Comments on: Free Advice Friday: Streamlining Article Writing

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 19:49:48 +0000

Exactly – I don't guarantee I'll get an expert. Or maybe I'll say, "I'll speak with experts from…" and name various companies, universities, or institutions.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:58:04 +0000

You make a great point about experts, Paula. I do typically include them. For the example, I didn't. Probably the first time in ages, too. Usually I'll scare up some likely candidates and present them as "I will talk with experts such as..."

You're right -- when you work with an editor for a while, they trust you to know what to ask of whom.

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:14:53 +0000

How I structure queries depends a lot on who I'm pitching.

With most of my regular editors, I send a brief sentence noting the topic and angle. Occasionally I need to point out why the pitch is timely.

With new-to-me editors, or people I've only worked with a couple of times, I'll list the questions, as you did, note what sources/interviewee I would use, and possibly note why the topic would be of interest to the magazine's subscribers.

The only real difference is my long-time editors trust me to ask the right questions, so the pitch can be brief. But if it's an angle I don't think the editor will get right off the bat, I will include questions.

You're right, Lori - asking those questions in the query make writing the article so much easier since you've got the lead, source list, and outline all on one page.