I offer query critiquing, and one of my recent clients kindly gave me permission to post her before-and-after here.
The writer’s original query is below — then my general comments and, finally, the revised version taking my comments into consideration.
What do you think of the original and revised queries? Is there anything you would have done …… Click here to keep reading…
Jan 26, 2012 Query letters
A trade editor just told you the article you turned in was one of the best he’s ever read. A corporate writing client let you know that you’re the fastest writer she’s ever worked with. The editor at a consumer pub gave you kudos on your researching ability.
You do the happy dance, thank the client, …… Click here to keep reading…
Jan 12, 2012 Advice, Marketing, Query letters
A key part of a successful query letter is the paragraph or two where you tell the editor who you are and why you’re the perfect person to write the idea you’re pitching. If you’re lucky, it will be, “I’ve written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and GQ. As for my experience …… Click here to keep reading…
Dec 19, 2011 Advice, Query letters
I hear it almost every day from the new writers I mentor and teach in my e-course:
“I don’t have any clips, so how can I break in?”
“Does this article I wrote for a content mill count as a clip?”
“My clips are old. Can I use them?”
“Can’t I just write an article and …… Click here to keep reading…
Dec 5, 2011 Advice, Marketing, Query letters
A couple of weeks ago Susan Johnston brought up a great question in the Comments section of my blog post How to Sell More Articles By Being Yourself: How do I feel about using an editor’s first name in a query versus addressing the editor as Mr./Ms.?
I usually address an editor by first name, but …… Click here to keep reading…
Dec 1, 2011 Advice, Editors, Query letters
