They Joy of E-Queries

by Brigitte Aflalo-Calderon

Query letters allow us to grab the attention of those people who will eventually assign articles to us and pay for our work. To freelancers, query letters represent the most important vehicle available to reach out to editors. They allow them to not only sell their articles but also to sell themselves as the best person suited to write the article.

I used to dread writing query-letters. My story proposal could sit on my desk for days, weeks and even months before I found the courage to query it to magazines. As long as my article remained safely in my out-tray, I risked no rejection.

Bye-bye snail-mail

Writing and mailing a query letter requires many stages. To me each of them would represent a formidable obstacle, the opportunity to postpone if not abandon the whole process.

The first step, composing the query and formatting it according to the writing guidelines specified, was the most painful one. Next, printing the document and making sure that the margins, headers and page breaks and numbers had not disappeared used to drive me frantic -- my technology skills being minimal.

The following stages, researching the editor's mailing address, buying the proper envelopes -- one that would be addressed to the editor and the famous SASE, typing the addresses and putting the query with or without attachment into the envelope, left me in agony. They brought me closer to the final step, the visit to the post office.

There, I was known to hold on with all my strength to the envelope, as the post office attendant tried to take it away from me after having stamped it.

Then, I would wait anxiously by my mailbox for the response.

Professional and successful writers say that freelancers should send several queries a week. This goal remained a dream for me, until I discovered e-mail queries.

Welcome E-Queries

Preparing and sending a query by e-mail has completely transformed my life as a writer. I no longer dread the process. I even dare to say that I enjoy it.

E-mailing a query goes more or less like this:
- Write query letter
- Paste it into the body of an email
- Hit the "Send" Key
- Receive a response via E-mail (usually more quickly)

The process saves time, money, energy and agony. Fortunately, today, while many editors require that query letters be mailed, a greater number accepts cover letters and manuscripts by e-mail.

The Process

Writing an email query is essentially no different than writing one on paper. The first thing you have to do, however, is to find out if the editors accept e-queries. If they don't, and you send one, you'll do nothing but annoy an editor/potential client.

You need to do the same homework you would do if you were hand-mailing your query. Read the writer's guidelines and study each publication, then tailor your query accordingly. A good example would be something like, "After studying your publication, I feel my article is a good fit for your section on -------because..." Editors will recognize your professionalism.

Recommendations

Your query should outline the following:

- What your idea is
- How you plan to present it
- Who/what your sources are
- Why you are qualified to write the piece
- The estimated word count

For a great e-query letter, experts recommend that you:

Always address it to a specific person rather than to the Editor. It will show that you are professional and have done your research.

Keep it as simple and short as possible.

Make sure it answers two of the main questions any editor has:

Why would my readers be interested in your article? Why should I pick you to write this article?

Include a link to your site, if possible, for past clips and credits.

Send published clips in the body of the message rather than as attachment that will have to be downloaded. Editors are pressed by time.

Watch your language. E-mail tends to be more casual than letters, but an e-query is still a professional pitch letter. In essence, you're asking for a job.

Use the subject line to your advantage. Editors get a lot of e-mail; make your subject line shine so that it will immediately grab the editor's attention.

Triple check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A wonderful query can be ruined by these simple mistakes.

Include your mailing address and telephone number. Just because it's an electronic query, that doesn't mean an editor won't contact you by standard mail or by phone.

Avoid fancy fonts and formats.

Send a copy to yourself of everything that you send to an editor, including e-queries and articles you submit for precaution and record-keeping, in addition to keeping a hard copy.

Once you have hit the "send" button, work on another query.

It is that simple.

Brigitte Aflalo-Calderonis a freelance writer specialized in women’s issues and children non-fiction. She is responsible for a monthly column at Washington Women, Looking your Best. Her articles have appeared in numerous sites and publications, including http://Medscape.com, http://Aribella.com, E-Pregnancy, Nervy Girl, WashingtonParents and New Moon for Girls.