Query Letter: "Gardening Australia" Magazine

I've had some recent successes with my article pitches to magazines. This was not one of them.

I'm a freelance writer who's been published by magazines including Women's Health & Fitness and Cosmo Bride. Samples of my work are available on my blog, Becks and the City.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single person in possession of a good backyard, must be in want of a garden. The famous opening to Pride and Prejudice could well have been worded this way -- Jane Austen was a keen kitchen and flower gardener.

I'd like to help Gardening Australia devotees navigate the hedge maze of gardening descriptions in Austen's works and the perfectly-manicured lawns, English cottage gardens and parks in an article, "Jane Austen's Garden". Exploring the quintessential flowers, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and trees of the era readily available in Australia today (including violets, gooseberries, lavender, mulberry bushes and more), the article would show how these plants were used in recipes, crafts and other household activities. The article would also contain a break-out box with a step-by-step guide to growing your own literary landscape in the style of Miss Austen.

Coming to 1,000 words, the article would be delivered within three weeks of hearing you are interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Any theories on what went wrong? I thought I was onto a winner with this one.