HOW TO WRITE A QUERY LETTER!

from author Kristin Harmel
(How to Sleep With a Movie Star and The Blonde Theory)
www.KristinHarmel.com

The wonderful thing about writing is that you can do it at any age, from anywhere and with any qualifications, provided you can do a good job of researching stories and putting words on a page. Even if you've had little experience in the field, you can convince a magazine or newspaper to give you an assignment if you go about it the right way. How do I know? I got my first magazine assignment at the age of 16 just by writing a query letter to an editor. He assigned me to cover the St. Louis Cardinals' instructional league -- and then to interview Bo Jackson -- before he realized just how old -- and inexperienced -- I was. By the time we finally met face to face and he realized I was 16, I'd already sold him on my writing. You can do the same thing!

First of all, a few tips: 1) Start small. The first magazine I wrote for had a circulation of just 30,000, but the clips from job helped me to get other jobs. It's easier to break into small, low-paying markets, but the rewards can be endless. You can often get media credentials to some pretty big events through small publications and establish some great clips that will help you pitch ideas elsewhere. 2) Make sure your query letter is perfect -- that it includes all the items it needs and that it's perfectly spell-checked and fact-checked. 3) Never, ever, ever sell yourself short or tell the editor that you don't have a lot of experience in a query letter. Instead, play up everything that qualifies you to write the article you're proposing. 4) Research, research, research! Research the article you're planning to write so that you can present some solid facts and anecdotes, and research the publication, to make sure that your article will fit between its pages and that you're contacting the correct editor.

Here's how to build your query letter:

Your query letter should show the editor that you: can write effectively; have a coherent, well-thought-out idea that fits the publication; have a basic grasp of grammar and spelling; have read the publication; have the credentials or expertise to write the article and are professional in your approach to writing. Make sure you always check your query letter to make sure it includes all of these elements.

The following are the five elements you must include in your query, listed in chronological order: The hook, the pitch, the body, the credentials and the close.

Begin with the hook. I usually use a hook that I could envision as a good first paragraph for the article. It has to be short, catchy and informative, and it's imperative that no matter what it says, it sucks the editor in. If you don't have a strong hook, he or she is likely to put your letter down and move on to the next. An idea: try throwing something into the letter that shows you've researched your story. I usually like to use an anecdote or scene-setter. Another good way to open is to state some well-researched and surprising facts in a catchy way.

After the hook comes the pitch, the actual statement of why you're writing to the editor. It should be specific and short and should include the section for which you're writing (if there is a specific section), how long your article will be and what it will be about exactly. I generally use something like this: "I'd like to propose a 1500-word article for your "TK Ways" section about how busy women can take a break from their hectic routines." (This was from a successful pitch to Woman's Day magazine).

After you've made the pitch, in the body of the letter, elaborate on your article idea a bit more. You might tell the editor how you plan to research it, what it will contain, who you will interview or why it's a timely and important article. You should be able to do this in 2-3 short paragraphs.

After the body, include a short paragraph about why you're qualified to write the article. (Or, if you think your experience will impress the editor, use it before the meat of the body.) DON'T say you're a student, unless you think it will help you get the assignment because of the assignment's nature. Mention whatever writing experience you have, but leave out high school newspaper and yearbook experience. If you don't have other experience, simply say something along the lines of, "I'm an experienced writer with contacts in the (whatever you're planning to write about) business." If you've taken classes that relate to your article or have worked somewhere that would qualify you to write, you could say that too. As a last resort, you can call one of the experts you plan to interview and get a few quotes to include in the query, so that the editor will know that you have access to good sources.

Close with a short paragraph along the lines of: "Thank you for taking the time to consider my proposal. I pride myself in clean, snappy copy and a quick turnaround time, and I'd love to have the chance to work with you. I look forward to your response. Enjoy the rest of your week!"

Make sure you provide all your contact info and that you keep the query to one page or less. Come up with a catchy subject line too, if you’re sending your query by email.

