Write for Magazine Publication #5

Writing for Magazine Publication is a great way to monetize your writing and test your topic for readership interest. This series offers tips and ideas for magazine publishing: a list of genres or categories and where we find ideas (posted 5.25.18), research tips (posted 6.25.18), standard templates for essay and article pieces (7.25.18), query letters (informal known to editor 8.25.18) and (formal query tips 9.25.18), formatting for submission, and copyright definitions.

Essays are all about the writer, but articles are all about the reader. An essay is an opinion piece: an analytical or interpretative work with a limited point of view. However, an article is non-fiction text presenting information to the reader.

In prep for writing our query letter, be sure to revisit your research of the particular magazine you want to pitch.  To gauge how you approach the magazine and determine their audience, you’ve:
1.    Thoroughly read a few copies of the magazine, including advertisements
2.    Found the editor to address your query in the masthead.
3.    Copied the submittal requirements and reviewed them point by point.
4.    Visit and read the magazine’s website.
5.    Read the market listing in Writer’s Market

Today, let’s talk about a formal query written to an agent or editor new to you. 

Do Tips:
•    Our goal is to present a query letter in a professional manner that is clear and concise. It should be one single spaced page with block paragraph format.
•    Use customary typeface and font: Times New Roman, 10 or 12 point, and one-inch margins.
•    Demonstrate you are knowledgeable about the specific magazine you are contacting.
•    Query letters are a call to action, so be specific from the first line of your letter, thus honoring the editors time.
•    Include some biographical information to show your personality and voice, but don’t go overboard.
•    Always follow the submission guidelines specific to the magazine you are querying.
•    Thank the editor for considering your query and always include your contact information (name, address, phone number, email address and website if you have one).
•    Wait the noted response time before contacting an editor to follow up on your query. (refer to the submittal guidelines)

Not for the Query Letter Tips:
•    Discuss pay rates
•    Mention that your work is copyrighted
•    Don’t hint you are willing to rewrite the piece

Kerrie Flanagan’s new book and Informative Links:
5 Things You Need to Know to Write for Magazines:   http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/42-FE2-WriteforMagazines.html   Know the Reader, Know the Magazine, Know the Style, Know the Submission Guidelines, Know How to Write an Effective Query Letter.
and her new book --  “Writer’s Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing”  by Kerrie Flanagan

http://www.writersmarket.com/assets/pdf/Query_Letter_Clinic.pdf     *includes good and bad letter samples

 https://www.writersdigestshop.com/query-letter

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her web-blog: Deborah Lyn : My Writer's Life

Write clear & concise, personable yet professional.
Know your reader.
Use quotes & antidotes.

Write for Magazine Publication - #3

 

Writing for Magazine Publication is a great way to monetize your writing and test topic marketability.
Let’s talk about Structure today. 

This series offers tips and ideas for magazine publishing: a list of genres or categories and where we find ideas (posted 5.25.18), research tips (posted 6.25.18), standard templates for essay and article pieces (7.25.18), query letters, formatting for submittal, and copyright definitions.

What’s the difference between an essay and an article?

• The essay is all about the writer, but an article is all about the reader.
• An essay is an opinion piece: an analytical or interpretative composition with a limited point of view.
• An article is non-fiction prose that is information or knowledge based.

Templates for composing an Article or an Essay:
The recommended template for Articles follows:

• The opening paragraph, is the introduction, and should be to the point and tightly written.
• Transition – getting into the subject
• Steps – describe the process in steps
• Tips – offer tips for success
• Conclusion

The standard Essay template follows:

• Introduction Paragraph – Capture interest, move from the general to the specific and write a thesis statement as the final sentence of this paragraph.

• Body of the Essay – Three Supporting Paragraphs

• Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence, and then present evidence to support your ideas, anticipate push back – refute it, and finish the paragraph with a smooth transition to the next supporting point.

• Conclusion – One Paragraph
• Restate your thesis in a similar way
• Summarize your first, second, and third supporting points
• Confirm the validity of your ideas
• End the conclusion with a call-to-action or an emotional appeal

Resources of interest:
For Articles -- Eva Shaw’s The Successful Writer’s Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles--Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Successful-Writers-Publishing-Magazine-Articles/

http://www.write.com/2013/12/26/structure-and-flow-writing-a-great-article/
https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/Critical_Analysis_Template30565.pdf

For Essays:
https://essayservice.com/blog/essay-outline/#structure

https://www.template.net/business/outline-templates/sample-essay-outline/

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts. Visit her web-blog:
Deborah Lyn Stanley : MyWriter's Life .
“Write your best, in your voice, your way!

