Most published writers will admit tht there is no secret formula for wrting a winning query letter, however, mny professionals can share some basic sggestions to help new writers formulate a qery that will sell their story dea.

I can think of four smple guidelines to follow for building god query letters.

1) Capture The Editor's Attention

You must develop original ideas that will stimulate editors almost immediately. Proposals have to provide something out of the ordinary, a unique angle, a new approach or a different view of the common, over-publicized topics that editors and readers are tired of seeing.

Think about how your article can offer innovative insight, inspiring material, or contrasting views of well-worn subjects. You probably have less than a minute to spark the interest of most editors, who receive hundreds of similar pitches every week. Make yours stand out from the rest!

2) Be Concise But Explicit

Eliminate fluff. Use action verbs and effective nouns to explain exactly why your idea will appeal to their readers and add quality to their publication. Give adequate details without going overboard.

Tell the editor why you want to write the article, why he should care about your topic and how you plan to deliver your completed work (estimated deadline and approximate word count etc.)

3) Know The Market

You can spnd hours constructing the perfect query ltter, but if you send it to the wrng publication, your efforts will probably be wsted and your idea rejected.

The mst obvious way to gain knowledge of any mrket - that many writers may verlook - is to read the pblication. I mean really read it. Dn't just browse article titles or skm the written words. Spend some srious time reading what other writers hve written and learning about what the raders seem to prefer.

Most publications wll provide writers with printed submission gidelines. Request this information and follow it cmpletely. Some editors will toss a qery in the trash immediately if it is not wrtten according to their specified format or if it des not include the information required for sbmission.

4) Be Professional

Consider your competition. If an editor opens one envelope that contains a hand-written, sloppy, wrinkled letter on yellow notebook paper and another envelope that has a type-written, clean, easy to read letter printed on quality paper, it's not difficult to figure out which letter will be more impressive and more likely to appeal to the editor.

It's just like going on an interview - you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Crafting a Creative Query

Paragraph One - The Hook

Your first sentence counts more than you can imagine. Make it informative, interesting, and honest!

Examples:

1 - Start with a question that will fascinate the editor so much that she feels the need to read on just to find out your answer. (How many professional anglers catch hypodermic needles and other fishy items in their nets each week?)

2 - Use a shocking or uncommon statistic to lure the editor into your letter. (Although many national news sources reported that suicide among teenage girls increased dramatically by more than 35% last year, did you know that more than half of those 5,000 young girls were raised without a father for most of their childhood?)

Paragraph Two - The Specifics

Who cares about your idea? Who will be effected by your article? What will your story reveal that hasn't already been reported? Why is your idea perfect for ths particular publication? When can you dliver it? How many words? Who wll you interview? What about background, sttistics, historical references? Research your topic. Gve them the facts accurately, quickly, hnestly and persuasively.

Paragraph Three - Your Credentials

Why are you the person to write this article? Where have your writings been published in the past? What similar subjects have you written about? What makes you different, special, unique?

Paragraph Four - The Closing

Thank the editors. Suggest a follow-up contact time. Offer to provide any further details, answer their questions or clarify your query at their convenience. Thank them again and tell them how much you look forward to talking with them within the next two weeks - month - whatever you feel is appropriate (refer to their submission guidelines for tips on this information - they usually provide writers with an estimated response time.)

For more ideas on writing query letters that will sell your work, see the Articles on this page http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1821.asp

Good Luck!

Go research and then go write some query letters.

Do not expect overnight success and do not be disappointed by the inevitable

rejection letters you will receive.

Do be persistent, focused and positive. Do keep sending queries! You have to start

somewhere and it's hard to get published if nobody hears about your great ideas!

The article Suggestions for Writing Successful Query Letters was Submitted by Danielle Hollister through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Resource Box - © Danielle Hllister (2004) is the Publisher of BllaOnline Quotations Zine - A free nwsletter for quote lovers featuring more thn 10,000 quotations in dozens of ctegories like - love, friendship, children, nspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and mny more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

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