancer fails to deliver what was |
| editors if you play your cards shrewdly in | | | | promised and an editor is looking at a hole |
| proposing and writing articles. 3. Access. | | | | in the issue about to close. 8. Catchy |
| Did you used to be a wardrobe assistant in | | | | phrasing. Think about those phrases that |
| Hollywood or an executive coach for Fortune | | | | suddenly enter the language, seemingly from |
| 100 CEOs? If you can validly claim unusual | | | | nowhere, such as "mommy track," "chick lit" |
| access to hard-to-reach groups of people, you | | | | or "alpha male." Show the ability to coin |
| may find it easier to land assignments. Debra | | | | such concepts in your query, and an editor |
| Wallace, who has interviewed such film stars | | | | might think "Cover story!" Make one of these |
| as Dustin Hoffman, Glenn Close and Lauren | | | | eight qualities your calling card, and you'll |
| Bacall, says that the celebrity writing | | | | find numerous magazine doors opening for you |
| business is "tough and not for the faint of | | | | as a freelancer. |
| heart." She advises novices to prove their | | | | |
| ability to get access first at smaller, local | | | | Veteran magazine writing coach Marcia Yudkin |
| magazines before approaching national | | | | is the author of Freelance Writing for |
| publications. 4. Expertise. Professional | | | | Magazines & Newspapers, articles in Ms, |
| degree credentials are not quite as valued by | | | | Psychology Today, New York Times Magazine, |
| editors as many well-educated people expect. | | | | Yoga Journal, Business 2.0 and more. |