So - how do I word a message to them indicating my interest, and indicating my plan to submit a specific article that they mention needing (a family vacation travelogue - after our vacation next week.)
Thoughts?
My impression was that submission standards are industry or subject-matter specific.
My own experience with this is limited to the world of Academia. While reviewers may be "blind" but editors are most definitely not.
Editors don't even have send things out for review if they don't want to.
I say that to say this, if the editors your favorite mag think not only might you have writing talent but also a "platform" as they're called then this will help you get a spot in their pages.
of course as always writing well is the first key.
If this is science, then that practice is a blight on the peer review status of the journal, and may cause it to lose status. I am not saying that it doesn't happen.
Theoretical work from a highly respected scholar is not likely to be given the same scrutiny as empirical work.
All empirically driven pieces are usually sent out but the editor also usually knows who those reviewers are...
I'm not saying editors take it easy on certain writers but rather that if for example A has a long standing scholastic feud with B, editor C will likely not send A B's work and vice versa.
I have written a moderate-length introductory letter, with my meager qualifications and emphasizing my interest and topics I have wanted to write articles about. Any suggestions for how to close the letter? Should I ask them if they have an assignment I can try out to show them what I'm capable of? Or just wait and write my travelogue in a week and send it off?
2. Tell them what you have published and in what publication.
3. Tell them of your travel plans, where you are going, etc. Then pick a slant, something about this trip/destination that will make the article different, entertaining and informative, and will make them really want the article. It would help to mention some little known but interesting facet about your destination that you might touch on in the article. This will show them you are prepared - not just writing by the seat of your pants.
4. If you have not already, read a number of similar articles to the one you intend to write - travelogue - so that you get a feel for content and style. Especially helpful would be back issues of this magazine with such articles that would serve you well as a guide.
5. Unless they accept unsolicited mss, don't send them one. Send them a query. Even if they do accept unsolicited mss, my inclination would still be to query first as sending an article in "cold" could be rejected - and the time taken to write it is down the drain. Also, when working with a new editor, I think it is always better to query - sell em on the idea, then when you get the ok go ahead and write it. Assignments in my experience are generally given after a writer has proven to the editor that the author can write a good article and has established a working relationship with the editor. So again, I think a query is the way to go.
[This message has been edited by nitewriter (edited August 16, 2007).]
[This message has been edited by nitewriter (edited August 16, 2007).]
Dear xxxxx,
John Doe is a single parent of Siamese quintuplets. I propose a 750-word article discussing his parenting strategies and how he balances a full time career as a bass fisherman with raising Siamese quintuplets.
I am also a parent and know John personally and have several tidbits that might make for a good sidebar. I can also supply photographs.
This is where you tell about your writing experience and mention any related credits you might have.
regards,
Mary Writer