The magazine business is a tough one, especially for new writers trying to make their mark in the writing world. It can be hard to find ideas and stand out from amongst the many people vying to see their name in print on glossy paper. So what happens if you do have a great idea for an article? What if you have a story that is in dire need of being told? How do you make the idea come to life in the pages of a magazine? Simple: write a magazine query.

First, determine your story.
Yes, pretty obvious but also pretty important. For the next few weeks or months, this story is your baby. You eat, breathe, sleep this story. You want to know every single aspect of it, frontwards and backwards. You need to be able to answer questions such as why this particular story would appeal to readers and what value it adds to the magazine. Your story idea needs to be specific and timely. Writing a story about the best vacation spots for a November issue isn’t timely or specific.

Write the letter.
This step is the most critical, because this letter will determine whether or not an editor develops interest in the story. The letter should be formal and address the editor. It needs to explain who you are and this is where it is OK to brag: talk about your credentials, where you went to school, what other publications you have written for, etc. Then talk about the story. Show your passion! Tell the editor why this story must be in their magazine and be very detailed about the piece. The editor should easily be able to discover what the story is about. Make it exciting and intriguing because your letter is not the first one they’ve read this week. It needs to stand out and that involves you doing what you do best: writing creatively!

Check for spelling and grammar.
Nothing turns an editor off more than a misspelled word or a misplaced comma. Check your letter a few times for any spelling and grammar problems, and even have someone else look at it. This is a foolproof way to get your story axed before the editor has even read it.

Keep trying.
If this article, the one you thought was a rock star idea, doesn’t make it, don’t give up. Writing is a tough business to break into and you have to be willing to put in the effort, and deal with rejection. It happens to all of us, so just keep writing, keeping submitting the queries, and keep honing your craft.