Taking the Question Out of Query Letters, Part 2

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

A few weeks ago, I shared the first of two posts on query letters. I’ve heard from several who admitted that they, too, hated writing the dreaded query letter. After all, we’re called creative for a reason, right?

Well, as one who received 63 rejections before ever having anything published, I can tell you, I got tired of sending out those creativity-stifling letters. But I didn’t quit. And one day the answer was finally a yes! If you’re serious about writing, you won’t quit, either. I often think: What if I had never sent out that 64^th query? Wow. I don’t even want to think about all I would have missed.

So, if you hate queries and rejections and the whole submission process, I have four words for you: Get used to it. It’s simply part of the process.

Learn How to Earn a Living as a Freelance Writer, Part Two—Query Letters & Emails

Last week I posted Part One of Learn How to Earn a Living as a FreelanceWriter. I gave you some of the basics you need to start your freelance writing career. This week, and in those to come, we’ll delve more deeply into the strategies and skills you need to earn money. 

The first skill you'll need to develop is the ability to write a compelling query. A query is basically a written pitch. As you advance as a freelance writer, you'll have to write less and less of these, because you'll have editors coming to you with assignments. But believe me, the skill you develop writing these will stand you in good stead.

Query Letter Anquish

How to Query

This simple concept has caused more anguish for writers than anything else around. But in the freelance world, it’s a necessary evil. Your queries may find their way to the editor's desk in hard copy format or email, but the principles are the same.

It may seem unfair that your writing ability is judged on a single letter or email, but that is the hard truth in this industry. And, having sat behind the editor’s desk, I now understand why. Invariably a poorly written query previews major problems in the writer’s submitted work. I have rarely found this to be the exception. But rather the rule.

The query letter serves two equally important purposes: 

• Get the assignment.
• Showcase your writing ability. 

Put the pieces together for success

The Parts of the Query  

• Salutation. Make certain you get a name – not Dear Editor. If you can’t find the name listed anywhere, call the office, just don’t let them connect you to the editor. Also, check the spelling and the GENDER. You don’t want to use the wrong pronoun. Here's a post I wrote about the Importance of a Name for more details.
• First Paragraph. You should start with your hook. Don’t use anything corny like, “Don’t miss out on this opportunity.” Instead, it should be a legitimate hook. You also need to reference what part of the magazine/website you’re pitching. Don’t say something like, “This idea would work well anywhere in your magazine.” It's a neon sign that screams amateur. Also give the approximate word count.
• Second Paragraph. This is where you pitch your idea. It’s good to include specifics—even bullet points—here.
• Third Paragraph. This is your bio, your credentials for writing this article. Be honest, but don’t over inflate your merits. As editors, we've seen it all and can spot a fake from a mile away. Also don’t criticize or run down yourself by saying something like, “I don’t have any writing credits, but I’m willing to learn.”

NOTE: If you don't have any writing credits, include experience you have that would make you a good fit for writing this article. Are you pitching an article about how to get kids ready for to go back to school? It would be important for the editor to know you have six kids in school or that you're a teacher.

Here are the basics you need to achieve these goals: 

• Keep it short. Your query letter/email should NOT exceed one page…ever! If you're not sure what one page would look like in an email, write it in a word document first. Then copy and paste it into the email.
• Use a standard font. Times New Roman 12 point font.
• Use standard formatting. For an e-query use block formatting (no paragraph indentions, single spaced, double space between paragraphs). For hard copy use traditional letter formatting (indented paragraphs, single spacing, no extra lines between paragraphs). 

Avoid Red Flags

Here are some red flags to avoid:

• Too long.
• Strange fonts.
• Improper or mixed formatting. 

Also, it’s vitally important not to waste time when sending a query. I don’t mean hurry to send it off, but rather, get to the point. Don’t waste the editor’s time with things that are understood, or have no bearing on the article you’re pitching.

Here are a couple of examples:

• Just say the word and I’ll send you the article. (I really doubt you'd be pitching something and then not agree to send it)
• I've spent hours researching this subject. (I would hope so) 

There are a lot of good resources on writing queries out there. The best I’ve ever seen is a screen cast,Anatomy of an pitch by Alton Gansky. He goes through an actual e-query and explains what works in it and why.

There is also a free e-book, How to Write a Great Query, by Noah Lukeman (You may remember another book he wrote, The First Five Pages). In this book he deals with queries for agents regarding book length manuscripts, but a lot of the tips are also relevant for freelancers—particularly the section on non-fiction books.

Now it's your turn. What experience have you had with queries? What questions do you have?

