3. Don't offer an article on spec.

4. Never apologize or give a lame reason for wanting to write your article.

5. 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, Wood warns you shouldn't mention it in your query letter.

"You must never give appearance that you are a beginner or an amateur," he says. "If you present yourself in a professional manner, editor can only assume you're a pro and will treat you like one.

"I have given many assignments over 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 cat out of bag and make a slip of 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," Wood says.

Shotgun Querying and Waiting Game -------------------------------------

So, is it acceptable to send multiple queries on same subject? Wood says yes.

"Shotgun sucker to as many editors as you can. You're writer; you're one who has to pay your bills while waiting (sometimes for months) to hear back from each publication," Wood 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 same general idea to several different similar magazines and send them all out at 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 Wood, 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," Wood explains.

After shotgunning 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," he advises. "Never phone unless you've worked with editor before. If still no response, assume it's a reject and move on."

10 Specific Advice to Help You Get Your Query Letter Accepted (and Make You a Published Author Eventually) -------------------------------------------------------------

Wood sums it up:

1. Be professional. Make sure every letter is error-free, is addressed to 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 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 way you talk, write in your own voice. You have only one chance to impress 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.

Copyright 2001-2002 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta mailto:publisher@ewritersplace.com

Your Perfect Customer Comes First - Hold your focus on this person. Everything you write is as closely targeted as possible on this person's needs, hopes and dreams. If you can sustain this interaction, rest is just mechanics.

Talk With, Not To - Telling people what to do never works. Whether selling or providing information, your only hope is to persuade readers to buy your product or accept your point of view. In short, always talk *with* your Perfect Customer. Never talk *to* them.

Forget About Maybes - A common mistake on many sites is attempt to please all visitors. It won't work. Talk and sell to your Perfect Customer, and nobody else. That is, never include even a comment in hope of converting maybes.

Use "I," not "We" - If you're just one person, stick to yourself as subject. There is something pretentious, kind of phony, about a fellow who is a one man show speaking of himself as "we." It's as if he is trying to appear bigger or more important than he is.

Believe In Your Product - If you do, if you enthusiastically endorse it, your excitement will shine through. Conversely, if you don't believe in it, ditch it. Only professionals can sell in this circumstance. Lack of enthusiasm of itself will destroy your copy.

Never Offend Or Annoy - Offending people is always a deadend street, a truism that hardly seems worth mention here. I did so in order to point out that accumulated annoyances amount to offending. Seek to eliminate any copy that might annoy anyone.

Avoid U.S. Jargon - The Web is rapidly becoming an International marketplace. However, many outside U.S. who read English, are reading in a second language. U.S. jargon and slang really confuse such visitors. Use dollars, not bucks. Use men, not guys. "Behind wood shed" has no meaning for those outside U.S.

Be Specific - Your writing will be stronger if all is aimed at making a very specific point clear. Only when accomplished, is it time to move on to another. "Stainless steel is an exceptional material," says little. If this is point you want to make, break it down into parts that collectively explain why generalization is so.

Write As Fiction - The better I come to know Web, more convinced I am of parallels between writing a good story and a good page. Pace matters. And emotional impact. And there's more. Grab a book you like, and try to figure how author sucks you into next paragraph or page. If you can do same with a web page, you'll have a winner.

Editing Is The Secret - Edit and rewrite as often as required. Ask any good writer, and they'll tell you that some of what they release has been edited and rewritten a dozen or more times. Editing is key, really. The final result may only vaguely resemble original draft.

Get A Second Opinion - While there may be little need to hire a professional editor, do ask at least one other person to read what you have written. If possible, ask them to read it out loud to you. If nobody is handy, record your work, then listen to it. Hold off on this until you feel work is ready to go. There's too much error in draft copy for this to work well.

Be Clear, Straightforward, And Friendly

Hold to above in all you write, be certain you are speaking one-to-one with your Perfect Customer, and results, given editing, will be sufficient. As you gain experience, you can improve from "sufficient" to "good." "Great" is goal, but it certainly is not required.