Comments on: Sample of a Successful Query Letter to Reader’s Digest http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/sample-successful-query-letter-readers-digest/ Tips for writers, freelancers, and novelists paired with quips from successful authors, to help you write better! Tue, 15 May 2012 00:28:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: .Freelancedom* » Blog Archive » Link Love: February 13 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/sample-successful-query-letter-readers-digest/comment-page-1/#comment-646 .Freelancedom* » Blog Archive » Link Love: February 13 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:56:03 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/?p=23#comment-646 [...] Quips and Tips for Freelance Writers’ A Successful Query to Reader’s Digest [...] [...] Quips and Tips for Freelance Writers’ A Successful Query to Reader’s Digest [...]

]]> By: Incurable Disease of Writing » Just Write Blog Carnival July 18, 2008 Edition http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/sample-successful-query-letter-readers-digest/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Incurable Disease of Writing » Just Write Blog Carnival July 18, 2008 Edition Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:03:41 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/?p=23#comment-51 [...] Pawlik-Kienlen presents Example of a Successful Query to Reader’s Digest | Quips and Tips for Freelance Writers posted at Quips and Tips for Freelance Writers, saying, “Here’s the query letter that [...] [...] Pawlik-Kienlen presents Example of a Successful Query to Reader’s Digest | Quips and Tips for Freelance Writers posted at Quips and Tips for Freelance Writers, saying, “Here’s the query letter that [...]

]]> By: Dawn http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/sample-successful-query-letter-readers-digest/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Dawn Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:45:46 +0000 http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/?p=23#comment-28 Following the format of the book shown above (Query Letters that Rock, which is fantastic!), I decided to go through Laurie's query and point out what I imagine the Reader's Digest editors liked about it. I posted this on the popular writing forum, www.absolutewrite.com, and Laurie requested that I add it to her blog as well. So here it is... Great query letter and congrats on Reader's Digest!! In my opinion, you have several elements of a successful query here: 1). Right out of the gate, you showed that you have knowledge of the publication, did your research. This would catch my attention as an editor. You found a gap and are filling it for them. 2). Headline layout is extremely eye-catching... I know writers differ on this, but I like the headline centered and bolded on the page. Also... of course, quality query aside, you have hit upon a hot topic and given it a seasonal twist. Who *wouldn't* buy this article? If I'm an editor, in your headline I see three words that will make my readers pick up this issue for this article: Green, Eco-Friendly, Valentine's Day (and the 10 Ways is always a classic!) * Your query is very easy to read, the list works extremely well, and leaves no doubt in the editor's mind that all 10 of your reasons are solid. *Concise paragraph following your list expands upon your main ideas. Sidebars are a great added touch. *Five days is a great turn-around. If I'm an editor on deadline with a hole to fill, I would jump on this piece. BTW, may I borrow your sentence "or whatever our contract stipulates?" That's a great way to word it, giving your self more time if it's available. (While also assuming a contract will be sent, which is not always the case with smaller publications, so it brings up the topic and presents you as a professional.) * Good, short bio with impressive credentials. I like how you included the links in a complete sentence. Nice touch. (May I borrow that as well? LOL) Laurie, thanks for sharing this. Following the format of the book shown above (Query Letters that Rock, which is fantastic!), I decided to go through Laurie’s query and point out what I imagine the Reader’s Digest editors liked about it.

I posted this on the popular writing forum, http://www.absolutewrite.com, and Laurie requested that I add it to her blog as well. So here it is…

Great query letter and congrats on Reader’s Digest!! In my opinion, you have several elements of a successful query here:

1). Right out of the gate, you showed that you have knowledge of the publication, did your research. This would catch my attention as an editor. You found a gap and are filling it for them.

2). Headline layout is extremely eye-catching… I know writers differ on this, but I like the headline centered and bolded on the page. Also… of course, quality query aside, you have hit upon a hot topic and given it a seasonal twist. Who *wouldn’t* buy this article? If I’m an editor, in your headline I see three words that will make my readers pick up this issue for this article: Green, Eco-Friendly, Valentine’s Day (and the 10 Ways is always a classic!)

* Your query is very easy to read, the list works extremely well, and leaves no doubt in the editor’s mind that all 10 of your reasons are solid.

*Concise paragraph following your list expands upon your main ideas. Sidebars are a great added touch.

*Five days is a great turn-around. If I’m an editor on deadline with a hole to fill, I would jump on this piece. BTW, may I borrow your sentence “or whatever our contract stipulates?” That’s a great way to word it, giving your self more time if it’s available. (While also assuming a contract will be sent, which is not always the case with smaller publications, so it brings up the topic and presents you as a professional.)

* Good, short bio with impressive credentials. I like how you included the links in a complete sentence. Nice touch. (May I borrow that as well? LOL)

Laurie, thanks for sharing this.

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