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