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Checklist for Pitching Article
by Pamela White

1. Study the markets. You want to write for Gourmet? Study the last 12 issues. Learn the language used, the variety of topics. Study the competition so you know what other magazines have been publishing. Don't pitch topics the other magazines have covered recently.

2. Keep your article idea focused. Don't pitch a story on grilling fish. Instead pitch a story on cooking piranha over a fire on the banks of the Amazon.

3. Address your query to the right person. Call the magazine and ask for editorial. Then ask for the name of the person to whom you should send your query about traditional piranha recipes.

4. Keep your query letter to a page, no more than a page and a half. Use your proposed introduction to the articles as your first paragraph.

5. After your first paragraph, either write in outline form, or outline your article in a paragraph. Include professional sources you will interview. Finally, write a paragraph explaining who you are and why you should write this article. Include publishing credits.

6. If you have no publishing credits, don't state this. Don't deny it either.

7. Include clips or writing samples that are related to food writing, if possible.

8. Include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope). Yes, some writers say this is a sign of the amateur because if editors want your story, they will phone you. I say send it in so that if they don't want it, they can write to let you know, often sending personal notes that indicate how close your idea was, or if they are looking for something different.

9. When sending a query by e-mail, keep the tone professional as you would with a letter sent via the post office. Write the letter the same way but put your contact information at the bottom of the e-mail.

Copyright © 2003 Pamela White

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