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"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau |
                   
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How do I write a query letter? How do I know if a piece is good enough to be published? These are questions that can paralyze writers taking those important first steps in publishing. In reality, writing is just like walking. You put one foot in front of the other, and go. When you begin, you take it slow as you learn how to query, outline, and submit manuscripts. Before you know it you’ll be running. It can be scary at first, but you’ll learn if you just try. In my workshops, I highlight that there is no one way to begin publishing your articles. You’ll hear different stories from each writer gathered in a room. Each followed his or her own path and learned from their journey. For most of us, the road has not been straight and easy, but involved some up-hill climbing and a few unexpected twists and turns. Keep going, even when the road is rocky. You’ll get there. I’ve added this Writers Market section as an aid to new writers who don’t know where to start. It contains:
Work to get in touch with your strengths as a writer, especially as you begin. Know what you are good at and what you probably should leave alone for the time being. Are you a fiction or non-fiction writer? Is your writing inspirational or are you better at opinion pieces? What do you love? That’s your passion. Some people dream of writing for the "glossies," high profile national publications. But you can be a successful writer in regional publications, too. What are your writing hopes, dreams, and goals? My interests and strengths fall heavily in the category of non-fiction writing. I love interviewing, researching, and learning new things. I love internalizing information and letting it speak to me in the writing process. I find that through this process, the article writes itself. For me, knowing myself includes trusting in my writing process and letting it flow. What’s your writing process?
I pick up magazines in the doctor’s office, samples at writer’s conferences, and sometimes study the magazine rack at bookstores. There are some publications that I immediately put back. I can tell by the tone and the writing style that we’re not a good fit. Often, I can even tell by the ads. They’re a clue to the demographics of the magazine. The first articles I submitted were to publications that I read on a regular basis. I was familiar with the tone and the voice of the publication. I knew the types of articles they used. These included regional, parenting, and religious publications. If after reviewing an issue of a magazine, I would never consider ordering a subscription, it means the market and I have little in common, so I move on. That’s my rule of thumb. What’s yours? What attracts you to wanting to write for a specific market? What turns you off? It’s worth thinking about.
Keep up to date with the markets. In the field of publishing, change is constant. Editors move. Publications are sold. That means reading market columns and networking with other writers. There are a wide variety of anthologies, like the Chicken Soup series, that are mentioned in writing newsletters and networks. Get connected so you’ll know what’s out there. This is another good reason to study magazines and publications when you come upon them. You learn what is being published and by whom. Below are a number of market sources. Some are for Christian writers. Some are for the general writing market.
Straight-shooters
approach to querying Interested in writing for "The Revwriter Resource?" My Resource Writers' Guidelines page has all the information you'll need to submit your work for review.
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