Magazine writing tips part 2

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Originally uploaded by H is for Home
This is fun sharing some tips with y'all on freelance writing for magazines, and I love reading your comments.

Contacting magazine editors.

I recommend that you do not call editors unless they ask you to call them. In their magazine's guidelines, editors will say "email queries only" or "no email queries, snail mail only." Often they say "no phone calls" and they do mean that!

When to follow up.

The writer's guidelines for the magazine usually give a time frame of how long it takes for them to reply. Some reply with a form rejection in one day, yes, that has happened to me. Sob, cry me a river.

Others say "6 weeks to reply." If you hear nothing within the 6 weeks I suggest that you send the same query again, with a note that "Here is a query I sent you on [date], and I wonder if you have had the opportunity to look at it." Sometimes the editor answers "thank you for sending this again, I somehow didn't see it."

Sim subs.

This is the abbreviation for "simultaneous submissions." Often in the guidelines it says "sim subs ok" or "no sim subs." If you believe there are several magazines that might like your brilliant article on "how to brush your teeth" and they say "sim subs ok" go ahead and send it to them all.

If you send a sim sub to more than one magazine and more than one wants the article, you can sell it to one of them, and tell the other interested editors that you offer to write an original article with a different slant on that topic specifically for them.

Tips on writing for magazines part 1

Hi All.
Many of my blog readers said they would love some tips for becoming a freelance magazine writer. There is so much I can share about this, that this is the first post of more.
Here are some ideas, gained during my years of freelance writing.
1. Get some writing clips, which means samples of complete articles written by you and published in magazines. Is there an online magazine you read where you can submit an article? Your first published articles may need to be published for no pay, but that way you gain some published "clips."
2. Submitting articles is easier now, with many magazines allowing queries and submissions via email, instead of the slower snail mail. Snail mail costs you in stamps, buying an envelope, printing out your clips and a cover letter and going to the post office.
3. The difference between queries and submissions. Each magazine has its own guidelines and be sure you follow their rules. If it says "queries only" that means describe your idea and why you are the best person to write it. Don't be shy here in stating your qualifications. "Query only" means do not write the article and send it; merely describe your idea in an exciting manner. If it says "accepts article submissions" you need to write the article and send it in.
4. Where do you find the magazine's guidelines? If you visit the magazine's website there is usually a section of "writer's guidelines" or "submit your story."
5. Two very important books for you to use are "Writer's Market" and Sally Stuart's "Christian Writer's Market Guide". In the world of publishing changes are fast and continual and editors change and guidelines change so only use the most recent edition since these books have a new edition each year. These guides contain children's publication guides, but there is also a "Children's Writer's Market" book if you specialize in writing for children. Fortunately many libraries have these books. I buy the first two each year and jot down in the book when I send a query but beginners may want to visit their local library or a book store, and take notes.
This writing journey is so exciting and I hope you have much success. Please share your successes and other ideas here to help new writers.

writing magazine articles, any questions?

Hi all,

Did you know that I write articles for magazines? Often my topic is garden related but I do range over any subject I find interesting.

I have also written on prayer walking, visiting botanic gardens, training Karelian Bear Dogs to save Grizzly bears, African American bicycle soldiers in the 1890s, bats, the history of wine, the history of bicycles, rescuing aquarium fish and penguins from New Orleans hurricane, etc.

A friend recently told me that I am a prolific writer of articles, and that took me aback, and I like that way of looking at my writing. I did not think of myself that way.

I told her that I have 3 contracts for articles in 2010 and that I aim to write at least 6 articles for publication in 2010. Can you see I am never satisfied? That is not the ideal way to be!

Are you interested in writing for magazines?

One tip is to submit articles to magazines that you love to read.

If any of you have questions about writing for publication please send them to me and I will answer them as best I can.