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This month learn how to use your senses to improve your writing, get Top Tips on approaching an editor, find out about contributing to our new student Ezine 'Chapter and Verse', see if our Useful Websites really are of any use to you and be inspired!
TOP TIPS...
Ten Top Tips for approaching an editor
1. Take the trouble to find out the editor's name so that you can address them personally.
2. Make sure your presentation is as perfect as possible, whether sending by post or electronically. Check for - and correct - typing errors. Avoid fancy fonts - settle for something plain, like Times New Roman, and always include a word count.
3. If you are submitting by post, attach a cover sheet, as it enhances the presentation and gives the editor all the necessary details at a glance. If you are submitting by email put something sensible in the subject line e.g. 'Proposed article on fly fishing', otherwise it will probably be deleted as spam.
4. A covering letter is not strictly necessary with an unsolicited manuscript, but enclosing one will do no harm.
5. If you have had previous contact with an editor and he/she has asked to see an article or outline, then a covering letter is essential. Otherwise, your manuscript could be read by someone else in a busy office who doesn't know that the editor has expressed an interest and they may reject it.
6. If it says that unsolicited articles are not accepted then you can get round this by sending an outline and a query letter.
7. Make sure your query letter exudes a quiet authority. Don't tell the editor your life story - but make it clear why you think your piece is ideal for the magazine's readers and why you are qualified to write it. The rule of thumb is: if it makes you look good, put it in. If it makes you look inexperienced, leave it out.
8. A good outline is essential. It should be a skeleton of the finished product, showing the main topic areas to be covered and in what order. Don't make it too long, or so short that it is disjointed and difficult to follow.
9. Don't overwhelm an editor - so only send one idea at a time when first approaching them. This may change if they start accepting your work, but build up a relationship first.
10. Don't send the same article to two editors at the same time. If they both accept and then publish it will lead to embarrassment for them and it is most unlikely that they would ever accept work from you again. So don't double deal!
