Don't Fall Into The
Query Letter Quandary!
An Interview with John Wood, Author,
How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters
By Shery Ma Belle Arrieta
He wrote the book on how to write killer query letters. Now author John Wood shares his 17 years of working as
an editor. During those years, more than 30,000 query letters landed on his desk. And in this interview, he
lets us in on the things that make or break query letters, and how you, the writer, can get past the editor's desk
and be published.
*A Query Letter That Stands Out
Because most queries look and read the same, your query letter must stand out. John offers some advice to make
editors notice your query right away.
"Devise a scintillating title and subtitle for your idea in the style of the magazine you're pitching," he says.
"Center it and boldface it right up front after your initial introductory paragraph. Use bullets, numbered
lists, indented paragraphs, italics or even boxes to set off important elements. Don't go
overboard, but do something to make your letter stand out from the pack.
"My former editor demanded that I do this whenever I proposed an idea to him because with a head and deck at
the top of the page, he could envision instantly what it would look like in the magazine," he explains. "I
have used this technique ever since when approaching editors and agents, and have been
told by more than one agent that my queries were the best they have ever seen. One agent devoted his entire column in Writer's
Digest to a query letter from an unknown writer that resulted in a $250,000 advance for a first novel. The writer's
technique was exactly as I have outlined above."
John also shares that your query letter should be no more than a page or a page and a half and should contain
a brief introduction as to why you're writing that specific magazine. Also mention your expertise or interest
in your proposed topic, and include one or two ideas, presented in decks and heads. In your closing paragraph,
briefly mention who you are, your publication credits and how you can be reached.
Include one or two clips of your writing, but only if your clips are similar to your proposed topic. There's no
point in sending a cooking article clip if you're querying a travel article!
John also adds that you should be passionate and show real enthusiasm for your proposed idea.
"You can't believe how many writers just go through the motions in their queries," he shares. "I can tell they've
just shotgunned the same ho-hum letter out to a dozen mags."
*Most Common and Crucial Mistakes Writers Make
When Writing and Submitting Queries
"Of all the ones that I rejected, I found that the writers were making the same simple mistakes or omissions," John
reveals. "Unfortunately, reject letters never tell you what you did wrong, so most writers just continue to make
the same mistakes."
According to John, there are 4 common mistakes writers commit when writing and submitting query letters:
Mistake # 1. Sending your query to the wrong editor.
"This is crucial," says John. "Call the magazine, ask for 'Editorial,' and ask which editor handles the subject
you're submitting.
"If you're sending a query for a health article, ask which editor handles health features. If you're sending a pitch
for the New Products department, ask which editor oversees the New Products department, and so on," he advises. "If
the receptionist gives you the editor-in-chief's name or says, 'Just send it in,' do not accept this. Demand a
specific name for your specific topic. If she can't or won't, ask to speak to her supervisor."
John also shares his experience on how he dealt with writers who approached him and pitched story ideas to him
when he worked as an editor. According to John, writers who took their time to do their homework, learn that he
was the right editor for their proposed story and then approach him directly by query
letter always got top priority.
"Unfortunately, less than 5-10 percent of all submissions arrive to me--or any editor--that way," he reveals.
"Writers who act in this manner earn my respect and I will assume they are professionals and treat them
accordingly. Those who don't do any preparation, send queries out indiscriminately to any name
on the masthead, and send a standard query letter, will not garner much interest and will be relegated to the slush pile."
Mistake # 2. Failing to narrow your story angle.
"Don't send a query about horseback riding," John says. "Send one about horseback riding for blind black women
lesbians along the Malibu coast during Kwanzaa. I'm exaggerating, but I guarantee you that a query like the
first example will go nowhere; one focused to the degree of the second example will find a market somewhere."
Mistake # 3. Not studying the magazine thoroughly before querying.
According to John, you can write an appropriate pitch that will catch an editor's eye only if you know what a
magazine wants and doesn't wants, who its readers are and what kind of style in
which its articles are written.
