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by April Boyer



SEEDS in SEASON Editing
Gramma Apple's Seeds

WHAT'S NEXT?

Speakers and Writers! The tele-conference that was conducted Nov 15th sponsored by www.WomenSpeakers.com., interviewing me in Q&A article for speakers "What's Next" is now available in transcript, here. See the special offer for your "Developmental Plan" below.

What is it that qualifies you to speak about the topics you now love? These skills are probably the same gifts that equip you to write expertly in your field of interest.

As speakers, communication skills enable us to go further into the actual publication of the same topics about which you've been speaking or teaching, and provide further opportunities for ministry. Many book authors began their journies in local papers, contests and magazines. If you have ever wanted to write a book, these tips can help!

Join Marnie Swedberg and guests as we look at how to use your current resources and gifts to reach more people, polish your communication skills and potentially break into the market of published works.

A special offer from Seeds in Season Editing (by April Boyer) is included in the transcript to help you get off to a writing start. A free estimate for editing, and a "Developmental Plan". Do you need some direction or suggestions about how your speaking topics can be turned into print?

Marnie Swedberg asks the questions:

Question #1. We’ll talk on the call about all the various aspects of writing articles for publication, but we are excited to hear some tips from you about how to get these articles accepted for publication in traditional magazines.

Answer, Part 1. Edit, edit, edit. Read aloud you article to yourself, to someone else, and allow them to read it to you. Hearing your work lets you know things that you may not see in the printed word. When you are satisfied, put your work aside for awhile and edit one more time.

-We know we have to determine which magazine we want to target – and the gals have a list of potentials in hand.
-Then, we study the magazine’s submission requirements and tweak our articles to match the niche and their standards.

Answer, Part 2. Always, always be sure you know what kind of stories the magazine publishes. Not only do you need to study the articles and stories in the magazine, but also notice what kind of audience they address. Look at the advertisements. These will generally match the audience needs, and the audience demographics. Pay attention to the style of writing the magazine uses most. Is it folksy, trendy, academic, highly professional, or glossy with many advertisements?

Note what part of the country in which the magazine is sold. If it is a smaller magazine, notice where it is distributed. Be sure that your factual article is backed up by reliable information that is documented and quoted. Study the material provided by Writer's Market Guides.

If you can target your article to match their needs as precisely as possible, you're closer to being accepted. If you're not even in the same ballpark, you will be quickly eliminated. Editors complain that the biggest mistake and reason for rejection is that the writer doesn't know enough about the magazine to which she is proposing.

What’s next?

Answer, Part 3. Write a query letter that is as polished and strong as your article, and make it brief. (if a query letter is requested!) Make sure you address it to the CURRENT editor by the exact name that is listed in the most recent release of the magazine. It is perfectly acceptable to call the magazine's main office and ask the name of the editor, and for it to be spelled to you! Editors change often, sometimes within one year.

In this electronic age, queries are often accepted, and sometimes only accepted by email. The query should include a strong introduction to your story, and a short paragraph about your background, and experience that demonstrates why you can produce this story. Study any number of help books on how to write a successful query, including a section in the Christian Writer's Market Guide. Demonstrate in your query that you do know what the magazine is about, and why your article will fit nicely within it's pages.

If you don't hear back from someone in about 8 weeks, it is acceptable to call and ask "what is the status of the article I sent to you on (such and such date) titled "________" ?

Question #2. Editors receive hundreds or even thousands of articles. Do we have any hope of getting noticed?

Answer. As speakers, you have every reason to be hopeful of notice! You have gained some area of expertise. This is to your advantage! You have some experience in a particular field that will shout your name! What makes you unique in a line-up of other writers?

When you sign your query letter, you can add a very short bio line that states: "Speaker for . . . women's groups … on such and such topics (name your best title.). Again, be sure that the topic you are presenting is something this magazine will want. If you have someone or some organization that can back up your statement, this will get attention as well. Reserve this information until you speak to the editor or when he requests any follow-up information. Don't assume you only know one topic either! If you are involved in more than one role; for instance - mother, Sunday school teacher, lady's club organizer, AND speaker; examine how these roles connect for you. Chances are they happen because God has bestowed particular strengths in your personality.

