How a Writer Can Stay Above the Freelance Slush Pile

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

After reading the title, you may be wondering exactly what the slush pile is in publishing. The slush pile refers to manuscripts that have been sent to editors without being asked for. These are called unsolicited manuscripts. Many of these are written with very little thought as to whether or not these have been sent to the right markets or without studying the magazine and the craft enough for the article to present the standard of writing the magazine is looking for. 

Obviously, it is not a good thing to find your work in the slush pile. There are things you can do to increase your chances of not landing in that mountain of paper on the editor’s desk. Let’s look at a few of them. 

6 Tips to Stay Above the Writing Slush Pile

1. Send a well-written query letter. The query letter is the first sample the editor has of your writing. Even though it is just a tool for introducing yourself, your writing, and your idea to the editor, you need to make sure the writing is your best. Otherwise, you will find yourself at the top of the slush pile where you’d rather not be. If you don’t know how to write a query letter, search thewriteconversation.com for step-by-step instructions or email me and I will send them to you.

2. Read the guidelines for the magazine and follow them carefully. When you have completed your article, read them one more time to make sure you followed them exactly.

3. Check and double check your grammar and sentence structure. It matters.

4. Reread your query letter so you know you are sending the editor what you promised. Many plan their issue around the promises of their writers.

5. Make sure your beginning is compelling and will make the editor want to read more. Often we make the mistake of wanting to “tell” editors about our articles when an interesting active introduction will keep them reading.

6. Remember, learning to be a good writer is a process and in the beginning can get a little frustrating. Don’t get frustrated by a rejection. Many people can proudly paper their offices with them! But as time passes by, they will become fewer and the acceptances will far outnumber the rejections. A rejection is simply a “No thank you, I can’t use it at this time.” If an editor scribbles a helpful note on your rejection, take it to heart and work hard in that area. Don’t give up. If God has called you to be a writer, He will equip you for the task.

Do you have an interesting first article experience? Would you share it with us?

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Linda Gilden is an experienced, bestselling writer, speaker, award-winning editor, marketer, and speaking coach, ghostwriter, and writing coach. Author of 40 books and 2,000+ magazine articles, Linda appreciates a great story. She believes with our stories, we can change the world one word at a time and loves to encourage others to do that through writing coaching and personal tutoring. Her newest book was released in November: TRADING SHADOWS: EXCHANGING A LIFE OF SECRETS, FEAR, AND DOUBT FOR A LIFE OF FREEDOM WITH THE ALMIGHTY.