Sample Query Letter to Pitch an Article to a Food/Lifestyle Magazine
QUERY TYPE: E-mail query
PITCHED TO: Editor
SOLD TO: Food/Lifestyle magazine
AUDIENCE: General audience
TYPE OF PITCH: Full article, 1,200+ words
COMPENSATION OF SOLD ARTICLE: $500 (US) (estimated price)
PITCHED TO: Editor
SOLD TO: Food/Lifestyle magazine
AUDIENCE: General audience
TYPE OF PITCH: Full article, 1,200+ words
COMPENSATION OF SOLD ARTICLE: $500 (US) (estimated price)
STEP 1: ADDRESS YOUR QUERY LETTER
From: Your Full Name (with e-mail address)
Subject: To [Editor's Full Name], [Job title] : Re: Submission Query
Subject: To [Editor's Full Name], [Job title] : Re: Submission Query
Date: Today's date. ( Click here for Comments )
(Comments: If you are e-mailing this query, then you do not need to include a date since your e-mail account will automatically insert a time and date)
To: [Editor's e-mail address] ( Click here for Comments )
(Comments: Always get the e-mail address of the editor or the person in charge of accepting submissions, such as NancyWilliams@nameofmagazine.com. Never e-mail a query letter to a general e-mail address such as "editorialstaff@nameofmagazine.com." Always include the Job Title, such as Editor, Managing Editor, Editorial Assistant, etc. )
( Click here for Comments )
(Comments: The "RE:" is optional. You can use "RE:," meaning 'regarding' to inform the editor what you are submitting.)
STEP 2: START YOUR QUERY LETTER BY ADDRESSING THE EDITOR
Hello Nancy,
( Click here for Comments )
Comments: In many instances, you will address the editor with a more formal salutation, such as "Hello [Editor's First Name, Last Name] or "Dear [Editor's First Name, Last Name]." This writer used a more friendly salutation because he has already worked with this editor.
STEP 3: DEVELOP A STRONG LEAD-IN. GRAB THE EDITOR'S ATTENTION WITH A NARRATIVE OF YOUR ARTICLE
You've been planning this romantic beach picnic for days. After carefully shopping for those special ingredients to make this occasion one to remember, you are already for a day of fun, food and love in the sun. The day arrives and everything is perfect; the weather, the perfectly secluded spot by the ocean and the romantic mood. But then you open your food hamper only to discover that the salad has wilted, the cheese is sweating and the strawberries have turned to mush. Where did you go wrong?
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Comments: This writer uses a strong, visual pitch. It presents a problem that most of the magazine's readers have encountered or will encounter this summer.
STEP 4: SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH OR UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
When you want to enjoy a perfect picnic, whether it's a romantic moment with the one your love, or a fun day out with the whole family, you need to prepare the right dishes that will weather the journey to the beach and withstand the summer heat without spoiling before you get to eat it.
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(Comments: This is a supporting paragraph, not necessarily a unique selling point. This writer elaborates on the opening paragraph to further explain the concept of her article.
STEP 5: PROPOSE WHAT YOU: 1) INTEND TO WRITE OR 2) WHAT YOU WANT TO SUBMIT
The complete article (approx. 1,200 words) includes eight recipes for food that travels to make your picnic a memorable occasion.
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(Comments: The writer is proposing a feature article with supporting recipes. This writer has researched this magazine and knows that including relevant recipes with her article is essential to breaking into the feature section of this magazine.
STEP 6: CALL-TO-ACTION
I would be happy to submit the complete piece at your request.
( Click here for Comments )
(Comments: Short, sweet and simple. This writer has finished her article and can offer it without delay.
STEP 7: EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN WRITING THIS ARTICLE
During my 12 years as a freelance writer I have been published in print and online in a wide variety of publications and websites worldwide. I specialize in food and nutrition writing. My research, writing and editing skill are flawless. I have a BA in Humanities and Philosophy and an MA in Women's Studies. Because I have expertise at all levels of writing from journalism to feature writing, I have the skill to present even the most challenging information in an interesting way and in a reader-friendly style. I enjoy challenging myself in
delivering a new angle on even the most familiar of topics.
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(Comments: This is a perfect brief bio. of the writer, detailing her experience. Her experience will aid in convincing the editor to buy her article.
STEP 8: SHOW SAMPLES OR PUBLISHED CLIPS
You may visit my website at [include your website address or URLs to specific articles] to view recent samples of previous published articles. My features and departments have been published in magazines including: Alive, Alternative Medicine, Health and Fitness, Ultimate Athlete, Hard Core Muscle, Herb Monthly, Body Balance, Life Extension, Hardcore Muscle, Interactive Dad, Long Island Woman and Chronogram.
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(Comments: if similar magazines have published your articles, you can also provide the exact URL to articles that pertain to parenting.
STEP 9: CONCLUDING
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your First Name, Last Name
Sincerely,
Your First Name, Last Name
