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View from the Field III

Magazine Publication 101

An ArtsWORK exclusive by Jody Michele Powers

If you are a writer, you may wonder about the best way to get your work published in magazines. I sold my first article to a national magazine, New Mobility, back in 2009. Follow my advice to increase your odds of making your first big sell:

1. When you think of your idea, find the magazine that best relates to it.

I wanted to write a piece on how people without personal experience shouldn’t speak on the behalf of people with disabilities.Since I knew New Mobility empowers people with disabilities, I knew my article topic would be appealing. You may have to read several issues of a particular publication to understand its style.

Remember each magazine caters to a specific audience; its goal is to give relevant content to that population. In other worlds, it would have been pointless for me to pitch my idea to Cat Fancy, a magazine devoted to cat lovers (an absurd example that makes my point).

Of course, you could always write your idea from a different angle in order to make it more appealing to a different magazine.

2. Once you select a magazine, find out their rules of etiquette and follow them.

Each publication likes to receive communication from writers in different ways. Some don’t mind if writers send completed articles with a cover letter. Many prefer if writers sent query letters (see below).Many like electronic submissions, while others still prefer to have submissions mailed to them.Their guidelines will be listed somewhere within the magazine and usually online. Whatever they may be, follow them. Editors will be attracted to this kind of professionalism.

This is the third of six pieces written by artists affiliated with ArtsWORK Indiana. We'd like to hear what you think, so go to our Facebook page and tell us! Check out other articles in the "View from the Field" series, published monthly.

3. Learn to write good query letters.

Basically, a query letter is a pitch of your article idea.It’s also the first impression you will be making. Editors take only a few seconds to decide on your idea, so make those seconds count. I suggest reading The Writers Digest Guide to Query Letters by Wendy Bunt-Thomas.

For now, though, you should know that a query letter for an article should be brief. It should explain your idea, why it would fit the particular magazine, and why you should be the one to write it.

Also, always address the query to a specific person. Just like writers, editors don’t appreciate the form letter approach.If the magazine doesn’t list a person, look for the listing of the staff members. Choose an associate editor to address the query to. It may not be the best person, but the effort you made will be noticed.

4. Use Manners.

If you read that it may take six weeks for a response, wait six weeks to do follow-up.

If you receive a rejection, thank them for the consideration and express your hope in working with them in the future. Since publishers network with one another, writers cannot afford to burn any bridges.

If your idea is accepted, make sure all the parties understand the details of the agreement. This includes the payment, the length of your article, the due date, and copying rights.

5. Follow through.

Do you know what happens when you are known for your dependability and ability to work with others? Publishers want to work with you. This makes it easier to sell other pieces to the same places. In fact, a good reputation will also cause publishers to request you to do work.

Seeing one’s work in print and being paid for it are experiences I truly want you to have. If you have any questions on my suggested tips, feel free to email me at jodymichele@inbox.com.

Jody Michele Powers is a writer and visual artist who lives in Muncie, IN with her husband Jay. She advocates for people with both physical disabilities and those with mental illnesses.

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