Queries? Should you? How To, Etc. Resource Roundup Tuesday

Although to most of the world the word, query, to ask a question, among freelance writers it has a much more specific meaning. Dictionary.com defines it as:

an inquiry from a writer to an editor of a magazine, newspaper, etc., regarding the acceptability of or interest in an idea for an article, news story, or the like: usually presented in the form of a letter that outlines or describes the projected piece.

But this definition doesn’t tell the whole story. A query is really a sales piece. The writer is trying to sell an editor or agent on an idea in hopes of getting a contract and earning some money. It’s important that when you write a query you remember that you’re really writing a sales letter or sales proposal.

With that in mind, here are some blogs about queries that you may find helpful:

The Query Letter Wizard. Molli Nickell who has been a publisher and Time-Life editor, shares what she knows about getting published.
Guide to Literary Agents Editor’s Blog is written by Chuck Sambuchino. He covers much more than queries, all aimed at helping you get published.
QueryTracker provides good tips about queries and getting published.
John Hewitt has two excellent articles on queries: How to Write a Query Letter and The Query Trap. The latter may seem like heresy the first time you read it. Read it again – it’s well worth considering.
Maria Schneider, who used to be Editor-in-Chief of Writer’s Digest magazine, has a blog called Editor Unleashed. There she presents a guest post called Hate writing query letters? You’re not alone; another good read.

Do you have a favorite resource about queries? Tell us about it.

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Tagged as: blogs, freelance writing, queries, query

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Bruce September 30, 2009 at 8:08 am

Hi,

I have a query ( the other type ) and I may as well ask it here..

Yesterday was the first time I have ever approached an editor. I didn’t write a query letter; I just wrote an email. I had written an article and wanted to get it published. I searched magazine websites for appropriate names and addresses and found two. I emailed both editors, who both responded, and both requested to read my piece – which I duly sent.

The question is:

Is trying to pitch to two editors at the same, with the same piece, acceptable?

I’ve tried to find this answer myself and I have about 50/50 split between yes/no.

Can someone help me with this?

Thanks & regards.

Bruce.

Anne September 30, 2009 at 11:02 am: Hi Bruce.. I’m going to answer this as a post. http://tinyurl.com/ybo9eu7

Mary@Adventures In Freelancing October 1, 2009 at 9:35 am

Thanks for these great resources, Anne! I love Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell’s Query Letters That Rock. They’re always my go-to source. I see you recommend them too!
Mary@Adventures In Freelancing´s last blog ..Free Teleclasses From Linda Formichelli of The Renegade Writer