1. Now that you have developed a specific story idea and done the market analysis necessary to sell this topic, you are ready to write query letters.
2. As you have noticed in Writer's Market, not all magazine editors require a query letter. However, to provide learning experience for this course, you will be assigned to write query letters regardless. (Whether they are actually sent is a decision you must make.)
3. You will be trying to convince the editor of three things: a) that you write well enough to successfully produce the article, b) that you have the necessary expertise/background to qualify as its author, and c) that you have done the required research/interviewing.
4. The query letter itself will serve as an example of your writing proficiency. Using poor grammar, punctuation, phrasing and misspellings will earn you a rejection slip as quickly as its anything. If you have a friend who has a command of the language, get him/her to copyedit your letters before mailing.
5. Somewhere in the body of your query letter, you should have a paragraph explaining your qualifications for writing the article. Perhaps you have a degree in the subject area. It is a hobby of yours, or you have studied and researched the topic for years.
6. Lastly, most editors want to see a game plan for your article. You should outline in a paragraph or two how you plan to research the article. Tell where and how you will get the facts, whom, you will interview and what angles you will emphasize.
7. If you are a photographer or know someone who can take the pictures for you, explain that you have the capabilities to produce graphics to coincide with the article. And last, ask to be allowed to write the article on speculation. Also, there is nothing wrong in asking approximately how many words the editor would like to see and what kinds of photos (s)he wants to accompany the story.
8. Be certain you have your telephone number highly visible. If your story is highly desirable and the magazine has a Wats telephone line, you may get an oral green light. If there are hours when you will not be available to receive calls, so indicate.
9. A different, unusual, weird or specialized angle is always the best way to sell a story. With this in mind, your lead paragraph should emphasize this angle. Therefore, one of the best ways to begin a query letter is to present a facsimile of the article lead as the first paragraph of the query letter. As a selling technique, you are using the editor's own techniques on him. Imitation is frequently one of the most efficient forms of flattery.
10. Please write three query letters to three different magazines on three different topics. E-mail them to your course instructor for evaluation. After they are returned, mail one or all to magazines. If you get a positive response, send a copy of the letter to your instructor.