"Women's Health & Fitness" Query

I wrote this query email to Women's Health & Fitness magazine on 17 February 2011 and received a reply from the editor, Angela Tufvesson, five days later.

I'd accidentally chosen the perfect editor to receive this story idea. Little did I know, Angela's a fellow lefty and replied with a "Greetings comrade"! The 1,200-word story was published in the June issue out in news agencies mid-May.

Here's the original email...

Dear Ms Tufvesson,

I'm a writer from Adelaide who's been published by Cosmo Bride and Onya Magazine. Samples of my freelance writing are available on my blog, Becks and the City.

Next time you're using a pair of scissors, computer mouse, can opener, or spiral notebook, spare a thought for left-handers (unless you are one, in which case, greetings comrade!). These and many other everyday tools are made for easy use by right-handers. Historically, lefties have faced discrimination in language, with the Latin word sinistra meaning both "left" and "unlucky" and the French word gauche meaning "left" and "clumsy". They have been beaten and victimised and reprimanded in schools.

I'd like to write an article, "Being Left-handed," discussing theories including that left-handed people are more violent, talented at art and mathematics, more likely to be born from older mothers, and able to sprout three heads (okay that last one's made up). Intriguingly, it's claimed to have health implications such as increased risk of schizophrenia, alcoholism, dyslexia, Crohn's disease, mental disabilities and early death. And apparently, left-handedness is on the rise.
Coming to 1,000 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you are interested.

Yours sincerely,
Rebecca Douglas
Mobile: xxxx xxx xxx
Email: beckemail@gmail.com