Monthly Archives: September 2020

HOW TO BE THE GO-TO WRITER FOR EDITORS


It’s every writer’s dream to be approached by an editor to write an assignment. But this doesn’t happen by chance.

First of all you need to show that you are a professional writer by sending in relevant pitches.

If your pitch is accepted you should then follow up with a well written article, submitted in time having been well edited and proof-read.

Do this a few times and you may well find that the editor starts to approach you with ideas

Here are a few tips to get you to that situation:

*Read many copies of the publication you want to write for from cover to cover. See what they publish and what has been covered recently.

*Check word length/ style/ type of articles etc.

*Send in a well thought out and well written query letter to the right editor.

*Where relevant include names of people you will interview / images you can provide / sidebars you will add .

Explain what the readers will gain from your article, why NOW is the best time write it and why you are the best person to write it.
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*Read your acceptance letter carefully to see what the editor wants you to write. She might have added other aspects she wants covered/ other people she wants interviewed.

*Keep to your deadline – inform the editor in plenty of time if you know you’ll be late.

*Edit/ proofread your piece several times.

*Make sure you’ve included everything you offered in your query  and written it according to all the requests of the editor.

*If asked to make changes  don’t kvetch!

*As soon as this one is finished and accepted – send another query.