May 14, 2002

By
Meg Weaver, Editor, mweaver@woodenhorsepub.com

Dear fellow writers,

Earthquakes have a way of rattling nerves; never mind how many you've been through.

Last night, right after I had just dozed off to sleep, the world shook. Just five or six seconds, but it was hard to go back to sleep, so I am slightly bleary-eyed this morning.

However, I like to continue to comment on the responses Wooden Horse received from our recent ad for a news writer. Not because I'm trying to embarrass you but because my observations may help writers write better query letters. And, don't be afraid. I won't name names and my examples are made up - but based on actual responses.

Last week we discussed some housekeeping issues but this week, we'll start to look at first impressions.

In writing, first impressions are crucial. Those of you, who write promotional copy, know that you have two, maybe three seconds to hook a reader. It's the same when you write an editor. If, in those few seconds, you haven't established yourself as a serious professional worthy of more attention, you've already lost. Last week we talked about how some of you managed to irritate me in even less time by sending attachments, when I specifically asked not to receive any. I promise I did read everybody's entire message (although not the attachment unless I recognized your name) but a harried editor may not. This week I thought I'd point out another part of your e-mails that can instantly create the wrong impression of you - and one you may never have thought about.

I'm talking about your e-mail address.

What perception does your e-mail address create in the editor's mind? And remember, "only perceptions are real" as a well-known advertising executive once said.

Here I am, looking for a news writer, and into my in-tray drops an application from Photographer@xyz.com. Can you blame me for wondering what this applicant's main talent is?

I also received e-mails from Mysterywriter@xyz.com and Romancewriter@xyz.com. Why create an impression that you really are interested in a different kind of writing?

Many e-mail addresses seemed to be family maiboxes, it being formed by the first names of spouses, like john-jane@xyz.com. It set up a hurdle in my mind, fearing that any future e-mails of mine will become lost among howdy's from Auntie Em, threatening viruses and school truancy reports.

Then there are the tons of e-mails with the word "writer" or "scribe" included, such as writerJane@xyz.com, Johnwrites@xyz.com, scribeMary@xyz.com, Imawriter@xyz.com and, inexplicably, writinghigh@xyz.com. I also received a message from a self-described writinggod@xyz.com, and hundreds of other variations on the writer@xyz.com theme If you want to stand out in a crowd, do not use "writer" in your e-mail address.

Also, to retain a professional image, I would avoid personal statements, like superwoman@xyz.com or redsoxfan@xyz.com.

And I can't help but wonder about these: Spook@xyz.com and swimtheoceans@xyz.com.

These may seem like petty complaints but when eyeball-to-eyeball with hundreds of e-mails, employers and editors scan the messages and quickly drop them onto a "read more carefully" or "don't bother" pile. In those few seconds unprofessionalism and quirkiness do get noticed - the wrong way. Why deliberately give yourself such a handicap?

Simply use your name, your initials or a combination thereof. A simple jsmith@xyz.com is a safe choice. Don't allow the editor to stop and spend time on your e-mail address the few seconds you get with her.

Next week we'll discuss how to get dropped onto that "read more carefully" pile. Stay tuned.

WOODEN HORSE TOOLS FOR WRITERS
Marketing tips from a long-time freelancer:

WRITING QUERY LETTERS - Special Report #3
HOW TO SEND 50 QUERIES PER WEEK - Special Report #4
KNOW THE ARTICLES EDITORS WANT (AND WHEN) - Special Report #5

Each is $5.95 and you can find them here: http://www.woodenhorsepub.com/spreportssales.html.

NEW STUFF IN THE DATABASE

Today, the secret to making money as a writer means selling stories to not just one, but to many magazines from the same research. In this edition of the News Alert newsletters we suggest writing opportunities that we come across in our daily work with magazines. Many of these you might never have thought of as possible markets.

~~~ ZIFF DAVIS' SMART BUSINESS ~~~

ZIFF DAVIS' SMART BUSINESS used to be PC COMPUTING and has evolved into a business magazine, not a technology magazine.

At $1.00 per word it's a very well-paying market for freelance writers but keep in mind its changed focus. It now gives practical hands-on advice on how to use technology to grow a business, not just explaining new technology or announcing it.

The articles must have a definite business focus, not a technology focus. And the stories should be practical, not high-level or strategic. Like these recent articles: "Special Delivery - Five ways to go the extra mile for your customers"; or "Torture Test: Do the devices you count on to keep you in touch with the office really stand a chance?"; or "Online purchasing lops off an average $77 per order."

We have their 2002 editorial calendar, of course.

~~~ JADE ~~~

JADE is a nice little online magazine for Asian women.

As they say, they "strive to be the voice of English-speaking Asian women around the world by creating a forum to shatter the myths that exist about us, as well as providing a needed medium for the open discussion of our views, ideas and concerns. We highlight and showcase the talents and successes of Asian and Asian American women in all arenas."

