Query Letters vs. Networking: Part One

There are two ways to get published: one is through writing an awesome query letter, and another is by networking with editors and then sending them a query. Which way works better? I would have to say that for me, it's a toss up between the two. I landed my first published article while interning for the magazine I currently work at (this was back in my college days), and later began writing for them as a freelancer, and eventually worked as a freelance editor for them. If it weren't for my college internship, I probably never would have become a freelancer for the publication (nor would I be working there today). This is mainly because when I started proposing articles to them, I didn't even know what a "query letter" was.

I would have to say that 50% of the articles I have landed were through networking, and 50% through my querying skills. Some writers and editors would argue that networking helps you get a foot in the door, while others argue that a good query letter will help you get your foot in the door. I would have to say it's a toss up. I have sent some proposals to many magazines with very weak query letters (by saying weak I usually mean short, sweet and to the point), but I think including well-written articles along with my query letters makes up for any weaknesses in the query writing department.

Of course, on the other hand, when proposing articles to larger magazines (such as Wired, Rolling Stone, Family Circle, etc.) an editor won't even look at your clips if you don't have a well-written query letter...unless, of course, you've previously caught their attention through your brilliant networking skills. Following are a couple of query letters that I have sent to different magazines - some are good query letters, some aren't too great. To add in a fun factor to this blog, I want you to try and guess which ones I was able to get assignments from, and which ones I didn't. Also, if you think I received an assignment, go one step further and guess if I landed the assignment because of my savvy networking skills or if I landed the assignment because of my strong query writing skills. In Query Letters vs. Networking: Part Two, I will reveal which letters earned assignments, and which assignments were earned from networking skills. I'll also deconstruct each query letter to show you what their strengths and weaknesses were.

Query #1:
Hi X,

While brainstorming ideas for articles, I thought of something that I thought would be perfect for Young Rider. I know that you don't assign a lot of articles to freelancers, but I thought I'd send you my idea anyways. The topic of "Finding the Perfect Show Pony", "Buying Your First Horse" or "Finding a Horse For Your Child" has been written about millions of times, but while thinking about these various topics, I realized that nobody has ever really geared these articles to younger children. I'm sure that young rider already has, but I was thinking about writing an article entitled "Are You Ready For Your First Horse?". I know that there are a lot of children out there that ride horses and read Young Rider, but who don't actually own a horse. Actually, reading magazines like Young Rider helps these kids to keep their dreams alive of owning a horse someday (I know this from my own childhood experiences, and because my husband has had many students that were horseless riders and read the magazine). I thought it would be a good idea to write an article for kids who are dreaming of someday owning a horse, but don't have one yet. Here are some of the topics/questions that I would cover for readers:

-How many hours do you spend in the barn?

-What is your experience with horses? Have you learned the different aspects of caring for a horse, or do you only ride horses?

-Do you enjoy the different aspects of horse care, such as mucking stalls, feeding and watering your horses, etc.?

-Do you have reliable transportation (Mom, Dad, bike, etc.) that can take you to the barn to meet the farrier/vet?

-What is your schedule like? Do you have a lot of extracurricular activities after school/on the weekends? How important are these activities? Are they more important/less important to you than riding?

-What is your (or your parents') financial situation like? Taking care of a horse is very expensive: vet bills, farrier bills, board, etc.

After addressing these questions and concerns, I would discuss other options available to children/kids who might not be ready to buy their own horse. Some additional options would be becoming a working student or working in exchange for ride time and/or lessons (this allows kids to learn about the different aspects of horse care in preparation for owning a horse some day while getting to ride at a discount or for free) or leasing a horse. These additional options allow flexibility for children who don't have the money to buy a horse, or whose parents can't drive them to the barn all the time.

I don't think that this article would dissuade kids from wanting to buy a horse. Instead, it would make them understand what a big responsibility it is to own a horse, and hopefully allow them to find different options that will help them to bond with the animals that they love. I hope that you enjoy my ideas, and look forward to your response!

Thank you,

Elisabeth

Query #2:

Dear Mr. X,

I am writing regarding the possibility of writing an article on New England Dogsledding for Yankee Magazine. I have been reading Yankee Magazine for years, and I would bring a lot to your magazine, as I have written for multiple publications upon earning my B.A. in English Literature in 2005.

