The more letters you send out, the better your chances of receiving an assignment and getting published. Joining the 2007 Inkthinker Query Challenge will help you increase the volume of your queries, but what about increasing the quality?
Even if you send out 25 queries a day, if they’re not what editors are looking for, it’s not going to get you closer to publication. A solid query should demonstrate your writing skills, show that you’re familiar with your target publication and its audience, and give the editor a sense of your ability and experience. But there are also a few key elements that editors look for, and that they’ll want to see in your letters.
Here are some resources I recommend to help you develop your query-writing skills and get the assignment time after time.
Books
Sample Queries
Linda Formichelli, co-author of The Renegade Writer and Query Letters that Rock, offers a free packet of successful query letters. Just send a blank e-mail to queries@renegadewriter.com. The auto-reply will contain 12 examples of query letters that landed assignments.
Articles
- From the Usual to the Unconventional: Query Letters that Get Results by Marlene Caroselli
- Write Query Letters that Sell by Michelle Lee
- Writing the Query Letter by Anne Wayman
- How to Write a Query Letter by John Hewitt
There are tons of other query resources out there. What’s worked for you? Leave suggestions, stories, and links in the comments.
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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King. All rights reserved.
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
Comments on this entry are closed.
Kristen:
Well… Although it is already 4pm and I was starting to slump slightly, I sense a rejuvenation taking place – a new sense of purpose and direction, a surge of energy and enthusiasm…
Oh, sorry – I think I just got carried away by all the positive vibes floating around in your blog.
Hey, great stuff – not just good, solid information and resources (thanks for that) but done with a sense of humor and a bit of wit.
Who could ask for more?
Thanks for the great site,
tim
http://medicalmigrant.blogspot.com/
Nice resources there–thanks!! :)
Hey, Kristen,
Good luck with this challenge. I’m really hoping a few of my coaching clients will sign up for this.
Queries are so intimidating to so many writers. This challenge should make query writing a bit easier with your support.
Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach
http://www.workingwriterscoach.com
Thanks for the great links Kristen! I have a few query letters that I’ve used in the past, but it’s always good to have different variations to choose from depending on your market.
I’m with you on Regenade Writers- a great resource. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting for delivery of Query Letters that Rock (it seems to keep getting lost). Anyone looking for a few more great articles on writing query letters, check out my post First Query Letter of the Year. Cheers, Liz
I’m glad Suzanne set up this blog chain. Your site is well organized and packed with useful information.
I can see why you’re a finalist in the WD Best Writer’s Website Contest.
I’m bookmarking this page.
It’s true: sending out quality queries trumps sending out as many queries as possible any day. I try to respond to as many new magazine ads I come across when they simply ask you to send them some clips and a resume so that they come to me with assignment ideas. Unless I really think I have a great idea, it’s usually a waste of time to try to guess what the publication wants to publish — no matter how well I think I know the magazine. This, aside from waiting for those checks in the mail, is the most frustrating thing as a freelancer!
Isabel
http://writerwannabehack.blogspot.com
Quality trumps quantity, but if you labor for weeks over a single letter, you’re not doing yourself any favors, either. It’s important to find the right balance.
kk