Mistake # 4. Forgetting to include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with the query.
*5 Things You Should Never Do When Writing A Query Letter
If you want to see your query transform into a byline and a paycheck, follow John's advice:
- Don't be presumptuous. Avoid even an appearance of cockiness or arrogance.
- Don't be sketchy. Outline your idea in sufficient depth to give the editor a clear picture of your idea
and what you intend to do.
- Don't offer an article on spec.
- Never apologize or give a lame reason for wanting to write your article.
- Don't even think about querying by phone.
*And If You're An Amateur, Don't Give Yourself Away!
If you've never been published before, John warns you shouldn't mention it in your query letter.
"You must never give the appearance that you are a beginner or an amateur," he says. "If you present
yourself in a professional manner, the editor can only assume you're a pro and will treat you like one.
"I have given many assignments over the years to writers who I thought were seasoned pros and then found out
later that they were just starting out," he continues. "That's fine. But once you
let the cat out of the bag and make a slip of the pen ('This is my first query to
a magazine'), it's an automatic rejection. Few editors will knowingly work with beginners.
"If you have been published before, but only to small newsletters or church flyers or local newspapers, do
not mention this or attach such clips," he adds.
*The Query-able Stuff
You don't need to query every idea you think is publishable.
"The only articles that do not and should not require a query are humor, essays, poems, short fiction, and
puzzles/games. These particular types of pieces are subjective and cannot be assigned; you simply have to
write them and send them in," John explains.
*Shotgun Querying and the Waiting Game
So, is it acceptable to send multiple queries on the same subject? John says yes.
"Shotgun the sucker to as many editors as you can. You're the writer; you're the one who has to pay your
bills while waiting (sometimes for months) to hear back from each publication," he explains. "Editors are notorious
for not replying at all-- even if you include an SASE. The obvious exception would be an idea
that is focused to a particular magazine; in that case you should only send it to that place. But that doesn't mean you couldn't
rewrite it and refocus the same general idea to several different similar magazines and send them all out at the same time.
"One lesson I've learned: Do not mention that your query is a simultaneous submission," John advises. He once
thought it was necessary until one editor got offended and rejected his query. That editor, according to John,
only wanted articles "specifically tailored to my magazine."
"My idea was a unique travel idea that was certainly appropriate to his publication, but to many others as
well," John explains.
After you've shotgunned your idea to as many editors as possible, it's time for you to wait it out.
"Wait about a month, then follow-up by e-mail," John advises. "Never phone unless you've worked with the editor
before. If still no response, assume it's a reject and move on."
*10 Specific Tips to Help You Get Your Query Letter Accepted (and Make You a Published Author Eventually)
John sums it up:
1. Be professional. Make sure every letter is error-free, is addressed to the right editor, and includes a SASE.
2. Be new. Offer a fresh idea and set it off with a centered, boldfaced head and subhead.
3. Be provocative. Pull the reader in with a stunning lead.
4. Be creative. Lay out your letter in a unique way and show your writing style. Don't write formally! Write the
way you talk, write in your own voice. You have only one chance to impress the editor. If you go down, go down in
flames, baby.
5. Be focused. Narrow your story angle as much as you can.
6. Be customized. Slant your idea to each individual publication as much as you can.
7. Be multifaceted. Give each editor more than one reason to say yes: Offer more than one place for your article,
more than one thing to peg it to, more than one way to structure it, and more than one element to accompany it.
8. Be realistic. Instill confidence that you're reliable and your project is doable.
9. Be qualified. Include appropriate clips, credits, and qualifications.
10. Be passionate. Show enthusiasm for your project.
BUY
THE BOOK BY CLICKING HERE.
Copyright © 2001 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta.
Originally appeared in The Published Writer, 2001. Reprinted with
permission.
Shery Ma Belle Arrieta is the publisher and editor of The e-Writer's Place (http://ewritersplace.com) and content manager
of The Published Writer (http://thepublishedwriter.com).
Contact her at iamshery@msc.net.ph.