They publish articles on career, fitness, family, legal issues, personal finance, relationships, beauty, fashion and health.

Just keep in mind, it is a non-paid market.

~~~ GOLF ILLUSTRATED ~~~

GOLF ILLUSTRATED is the oldest golf magazine in the U.S. and is simply about playing golf.

It's mission is to "help golfers shave stokes off their scores" and keep in mind that illustrations are an integral part of any submission. You are paid for them but writers - or a writer and photographer team - should carefully plan what to shoot to illustrate the article. These are not on-the-go snapshots but very carefully planned complements to the article

. We have their 2002 editorial calendar and their very detailed writer's guidelines. But this is a reasonably well-paying market.

~~~ REAL SIMPLE ~~~

If you haven't seen them, we do have REAL SIMPLE's 2002 editorial calendar.

They don't accept freelance submissions yet (still tinkering with the magazine's concept, no doubt) but the sales are picking up speed, and according to the publisher, they're on track. So, eventually the frenetic intro environment will calm down and the editors will feel more comfortable with freelance material. We'll keep our eyes open and will let you know.

PR professionals, however, should try to pitch this mass-market magazine with a twist: Living simple. Which, of course, doesn't mean living without things to buy.

~~~ PEOPLE ~~~

PEOPLE magazine rarely uses freelance material but it is, of course, the PR professionals' dream, especially for agencies with celebrity clients.

Writers, however, must come to the table with an unusual story - usually one of those "ordinary people who do extraordinary things" - to get a chance. However, the magazine doesn't provide any writer's guidelines, nor other writing information although we suspect that they will pay on acceptance and buy all rights like most Time Inc magazines. And they're listed in National Writer's Union's list of magazines that pay at least $1.00 per word.

We have their 2002 editorial calendar and reader demographics.

~~~ BRIDAL GUIDE ~~~

BRIDAL GUIDE covers not only "bridal" subjects. Although its focus is on making the actual wedding day go smoothly, the editors really are looking for articles about relationships, marriage, sexuality, fitness, psychology, finance and travel, which means opportunities for a lot of writers.

There is no editorial calendar but a very detailed writer's guidelines. Don't query without reading them, since some material is written in-house and they will not accept queries for those. At $0.50 per word, this is a market worthy of a look.

~~~ BOWLING DIGEST ~~~

If you're really into bowling with access to the game's professionals, you may try writing for BOWLING DIGEST.

There are no formal writer's guidelines, nor is the pay real good, but if you do profiles or want to be a sportswriter when you grow up, get a start here.

Plan to provide photographs - and bring your telephoto lens; many of them seem to be a full frontal shot just as the bowling ball takes off.

We have their 2002 editorial calendar.

~~~ NEW ARCHITECT ~~~

NEW ARCHITECT is looking for experienced computer/Internet writers. Be sure to check the editorial calendar since the writer's guidelines clearly states that they don't accept topics outside of the calendar.

This is a free trade magazine and is heavy on nuts-and-bolts advice and tips, so don't even think about querying unless you have the technical knowledge. We have their 2002 writer's guidelines and editorial calendar.

All the details are in the Wooden Horse Magazines Database. If you are a subscriber, just go to our website at http://www.woodenhorsepub.com and click on "Database." If you like to sign up, go to "Order" and follow the instructions. You'll have a choice of subscription lengths to fit any budget.

NEW!

Want to query these magazines now?

Then sign up for our new DATABASE ALERTS. Only $19.95 per year gets you several hundred markets, complete with contact information and - exclusively - editorial calendars. Right in your e-mail inbox.

We've taken our popular Tuesday version of the News Alert newsletter, which is shock-full of writing news from our continual work with the magazines in the Database. Because you asked, we've then added complete contact information, with the appropriate mail or e-mail address, and the editorial calendar for each mentioned magazine - right in the newsletter!

To sign up, go to http://www.woodenhorsepub.com/page29.html. You'll get a quick e-mail confirmation of your order. You can also mail (with a check or credit card info) or fax (with credit card info) your orders to us. Contact information is at the end of this newsletter) - just include your e-mail address for delivery. Regular mail delivery is not available.

The Magazine Database is still the best way to always stay up-to-date on all the 2,000 US and Canadian consumer and trade magazines we report on and you can sign up at http://www.woodenhorsepub.com/database.asp.

But for $19.95 we deliver a year of market opportunities to jump on right now!

And as always - keep writing,

Meg

To subscribe to the News Alerts or unsubscribe, just e-mail Meg at mweaver@woodenhorsepub.com.

Copyright (c) 2001-2003 Wooden Horse Publishing. Please feel free to forward this News Alert but only in its entirety.