Write for Magazine Publication - #2

Writing for Magazine Publication is a great way to monetize your writing and to test topic marketability. This is the second in a series of posts investigating the components of writing essays and articles for magazines. Your work could be in print or online in just a few months.

This series offers tips and ideas for magazine publishing: a list of genres or categories and where we find ideas (posted 5.25.18), research tips, standard templates for essay and article pieces, query letters, formatting for submittal, and copyright definitions.

What’s the difference between an essay and an article? The essay is all about the writer. An article is all about the reader. An essay is an analytical or interpretative composition while an article is informational non-fiction prose.

Today, let’s talk about researching to find the best magazine for your articles—
Use these questions to evaluate the best path:

•    Use a Marketing Guide to select the periodicals you want to study.

•    Would you be proud to promote the magazine and your writing included there?

•    What is the magazine’s specialty? Will your work fit?

•    How long is its typical article—300-500 words and an occasional 1,000-word piece?

•    Do the articles include the advice from experts? Is it an interview? What are the expert’s qualifications? How many quotes are included?

•    Which magazine would increase your byline influence?

•    Would the periodical send readers to your website or blog for more?

•    Does the magazine have a good reputation?

•    What is its readership base?

•    Where is the periodical’s coverage; local, national or international?

•    Would you consider working with a smaller magazine?

•    Does the magazine offer online and print subscription? Where would your work run—online and print or just one?

•    Check your market guidebook and the magazine’s website for detailed submittal requirements
.
•    Are the submittal requirements doable for you? Make detailed notes of the submittal process conditions missing no requirement, remembering the process varies from magazine to magazine. Don’t let a missed detail in your submittal be grounds for dismissal of your piece.

•    Does the magazine accept simultaneous submittals?

•    Avoid Wikipedia except for general information. Consistently double check the information to confirm it as a credible resource.

•    Use data from governmental sources or from well-known organizations.

•    Disclose your sources of information.

•    Use your personal experience, be your own expert!

Please share your tips in ‘comments’ below.

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her web-blog: Deborah Lyn Stanley : MyWriter's Life .
“Write your best, in your voice, your way!

How to Run a Contest on Your Blog

Do you run contents on your blog? Have you considered it?

Contests are a great way to generate content and traffic to your blog, as well as encourage engagement with your community. Plus, it gives you material to share on your social media sites.

A regular contest translates into low-maintenance, ongoing content. For instance, I run a contest every month on my website and community for writers: Write On Online. Anyone who posts goals on the website or Facebook page, throughout the month, is entered to win a book from Michael Wiese Productions, a screenwriting and film publishing company. A winner is chosen at random.

Here are a few easy options of free contests to run on your blog:

Photo Contest: Have entrants share an image, related to a theme or in some way, your business.

Essay Contest: Ask readers submit a story of a defined length on a specific topic.

Sweepstakes: This is the lowest barrier to entry. Your audience members simply need to enter their email address for a chance to win a prize at random. This is another way to add subscribers to your newsletter list.

To create a contest, you must also establish and publish rules, a deadline, judges (if applicable), and prizes ahead of time. Prizes can be as simple as a copy of your latest book or consulting time from your business specialty.

Now, here's the best part. Contest give you automatic blog posts, since you need:

• Contest launch and rules (you'll also want a standard page on your blog with rules)
• Deadline reminders (for early-bird and regular deadline, if relevant)
• Winner announcement and posts

Contests don't have to be complicated, they just need to be representative of your site.

Note: If you do a contest in relation to a social network, check their Terms of Use before posting anything on the platform.

What do you think? Do you run contests on your blog? What kinds of contents to you find most effective? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

* * *

Debra Eckerling is a writer, editor and project catalyst, as well as founder of Guided Goals and Write On Online, a live and online writers’ support group. 

She is the host of the Guided Goals Podcast and author of Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages. 

Debra is an editor at Social Media Examiner and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.