I assure you that I am very qualified to work as a freelance writer for Yankee, as I have experience writing on a broad spectrum of topics for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar [not related to the magazine] while interning there during my senior year of college. I am also currently doing freelance work as a sports writer for various newspapers throughout Massachusetts, including the Charlton Villager, Blackstone Valley Tribune, Auburn News and Spencer New Leader.

I have attached various samples of articles I have written for the Pedlar, and the various newspapers I have written for. I welcome speaking with you in the near future regarding writing for Yankee Magazine.

Sincerely,


Elisabeth Gilbride

Dear Mr. X,

In Mason Township, Maine, dogs are used as a mode of transportation. New England Dogsledding gives tours to both children and adults, educating them on the adventurous sport. This allows both locals and tourists to experience an incredibly exciting outdoor sport, which is often overlooked by many people who are too busy in today’s society to take a moment and enjoy adventure in the wild outdoors.
New England Dogsledding offers an incredible experience through different mushing options, as well as skijoring, where guests cross country ski with either their own dogs (or dogs provided by New England Dogsledding) pulling them. Both skier and dog are attached with a harness, which allows for an incredible opportunity. Another feature that makes this a unique experience is the fact that New England Dogsledding provides for accommodations at the Telemark Inn, a wilderness lodge that offers a rustic backdrop, making it quite comparable with its country setting.
I would like to cover an article for Yankee Magazine regarding the extraordinary experience that New England Dogsledding has to offer. With winter starting in a little over a month, this would be the perfect time for Yankee to consider an article like this. Both pet lovers and outdoorsmen would be interested in reading this article, and the demographics of many of your consumers fit either of those categories. Having one dog and a horse, I am an avid animal lover myself, which is why I would be the perfect candidate to write an article such as this one. I would like to write between approximately a thousand to fifteen hundred words, and plan on providing photos, but as I am a flexible writer, the article can be longer or shorter if you prefer. Because winter is so close upon us, I plan on attending a mushing event in early December, and getting the article to you within a week later, so you can feature it in your magazine by mid-winter. I have already made initial contact with Steve Crone at New England Dogsledding, and he was very receptive towards the idea of my writing an article. Please contact me at your earliest convenience, as I would like to submit a query to another magazine if you are not interested.

Sincerely,


Elisabeth Gilbride

Query #3:

Dear X,

Thank you for your quick response to my query regarding the profile
on Morgan Adair. I have been thinking of potential people to write a
profile on for The Chronicle of the Horse, and there is nobody I would
enjoy writing about more than Luis Denizard. Lou has been operating
his stable, Delante Equestrian Center, in Smithfield, R.I., since 1998,
but his skills aren't limited to running his own stable or teaching
lessons. He is an exceptional rider, and his credentials prove this,
as he just recently represented Puerto Rico at the 2007 Pan-Am Games
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while riding the horse Nalando. Upon
returning from the Pan-Am Games, Nalando contracted pneumonia, and is
now taking a break. Denizard is also a USDF Bronze & Silver Medalist,
a 2004 NEDA scholarship recipient, and a 2002 Major Anders Lindgren
Scholarship Recipient.

Lou is currently trying to qualify for the 2008 Olympics (he would
be representing Puerto Rico, not the U.S.), and will be headed down to
Florida in January to compete on Paige Finnegan's mare Karola 1. He
is also taking two other horses with him: My Aleman, whom he is hoping
to qualify for the 2010 Central American Games; and Paladin, whom he
is hoping to move up to 3rd level. Lou not only shows at the national
level, but also still competes locally, and teaches clinics in his
"spare time".

I have contacted Lou about the possibility of writing a profile on
him for The Chronicle, and he has been very receptive to the idea. I
am hoping to approach the story from the standpoint that he is an
American citizen that is representing the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
He was the first person to represent Puerto Rico in the Pan Am Games,
and if he competes in the 2008 Olympics, he will be the first to
represent Puerto Rico while in Beijing.

Although I understand you are very busy, I am hoping that you can
respond to me at your earliest convenience, as I am hoping to schedule
a time to interview him before he leaves for Florida in January. He
will also be in Puerto Rico between December 9, and December 14, so I
would really like to schedule a time to meet with him as soon as
possible. I have included a few article clips that I have written for
the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar. I look forward to hearing back from
you!

Best Wishes,
Elisabeth Gilbride