Note whether the magazine has recently published an article that is in any way similar to what you are considering. You'll want to avoid that, unless you can carry the topic a step further. Perhaps the topic has not been approached at all. If it fits the needs of the magazine, that can be an advantage.

General audience magazines are also always looking for articles by men, for men; particularly for family or spiritual topics.

The editor will notice that your grammar and punctuation is correct, and that there is a professional tone in the writing. Again, read it over, have others read it, and edit!

Magazines also look for writers who can interview other professionals. Since you have likely connected with professionals in the field that you address, you have another useful tool:

You are Christian speakers. Editors will expect you to have a reliable reputation. You already have authority in God's courts.

Question #3. What are some tips, tricks or practices that make a difference when trying to win a magazine editor’s favor?

Answer. *Make your query as simple and neat as possible. Learn to use email if you are not doing so now. Use a large, simple font that is easy to read, like Times New Roman. Double space if the guidelines say double space.

* Use your email letter just as professionally as you would a hand-typed or written letter. Do not use your "on-line user name" or nickname. Do not use short-hand that is common in email. Do spell-check, and use grammar helps. Don't use stationary, back ground colors, graphics or lengthy bio-lines. Editors truly don't have time to enjoy nice flowery backgrounds or graphics added to the page. These additions may be distracting or even obstruct your text. Do add an address/contact block at the bottom however.

*In email, always use the subject line, never leave it blank. Simply state:
"Query: The Christian that Comforts". (Your title)

*Show them that you've done your homework. You know their magazine, you know your article will fit nicely into their format, you know it!

*Offer a package. If your topic allows, offer a related side bar of a few paragraphs, a quiz or statistical information. If offering an interview, give the editor an outline. If you do nice photographs and the magazine is open to that, mention that you have some related photographs available. Make his/her job easier. However, do not offer or send art work. Most magazines contract for artists.

*Don't expect an editor to respond immediately, and don't call repeatedly when he has not.

*Be flexible. If the editor asks for a re-write, or for small changes in your article, of if he asks if you can re-focus the article, consider it an opportunity. If has asks you to cut the piece, add 500 words, or add a related side bar, determine if you are able to do that, and be ready to do it again! Once asked, you will be considered the next time a similar situation comes up.

*Be available. If an editor does follow up with you to accept or discuss an article, it's very frustrating and damaging if you cannot be reached.

*Again, follow the guidelines. Follow the word count requested.

* Pray your article through its journey, pray for your own strength and ability whatever the response, and pray for your audience. After all, whom are you trying to reach, and for what reason?

*Because you are Christian speakers, you have validity and credibility. God has given you a purpose. It is not wrong to wear a badge that says you are an expert or experienced. Do you believe he has designed quality work? Believe!

© April Boyer All Rights Reserved.

April is a free lance writer in mid Ohio , wife, mother of two and Gramma Apple to two precious gems. She has published more than 47 articles in regional and national magazines and newspapers, and additional devotionals in e-zines. She is the retired founder and director of the 6-year old Ashland Area Christian Writer’s Guild, and has printed a handbook, How to Establish a Christian Writer’s Group, available for sale through her website "Seeds in Season" -http://aprilboyer.com. Pages on the website include her own writing services, writer’s tips, encouragement, inspiration and a Bible study. Please mail requests or questions to April through her website contact page.

If you've been thinking about how you can write your experiences, perhaps my editing services can help. I can give you a free estimate, and will offer exclusively to you now, a "Developmental Plan". Do you need some direction or suggestions about how your speaking topics can be turned into print? This plan will help you find your strong points, and weak areas that need improvement. (Does not include market research). The cost is a one-time $20. This offer will remain good through March 2008.
Contact me.