Query That Rocked for WomenEntrepreneur.com
What better way to help aspiring freelance writers break in than to give them examples of how other writers have done it? I’ve posted a few successful queries of my own here, here, here, and here, and now I’ll be posting queries from other writers as well.
This query, which sold to WomenEntrepreneur.com, comes from Susan Johnston, a freelance writer, blogger, and author of the e-book The Urban Muse Guide to Online Writing Markets. Here’s what she says about the query:
It was a blind query and two years ago that website felt like a huge stretch for me, but the editor wrote back within a few days and helped me mold this into a clip I could be really proud of. I came up with the idea after attending a Ladies Who Launch event and hearing Emma March (the entrepreneur mentioned in this piece) speak on the panel. I also interviewed Emma for a profile I wrote about her, so that’s how I got the quote used in this query.
Susan, thanks for letting us publish your Query That Rocked! Readers, if you have a successful magazine query you’d like to share with our readers, please e-mail it to me at lindaformichelli@gmail.com. Also, if you’re looking for even more examples of queries, check out Diana Burrell’s and my book The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters That Rock. [lf]
THE QUERY:
WomenEntrepeneur.com
Subject: Query: Turning Setbacks into Creative Successes
Dear Eve,
Given the current economic climate, many would-be entrepreneurs are likely putting their business plans on the back burner and waiting for better times. Unfortunately, that time may never come. It’s rare that every aspect of your business falls into place as you’d planned, but sometimes those unexpected bumps in the road can lead to an even better idea.
That’s exactly what happened to Emma March when the bank rejected her application for a small business loan. Initially, she was furious, but when she thought about it, she realized that she could start the clothing boutique she envisioned without a storefront.
“I could wait for some money to fall out of the sky or I could just come up with a mobile concept,” March says. That was the inspiration behind Gracie J., March’s mobile boutique. March works out of her house and sells clothing and accessories at private parties and events, but she hopes to expand into a storefront one day.
Using case studies from Emma March and other female entrepreneurs, this article will show how these women have turned setbacks into creative successes. It could focus on keeping costs down by launching a mobile business, or it could include a broader range of women-owned businesses that have bounced back from disappointment with creative ideas. [NOTE: the editor preferred the second option, but I figured I'd give her the choice.]
My writing has appeared in print and online publications including [...] I’m including a list of writing samples below.
Thanks for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.
Best,
Susan
This is really helpful! When I started writing for magazines, reading other writers’ queries was the quickest way to learn what editors were looking for, and how to structure my proposals. I still have my packet of Renegade Writer queries (Linda gave out a free set a few years ago!) and I referred often to my first Renegade Writer book. BTW, if anyone is interested in reading a query I wrote and successfully sold to one of the major parenting magazines, email me: Teri@Cettinaworks.com and I’ll email it to you. It’s a freebie.
Teri Cettina
CashInOnYourKids.wordpress.com