Here’s a successful query letter - it’s how I pitched the first article I ever sold to Reader’s Digest. Even though I broke a couple of rules, I won the assignment and still write for them regularly. (Click the book cover for more information about writing successful query letters).

But first, a quip for freelance writers from James Michener:

“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter,” said Michener.

My favorite way to write is work on an article over a 3 week span. I’ll hack away at it a little bit every day, sometimes letting two days go by without looking at it, always finding new ways to fine tune it. I know it’s done when I simply can’t make it better.

On to a successful query letter to Reader’s Digest. I should’ve found out the editor’s name - I cringe when I look at “Dear Editors.” Of course, that doesn’t stop me from doing it even now, to magazines in which I can’t find the editor’s name online. Okay, here’s how to write a successful query letter…

Example of a Successful Query Letter to Reader’s Digest

Editors
Reader’s Digest

September 24, 2007

Dear Editors,

I searched the Reader’s Digest archives for eco-friendly Valentine’s Day tips and came up empty. Would your readers be interested in 10 green ways to say “I love you” — not only to their partners, but to the planet too?

Go Green on Valentine’s Day:
Ten Eco-Friendly Ways to Say “I Love You”

These timeless ways to express love come with a healthy green twist.

1. Write an original or classic poem on hemp, bamboo, organic cotton or banana stalk paper.
2. Send fragrant, organic flowers to the office.
3. Indulge with fair trade chocolate.
4. Dig for conflict-free diamonds.
5. Tantalize your tastebuds at a classy vegan, vegetarian or “green” restaurant.
6. Toast your love with organic wine, beer or liquor.
7. Sip organic champagne from recycled green glass goblets.
8. Explore vintage shops for unique, chic recycled jewelry.
9. Give eco-friendly bath bombs, body creams and fragrances.
10. Get romantic with natural massage oils, soy candles, and organic lingerie.

In 500 words, these 10 tips will include the most recent research findings and a brief explanation, which will make it easy to say “I love you” in an earth-friendly way. Eye-catching sidebars include 5 Green Valentine’s Activities for Kids and Green Adventures: 5 Eco-Tours for Lovers (an extra 300 words each).

Are you interested in this article - or a version of it - for Reader’s Digest? If so, I can have it to you within five business days, or whatever our contract stipulates.

To read my most current articles, click on the links in green below. I write for various publications (Good Times, Esteem, Today’s Health and Wellness, alive, cahoots) as well as weekly articles for the local newspaper. My degrees are in Psychology and Education.

Thanks for your time,

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is “Freelancing full-time. Will write for food.”

• Visit theAdventurousWriter.com - for credentials & published works.
• And Quips & Tips for Healthy Women - because “well-behaved women rarely make history.”
• And Quips & Tips for Freelance Writers - to learn how writers succeed.

(This last bolded section is my signature line in all my emails.)

That’s how some writers write successful query letters. To see how the article looks on the Reader’s Digest website, read Go Green on Valentine’s Day.

Do you have any quips or tips for successful query letters? Please comment - I’d love to hear from you!