Forty magazine editors tell all: what they look for in a story, how to approach an editor, and how best to break in to the market. The most important element, it seems, is the query letter. "The writer must put almost as much work into the query," says Fran Carpenter, a senior editor at Parade, "as he or she would put into the article." The query must be long enough to convey the gist of the story, but not so long as to reveal your writing faults. It should be addressed to a specific editor, and it should spell her name (and everything else) right. It should be infused with personality and passion, and it should convey to the editor that you have already done an extensive amount of reporting or research on the subject. Finally, "don't forget that your query is also a clip," advises Claudia Valentino, who has edited at Penthouse, American Health, and Popular Science. "The query is the first unedited writing sample a writer sends to an editor." --Jane Steinberg
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I strongly recommend that you buy this book. I couldn't put the book down. As useful as it is to read a book from a writer on how to publish magazine articles, it is even more useful to read a book that takes you into the minds of magazine editors. Each chapter is an interview with a different editor. It is like sitting down over a cup of coffee and having a very personal conversation with an editor. Each one reveals different insights into how to write for magazines the right way. Sometimes they differ on... more info
An honest look at what editors really want:
Besides providing a peek at the editor's point-of-view (always useful), this book also gives practical advice for people just starting out in the freelance business. This book has a great deal to offer and would not be a waste of money for anyone interested in writing for magazines.
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