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Updated April 2000

FINDING MARKETS FOR YOUR IDEA

  • Start with magazines you already know; tailor your idea to them.
  • Study listings in Writer's Market and Writer's Nortwest Handbook
  • Ask prospects and clients about magazines--or newsletters-in their industries.
  • Write to magazines for writer's guidelines and a sample copy; include SASE.

    QUERY LETTERS

  • One page
  • Clear statement of purpose in first paragraph.
  • Catchy title
  • Summary of points you'll cover -- can be a list of "bullet" points
  • How you'll present the articvle: interviews, resources, stories, lists..
  • Relevant business details: proposed length, suggested photos or artwork...
  • Your special qualifications
  • Closing statement or question: Ask for the sale!

    • Before mailing the query, double-check that:

    __The query is free from grammatical or typographical errors
    ___You've spelled the editor's name correctly--and that the editor is still there!
    ___Details are correct: editor's title, magazine name, address, etc.
    ___You've included SASE

    A sample letter is shown.

    The following was modified from a presentation by Ann Price (2131 Fifth Ave. West, Seattle, WA 98119 (206-285-3518) a number of years ago. It was a discussion at a Home Economics meeting on how to get yourself published.

    Send mail to Food Resource Nutrition and Food Management, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. OSU Disclaimer URL Home: http://food.oregonstate.edu/