Query letters that land in the editor's wastebasket:
1) Misspell the editor's name
2) Lack demonstrated knowledge of the specific market
3) Lack specifics about the idea you're pitching
4) Lack focus
5) Are too long
6) Contain errors in grammar and punctuation
7) Don't contain an offer/call to action
(copyright 2000 by Rick Cook)
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I know query letters are essential for long articles, but what about those short, short articles I see scattered throughout the magazines I read? Most offer bylines and they are short (I'm talking 100-150 words). Did those writers submit queries for these teeny pieces? Do you just send the completed articles to editors if they are really short (the articles, not the editors), or is a query letter required even though the query would be longer than the article? I am new to all this. Just trying to break into the magazine article biz while finishing my first book. Thanks so much for any advice you can provide...
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