Query Letter: "Diabetic Living" Magazine

I sent the email below to Diabetic Living magazine last year and ALMOST got a writing job out of it. The managing editor liked the concept, the editor higher up the chain... didn't. So close! Mind you, one of my next article pitches to the magazine was successful, so persistence won out in the end. : )

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.

DIABETIC DOCTORS

With around 1.7 million diagnosed cases of diabetes in Australia, many of the doctors treating the condition would, in fact, have it themselves.

I'd like to write an article for Diabetic Living, "Diabetic Doctors," about how the experts treat their own diabetes and the results they've achieved. Readers will learn the best available tips from doctors who truly know diabetes not just in theory, but in practice in their own lives. Around 3-5 doctor case studies would be featured, including the type of diabetes each doctor has, a brief history of their condition and how different aspects of healthy living have improved their wellbeing.

Coming to 1,000 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Have you ever gotten so close... yet so far?

Query Letter: "SHOP Til You Drop" Magazine

I unsuccessfully pitched an article idea about funky, underground pop-up shops to fashion magazine, SHOP Til You Drop, mid-last year. I think while the concept was intriguing, I didn't explain in my email why they should pick me to write on it. See what you think. This is what I wrote...

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.

THE RISE OF POP-UP SHOPS

They come, they sell awesome goods, they retreat softly into the ether... pop-up shops (or "guerrilla stores") are becoming increasingly popular as a form of flash mob fashion. They add an air of cool, exclusivity and secrecy to the retail experience, the ultimate in fast fashion. Mimco is currently operating one in Regent Arcade, Adelaide, Ksubi has gotten in on the action in Melbourne and Sydney has been graced with the temporary presence of a 7 For All Mankind version, amongst countless others.

I'd like to write "The Rise of Pop-up Shops" for SHOP readers to learn how and why this trend has evolved and find out about upcoming pop-ups for high street and designer brands in their area.

Coming to 1,200 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

What do you reckon? Where did I go wrong?

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.

Query Letter: "Peppermint" Magazine

Many of you would know of my long-standing love affair with Peppermint magazine. Writing for them would be a dream come true, but unfortunately it wasn't to be this time around. I never got a response to this pitch I emailed...

I'm a freelance writer from Adelaide 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.

What's a girl to do when she meets injustice in the world? Unfortunately, the modern answer can often be worry about the cause, but not know how to solve the problem.

It's time to bring back the elegantly-phrased protest letter!

I'd like to use my experience working for a state minister and hobby of serial letter-writing to magazines (a major glossy once published seven of my letters in one year -- I stopped before they took out a restraining order) to bring "Make a Statemint" to Peppermint readers. Covering the different causes, where to address your letters and when to start or join a petition, the article would provide a gentle, politically-neutral guide to practicing your penmanship and literary fist-shaking all at the same time.

Coming to 1,000 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Not sure what went wrong. : ( Please send me any advice you can muster!

Query Letter: "Madison" Magazine

Here's another pitch email that disappeared into the ether along with my dignity and those lost socks from the dryer. I never heard back from Madison about my fantastic feng shui idea...

I'm a freelance writer and mediator for Consumer Affairs 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.

Feng shui, the Chinese system of aesthetics combining the laws of heaven and earth, shows no signs of waning in popularity. Mystical though it may be, feng shui can teach us a lot about making our lives orderly so every facet functions smoothly. Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts all reportedly use its principles to improve their lives and I'd like to write "Feng Shui Your Life" to help Madison readers do the same.

With advice from experts in the field and modern life coaches, the piece would contain sections focussing on transforming your happiness, house, health, wealth and general prosperity. A breakout box could highlight celebrity adherents to feng shui and give examples of how they've used it in ways readers can emulate at home.

Coming to 1,800 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Rebecca Douglas
 
I must not have sent my pitch on an auspicious occasion. Or was it something I said?

Query Letter: "Men's Health" Magazine

Here's another of my fabulous flops. I sent this email to Men's Health magazine pitching an article about health and fitness Twitter accounts and never received a reply. I suspect if my girly pink blog didn't scare them away, the boasting about my Twitter knowledge did. Sigh!

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.

As assistant editor of The Essential Guide to Twitter (currently out in news agencies) I discovered the best Twitter feeds for sports, health, fitness and food. Energy-packed recipes in 140 characters or less? Tick. Sports stars' feeds for insights into how they keep on top of their game? Tick. Feeds to encourage, cajole and kick your ass when you feel like quitting your exercise program? The tools are all there to transform into a more buff and successful version of you.

