Getting Published

Written by Bob Osgoodby


Whether you are writing an article for a magazine, trade journal, online publication, or a press release, there are certain conventions you must follow. If you follow them, you have a chance of it being published. If you don't, you are simply wasting your time.

When a publisher contracts with you to write an article, you have no doubt established contact with them, and knowrepparttar format they desire. If you are not being paid, and are hoping to build your "recognition" through publication, it is to your benefit to present it properly.

Publishers are busy people who have deadlines to meet. The easier you can make it for them,repparttar 129912 better chance you have of them making a favorable decision.

The very first thing you should do is to give them some idea of whatrepparttar 129913 article is all about. A sentence or two describingrepparttar 129914 content, and who it is targeted to, is essential. If you don't do this, they might read a paragraph or two and make a decision based on that. You might have a great article that is rejected, simply becauserepparttar 129915 first few sentences don't get their attention.

Do you provide a word count? This is absolutely necessary. Publishers have different amounts of space available for an article every time they publish. Many times their first "cut" is made on length rather thanrepparttar 129916 actual content. If they have to takerepparttar 129917 time to figure out how long it is, it might just end up in their trash.

Now, will these two things guarantee it will be published? Of course not, but it does give you a shot at having it read. Even ifrepparttar 129918 content is not a "fit" forrepparttar 129919 current publication, if they know what it's about and how long it is, they might just save it for a future edition.

Spelling errors are usually an immediate "kiss of death". There is absolutely nothing that will get your article rejected faster. Most publishers reject "out of hand" an article with spelling mistakes. Think about it - if you submit an article with these types of errors, a question is immediately raised as torepparttar 129920 accuracy ofrepparttar 129921 content.

Have you actually read your finished article? The best thing is to have someone else proof it for you prior to submission. Sometimes you get so close to an article, and what may be perfectly clear to you, is not to someone else. Never submitrepparttar 129922 articlerepparttar 129923 day it is written if at all possible. Let it age for a day or two and reread it. Concentrate on contentrepparttar 129924 first go round, and on presentation and form in subsequent readings.

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD ARTICLE

Written by Craig Lock


Firstly, carefully research and study your subject matter.

Think it all through very carefully, WHAT you are going to say and HOW you are going to say it.

I believerepparttar essence of writing a good interesting article is simplicity, but with a touch (or could it be "tinge" ofrepparttar 129910 unusual).

Always aim for clarity and simplicity in your writing.

How long should your article be?

In writing for newspapers or popular magazinesrepparttar 129911 length is probably around 500-750 words (or one to 2 pages).

I would far rather read a 1000 word article giving information that would help me, than a breezy 3000 word article of waffle that doesn't say much at all.

Always try to put yourself inrepparttar 129912 position ofrepparttar 129913 reader.

After completion, re-read your article a number of times.

Polish it up by changing words and expressions.

Ensure that your article reads quickly and easily.

Otherwise if an article is too longrepparttar 129914 reader can easily lose concentration and give up.

Examine your sentences and paragraphs carefully to ensure thatrepparttar 129915 words flow smoothly.

A paragraph should deal with one idea, developed in one or more sentences that logically advancesrepparttar 129916 points you are trying to make, add meaning or develop thestory you are telling (the plot).

Always try to make your meaning clear.

Ensure that your sentences are well structured and that your grammar iscorrect.

The first words of your article are of vital importance to grab yourreader's attention.

You are doing a "selling" job to entice them to read more - so makerepparttar 129917 reader want to read more.

Develop your theme logically. Carefully plan what you are going to say.

Make a list of your main points.

Then progress from one to another (logically), so that they lead to a conclusion.

For example

"...and that is why I thinkrepparttar 129918 resource management act is good forrepparttar 129919 local environment."

or

"and that is why I believe all accountants and actuaries should be set in concrete and used as traffic bollards"

Oops sorry accountants and actuaries!

Do you know what an actuary is?

An accountant who didn't haverepparttar 129920 personality! An Example Of An Article

Eg: You are writing aboutrepparttar 129921 growing popularity of home computers.

Identify 4 or 5 main points:

say,

* cost

* who is buying them

* how they are being used

and

* implications forrepparttar 129922 future.

In a short article each of these points will be a paragraph.

In a longer article,repparttar 129923 points will be developed.

Arrange your points logically.

You can include sub-points under each main point.

Inrepparttar 129924 example on computers you may include:

* word processing

* computer games

* accounts

and

* school work.

There are three main parts of any article.

Your article should have an introduction.

This introducesrepparttar 129925 reader torepparttar 129926 subject.

Thenrepparttar 129927 main body ofrepparttar 129928 article which comprises most

of an article.

This then leads logically to a final deduction or conclusion.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
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