We have our first Renegade Writer Makeover candidate!
We’d like to introduce you to RW Makeover candidate #1, Jennifer Applin of Ohio. She sent us a funny, heartfelt “newsletter” explaining why she needed a makeover. (Check it out here. You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download here.) It didn’t hurt that she included pictures of her four cute kids, as well as a strategically placed copy of the Renegade Writer in the foreground. Hey, we’re suckers for product placements, especially our own! As a new writer, she needs help with managing her time, especially since she’s juggling writing with childcare. How often should she be marketing herself? What should she focus on first? Is it reasonable to expect that she can crack her goal market, national parenting publications? How can she effectively conduct interviews when she has such a narrow amount of time to work? Oh yeah, and how on earth can she get that office looking neater? (Although I believe a messy desk is a sign of genius!)
We’re excited to work with Jennifer. We think she has a lot of potential and some challenges that a lot of our readers can relate to, so stay tuned. Right now we’re working with her to develop a plan of attack, and then we’ll put our experts to work.
As for candidates #2 and #3, we’re still trying to narrow them down. A lot of this project is matching the right candidate with the experts we have. We also want to make sure we have writers on board to whom our readers can relate. With so many fantastic entries, you guys really made it hard for us! We really appreciate your patience and hope it will be worth the wait. [db]
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Oct 16, 2006 News you can use, RW Makeover
Congratulations to Jennifer! There can’t be a more hugely deserving candidate for the Renegade Writer Makeover! Loved the newsletter too!
Holy guacomole!
Congratulations, Jennifer!
I’m sure you will make the most of your Renegade Writer Makeover.
Go, Jen. Go, Jen. It’s your birthday. It’s your birthday!
In the writing (and makeover) spirit,
Christina Katz
Jennifer, congrats to you. I am impressed that you even managed to get your entry in on time with 4 kids in the house! Enjoy your makeover. -Tracy
Thanks so much for the congrats! I’m thrilled and honored to be chosen for such a GREAT opportunity! I was actually worried that they’d take one look at the first picture of my entry and think I was beyond hope. Let the makeover begin!
Way to go, Jen! I applaud your determination (wow – four little ones!) and loved your newsletter. Especially the “before” and “after” photos. Very funny. Can’t wait to hear how the makeover goes. Good luck!
CONGRATS JEN!!!!!!
I absolutely LOVED your article! You totally deserve this!!!!
Good luck with everything!!!
Sarah Leigh
Congrats Jennifer. A great letter. Good luck with your makeover!
Sorry about double-posting, but Jennifer’s application letter (which is just awesome!) just made me think of a question. The photos in her letter were so effective… do you writers out there ever incorporate photos into query letters? As Jennifer says in her letter, sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words…
Mark, I’ve never included a photo with a query letter, mainly because I’ve had few reasons to do so, but also because I avoid sending attachments (unless I’ve worked with the editor before, of course). I’d simply mention in my query letter that I have photos should the editor want to see them. I don’t write for shelter magazines, so I’d be interested to hear from writers who do if they ever send photos, scouting shots and the like.
I look forward to hearing more about your journey. The makeover has been awarded to a very deserving writer.