I'd like to write "Get Fitter with Twitter" to serve up the best Twitter feeds available for Men's Health readers looking to fast-track their fitness.

Coming to 1,200 words, the article would be delivered within two weeks of hearing you're interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Major Twitter fail whale!

Query Letter: "Jetstar" Magazine

I realised I haven't posted any query letters on this blog for ages. Here's one for Jetstar Airways' inflight magazine that didn't fare so well...

I'm a features writer from Adelaide who's written for Cosmo Bride and Women's Health & Fitness, amongst others. Samples of my freelance writing are available on my blog, Becks and the City.

Marooned in a fast-paced, unfamiliar city, where do tech-savvy travellers turn but their iPhones and iPads? Travel apps can help them quickly and easily find the best places to eat, sleep and play, all wrapped in a neat little program.

I'd like to write an article, "iTravel," for Jetstar Magazine readers, clueing them into the most entertaining and helpful information available on these apps, including:

• nearby restaurants and photos of customers' meals on Foodspotting
• browsing hotel reviews and attractions on TripAdvisor
• tracking your flight's status or bus timetable on free local apps.

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

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Any clues as to why it was rejected? Maybe it's too brief?

"Cosmo Bride" Blogger Application # 2

My second go at applying for the "Cosmo Bride" blogger gig.

Name: Beck Doyle

Age: 30
State: SA

Sample blog:

Working for Consumer Affairs, I hear many strange and shocking stories. Complaints about g-strings, crossbows, model trains and lollipops? All in a day's work.

Often the most distressing (and difficult to resolve) complaints, however, belong on Funniest Wedding Disasters 4 or similar god-awful TV show. Without the funny, unfortunately.

I’ve heard of vile venues, dress dry-cleaning disasters and lost engagement ring laments. Even, sadly, a bride-to-be cancelling her wedding after her fiancé lost his job. Once a “perfect” wedding day is sullied, it isn’t soon forgotten.

So I ask you: How do you get to “happily ever after” without disaster?

"Cosmo Bride" Blogger Application # 1

My application to be a "bride blogger" for Cosmo Bride magazine.

Name: Beck Doyle

Age: 30
State: SA

About Me: Magazine addict, mediator for Consumer Affairs, wannabe writer and Bridezilla-in-training.

Sample Blog: Wedding Dress Time Warp

"A wedding gown with no lace, beading or embroidery, please". Blank look from stuffy salesmadam. "We don’t have those. You want a plain dress?"

Nooooooooooooooo... I want a modern dress. An enormous taffeta bow, dramatic ruffles, one-shouldered fabulousness. Something very Oscar de la Renta or Vera Wang on a Big W budget. Too much to ask?

Apparently. Shunning traditional trimmings, I’d been lumped with the Goths and medieval types. A plain bride or a freak.

So if embroidery, garters and witchy-poo pointy bridal booties offend your fashionista sensibilities, how do you find a modern wedding dress?

Query Letter: "Money" Magazine

I wrote to Money magazine offering to write an article on winning prizes in competitions...

Money for jam. Everyone's craving easy ways to make and save money, hopefully not involving any more goddamned soggy packed lunches! I would like to write an article on one such money-making method.

As an investment, my hobby ticks plenty of boxes -- almost zero-risk, profitable, tax-free and even loads of fun... I win competitions.

Don't laugh, in recent years, I've won over $10,000 in prizes, including $1,000 and a year's supply of toilet paper, trips to Japan and Melbourne, a $1,000 shopping spree and plenty of household appliances and products. For some, it is even a full-time profession. My article, "How to Win Money and Prizes", would show Money readers how to become "win-vestors" too.

As a qualified lawyer, mathematical and computer sciences graduate and mediator for Consumer Affairs, I can advise readers of the scams and gambling pitfalls to avoid when entering competitions. In 2,000 words, the article would cover how to craft a clever entry in "25 words or less", finding competitions with the best odds of winning, Internet and supermarket competitions, and selling prizes on eBay.

I am able to deliver it within two weeks of hearing you are interested.

Kind regards,

Rebecca Doyle
 
The response...
 
Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for your email. Unfortunately we don’t accept external submissions. But we’d love to interview you for a story on the subject. Please let me know your contact details if this is something you’d be interested in…
 
At first I thought "Pfft, I want to write the article, not be the article". Then I thought, "Perhaps an editor/agent would be more intrigued by my book proposal if I can say 'as seen in Money magazine'".

So I did the interview. See whether it was published.