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie 

Get Started as a Freelance Writer—Part Two, Query Letters

Last week I posted an overview on starting your freelance writing career. This week we’ll delve more deeply into the strategies and skills you need to earn money. The first skill you need to develop is the ability to write a compelling query.

How to Query

This simple concept has caused more anguish for writers than anything else around. But it’s a necessary evil. Your queries may find their way to the editor's desk in hard copy format or email, but the principles are the same.

It may seem unfair that your writing ability is judged on a single letter or email, but that is the hard truth in this industry. And, having sat behind the editor’s desk, I now understand why. Invariably a poorly written query previews major problems in the writer’s submitted work. I have rarely found this to be the exception. But rather the rule.

The query letter serves two equally important purposes:

• Get the assignment.
• Showcase your writing ability. 

The Parts of the Query 

• Salutation. Make certain you get a name – not Dear Editor. If you can’t find the name listed anywhere, call the office, just don’t let them connect you to the editor. Also, check the spelling and the GENDER. You don’t want to use the wrong pronoun.
• First Paragraph. You should start with your hook. Don’t use anything corny, “Don’t miss out on this opportunity.” Instead, it should be a legitimate hook. You also need to reference what part of the magazine/website you’re pitching. Don’t say something like, “This idea would work well anywhere in your magazine.” This signals to the editor that you’re an amateur. Also give the approximate word count.
• Second Paragraph. This is where you pitch your idea. It’s good to include specifics—even bullet points—here.
• Third Paragraph. This is your bio, your credentials for writing this article. Be honest, but don’t over inflate your merits. As editors, we've seen it all and can spot a fake from a mile away. Also don’t criticize or run down yourself. “I don’t have any writing credits, but I’m willing to learn.”

Here are the basics you need to achieve these goals:

• Keep it short. Your query letter/email should NOT exceed one page…ever!
• Use a standard font. Times New Roman 12 point font.
• Use standard formatting. For an e-query use block formatting (no paragraph indentions, single spaced, double space between paragraphs). For hard copy use traditional letter formatting (indented paragraphs, single spacing, no extra lines between paragraphs).

Here are some red flags to look for:

• Too long.
• Strange fonts.
• Improper or mixed formatting.

Also, it’s vitally important not to waste time when sending a query. By this I don’t mean hurry to send it off, but rather, get to the point. Don’t waste the editor’s time with things that are understood (just say the word and I’ll send you the article) or have no bearing on the article you’re pitching.

There are a lot of good resources on writing queries out there. The best I’ve ever seen is a screen cast by Alton Gansky. He goes through an actual e-query and explains what works in it and why.

There is also a free e-book, How to Write a Great Query, by Noah Lukeman (You may remember another book he wrote, The First Five Pages). In this book he deals with queries for agents regarding book length manuscripts, but a lot of the tips are also relevant for freelancers—particularly the section on non-fiction books.

Now it's your turn. What experience have you had with queries? What questions do you have?

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie 

Industry Submission Standards—Part Two

Last week, in Part One,  I shared general submission standards for our industry. This week I’ll share how to handle an email query professionally. Ten years ago, virtually all submissions were handled through snail mail (that’s with an envelope and a stamp). Now they take place through the Internet. There are good things about that—the time factor has improved slightly. And not so good things—with formal letter writing obsolete, it’s hard to know how to present yourself as a professional without appearing to be part of the Stone Age.

Query Letters/Emails
This is the correspondence when you are INQUIRING about an assignment (this applies to both non-fiction and fiction). Even though you aren’t typing this on a real piece of paper, it’s important not to forget everything you learned.

• Include all your contact information at the top of the email
• Use a polite salutation (like Dear Mr. Jessup)
• Make certain you have the correct name

NOTE: You can check this on the organization’s website. It is also a good idea to make certain you have the correct gender as well. As I’ve mentioned in the past, it really irritates me to be referred to as a Mr. when I’m a woman.

• Keep your correspondence focused and sharp
• End politely (Thank you for your consideration)

Here are a couple of things NOT to do.

• Just because you don’t have a specific page length in an email, keep it as short as one typewritten page. Being long winded won’t get you a job. All editors are incredibly busy and don’t have time to read long dissertations.
• Do not expect an editor to take time to click on a link. What I’m talking about are links to online portfolios or your personal website. It is fine to let the editor know that you can send them links to articles that have been published (these are known as clips). But unless requested, don’t assume they have time to visit web pages to see if you can write. That is part of the purpose of this correspondence. As a part of your ending signature it is acceptable to include a personal link or two.

Next week I’ll share how to format a cover letter and a proposal.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie