Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments by Jenna Glatzer
This is a great book for those of you beginning a freelance career. Glatzer provides tips on starting your freelance business, a glossary of terms, and sample queries to emulate.
One of the best tips, I think, is to avoid the generic submission email when sending your query. Start with the submission guidelines for the magazine you are targeting. Follow the word count, topic needs, and time line information to the letter. If you can’t follow instructions when you are querying, why would the editor think you can follow them in her assignment? But, when it is time to send your query, target the appropriate editor by name and by specific email address.
There are a few ways to find the right email address. Glatzer provides tips for constructing the address if you can’t find it. But, before you start creating email addresses based on common conventions, put a few of your investigative skills to work.
- Check the masthead. Some publications print email addresses here.
- Visit freelance resource sites such as Writer’s Market or Media Bistro. You’ll need to join these sites to get the most info, and most of the information is in the fee-based sections.
- Search for the editor’s name in Google or your favorite search engine.
- When all else fails, call the magazine and ask for the appropriate contact information.
Happy freelancing!
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