I hope this inspires everybody...
After looking at sample query letters in Writer's Market and Writing Articles About the World Around You, I did a query letter for an article I've had in mind for a while. Yesterday, I picked my target magazine, and looked at their writer's guidelines on line. It gave an e-mail address for sending queries. I sent my query at 8:00 am. In the afternoon, the editor wrote back, said she was intrigued by my idea, and could I send her some clips!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, this presented a problem, because I haven't been published since 1981!! So, I wrote her back and said so, and after several e-mails back and forth, she offered to take my article on spec but has it earmarked for their October issue, at a more than fair price (given my unproven status!). I am still stunned by this. I was not expecting a response for at least a month, but to have the job in hand by dinnertime was beyond exciting!!!!
I know this is a fluke, but I hope this gives hope and inspiration to everyone out there!!! If I can do, ANYONE can!!!
The article will be about the diagnosis and treatment of a cancerous tumor my horse had in her eye a few years ago. It will be a first-person account of my personal experience, but also an in-depth look at various treatments available and the propensity of certain breeds to these kinds of tumors (Appaloosas [which my horse is], Paints, Pintos, draft breeds). I offered it to Appaloosa Journal. I am so excited I can barely breathe!!!!
Everything I've read said your opening line/paragraph really needs to hook the editor in, and I think mine did that. In fact, she stated as much.
I had to share. Thanks for listening!!!!!
After looking at sample query letters in Writer's Market and Writing Articles About the World Around You, I did a query letter for an article I've had in mind for a while. Yesterday, I picked my target magazine, and looked at their writer's guidelines on line. It gave an e-mail address for sending queries. I sent my query at 8:00 am. In the afternoon, the editor wrote back, said she was intrigued by my idea, and could I send her some clips!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, this presented a problem, because I haven't been published since 1981!! So, I wrote her back and said so, and after several e-mails back and forth, she offered to take my article on spec but has it earmarked for their October issue, at a more than fair price (given my unproven status!). I am still stunned by this. I was not expecting a response for at least a month, but to have the job in hand by dinnertime was beyond exciting!!!!
I know this is a fluke, but I hope this gives hope and inspiration to everyone out there!!! If I can do, ANYONE can!!!
The article will be about the diagnosis and treatment of a cancerous tumor my horse had in her eye a few years ago. It will be a first-person account of my personal experience, but also an in-depth look at various treatments available and the propensity of certain breeds to these kinds of tumors (Appaloosas [which my horse is], Paints, Pintos, draft breeds). I offered it to Appaloosa Journal. I am so excited I can barely breathe!!!!
Everything I've read said your opening line/paragraph really needs to hook the editor in, and I think mine did that. In fact, she stated as much.
I had to share. Thanks for listening!!!!!