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF A QUERY I SENT TO WOMAN'S DAY:
June 14, 2001

Dear Ms. Breslau,

If you've watched CNN Headline News anytime in the past 18 years, you've probably seen Lynne Russell, the red-headed, no-nonsense journalist who's anchored the evening news since 1983. Last month, the 54-year-old CNN icon left the network after her boyfriend's diagnosis with cancer made her rethink her priorities, and she realized there was more to life than work. I'd like to suggest a 1500-word article on Russell, who's as unique as she is admirable. While at CNN, she moonlighted as a volunteer sheriff's deputy, a bodyguard and a private detective, and she's also earned a black belt in Choi Kwang Do. She plans to continue all of these activities now that she's no longer behind the CNN anchor desk, and she will begin work shortly on a primetime drama series produced by a friend of hers. This is the perfect time to do a story on Russell, whose recent decision to leave CNN Headline News was a major turning point in her life.

I write regularly for People magazine and Glamour magazine, and I also write the monthly Medical Update column in American Baby magazine. I've been published in dozens of other publications, including Woman's Day, Modern Bride, YM, Men’s Health and Teen People.

I recently interviewed Russell for People magazine, and I think she'd make a great Woman's Day story. She's a strong-willed, vibrant woman who has been described by CNN Headline News anchor Chuck Roberts as "the film-noir beauty who delivers the right line with an arched eyebrow." Her producer Dave Willis told me, "She's a lot of fun and has a great sense of humor. She's very talented. She's a good editor and writer. She's not afraid to criticize and praise. She's not afraid to speak her mind. She's a lot of fun to work with."

She's also a lot of fun to be around, and I think your readers would get a lot out of a story about her. Many of them will recognize her (She's been called the "face of CNN Headline News), and they'll be moved by her recent difficult decision to leave a very lucrative career (upper six-figures) because she realized that family is more important than fame or fortune. They'll also be entertained and amazed by her variety of outside interests and activities, and they can learn from her advice about how to be a strong, interesting woman.

Thanks for taking the time to consider my proposal. I look forward to talking with you soon. Have a great day.

Sincerely,
Kristin Harmel

(*One more tip – I STRONGLY recommend subscribing to www.mediabistro.com for their How to Pitch articles!!!! I love Mediabistro!!!)

(Feel free to write to me with any questions at kristin@kristinharmel.com)

How to conduct an interview

Find common ground with a friendly conversation.
Chat for a few minutes to establish a friendly feeling between you and your interview subject. This will make him or her more comfortable and open with you. Empathize with the person. Ask him how his week's been. How are classes/work going? Chat about a neutral subject, such as the weather, a recently release movie, something along those lines.

Start with quick, simple background:
Age? DOB?
Parents names, ages, occupations?
Siblings names and ages?
Where from?
Where live now?
Where work? Career plans?

Start getting into deeper questions and issues:
This is the meat of the interview. You're trying to get into your subject's head. Some interview subjects will be very open to this; some will be shut off, some simply won't have much in their heads!! Basically, you're trying to get them to tell you a story and to tell you what drives them, what they're thinking, what makes them tick. But you can't just say, "Tell me a story," or "What makes you tick?" You have to use your interviewing skills to get it out of them.
* Ask questions that make them really think about issues and memories that are important to them. Ask questions about favorite childhood memories. Try questions that deal with the things that make them the most proud, the happiest, etc.
* Ask them specific things you've already researched. If you're interviewing quarterback, don't ask him what his passing statistics were last season. You should be able to find them on your own. Ask him why he improved from season to season.
* "How do you feel about . . . ?" is one of the best questions you can ask. People love to tell you how they feel. Fill in the blank and feel free to pick their brains.

Be interested:
Sure, it's easy to listen, and it's not too difficult to pretend you're interested, but the key to being a good reporter is to actually be interested! Really listen to what your subject is saying. React. Laugh. Smile. Make eye contact. Be somber. Ask questions based on their answers. Really care about what they're saying, and they'll feel much more comfortable with you.

Good Pages to Bookmark:
www.KristinHarmel.com
www.mediabistro.com
www.writersweekly.com (Every Wednesday)
www.journalismjobs.com
www.nytimes.com
www.ajc.com