Publishing non-fiction, part II - Writing the Query Letter

So you have an idea and you've targeted a magazine. Now you want to write a query letter to the appropriate editor to pitch your story.

First of all, there are tons of resources out there on writing queries. Books, web sites and magazines all have tips and advice. If you've never written a query letter, take some time and look at these.

Remember, first impressions count and your query is the first impression an editor gets of you. Be accurate and professional.

I follow a basic outine for my queries.

My opening paragraph is just a one-sentence introduction.
My second paragraph is two or three sentences about the subject and angle.
Then the proposal.
Credentials.
Close.

Pretty simple.

To open, I start with something like:
Dear Mr. XXX:
I have an article I think is suited for Business Success magazine.

Then for the subject/angle:
In an industry that is flat, John Doe, owner of Automotive Sounds, has experience double-digit growth for three years straight. At 24, he is Petersburg's youngest success story, but it wasn't easy. He had to shut his business down seven years ago so he could finish high school.

Proposal:
I'd like to profile Doe in a 1,500 word article I've tentatively titled "Youthful Success." The article will focus on Doe's business success, which is due in large part to a ferocious focus on customer relations and strategic alliances with manufactueres. He has already agreed to be interviewed. Other's to be included in the article are his father, who loaned him the money at 16, and his former high school principal. I'll be able to include art with the story.

Credentials:
My articles have appeared in more than 100 magazines and I've written business profiles for Memphis Agenda, Entreprenuer, and Mobile Electronics. A couple of clips are enclosed.

Close:
Thank you for taking time to consider my proposal. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Clay Morgan

Simple. To the point. One page only. Enough information to let the editor know what I'm thinking.

Under credentials, if you have never been published, that's OK. DO NOT SAY SO. Just outline other credentials. If you are writing about business and have a business degree, say so. If you are writing about a martial art and are a black belt, say so. If you have a couple of clips, include them -- photocopies are fine, but not print outs of manuscript.

Unless it's an e-mail query, always include a SASE.

And, use a good, formal business letter format, for this is what a query letter is. You want a go ahead, or better yet, an assignment!

Don't be cutsey. Don't rely on gimmicks. Don't tell the editor what other's think of your idea. Don't include irrelevant information.

You want the editor to realize through this letter that:
a) you can write succinctly.
b) you are familiar with his or her magazine.
c) you can focus an idea so that it is appropriate for his or her magazine.
d) you are qualified to write the article.

Finally, I want to enourage research again. Go to the library or get online and read a few sample query letters. Sometimes, magazines such as Writer's Digest and The Writer will do articles on query letters. Study it, understand why they work, then go forth.