Comments on: Query Writing Series: The Query Letter, Part Two https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html a freelance writing resource. Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Linda https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html#comment-512 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:59:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html/#comment-512 I actually like Lori’s ending, because I have had a lot of success ending queries and letters of intro with a question.

Also, when I interviewed editors for The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters That Rock, they told me that they don’t like being told how long it will take for the writer to turn in an article. One of them said (I’m trying to remember the exact quote here): “If I assign you the article, *I’ll* tell you when I need it.”

Finally, if you say you can complete the article in X weeks but the editor would need it sooner, you’ve lost the sale. Why give the editor another chance to say no?

Linda
http://www.therenegadewriter.com

]]> By: Nikki https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html#comment-505 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:24:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html/#comment-505 Lori – Keep these coming! You just made me decide that my whole approach has been all wrong! I just sent a query this morning, completely free of the canned version I have been using. It’s for a new website within my niche. Hopefully this works out for me!

I am wondering though, would you be willing to discuss what we should do with queries that go unanswered, especially the ones that ask for our rates? Those baffle and irritate me!

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html#comment-503 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 21:10:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html/#comment-503 Good advice, Anne. I think yours is a much better finish! Can you tell I don’t do too many magazine queries these days? :))

]]> By: Anne Wayman https://wordsonpageblog.com/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html#comment-502 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:32:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2007/07/query-letter-part-two-meat-of-matter.html/#comment-502 Love this, with one exception. You say “What do you think? May I write the article for Shoe Network readers? Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with you soon.”

I’d probably close with something like “I’d be delighted to get this article to you in the next two weeks.” Some sort of affirmative close that assumes I’ll get the assignment.

And you are so right – that editor is your first, and in many ways, your most important reader!

Anne
http://www.thegoldenpencil.com

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