ABSTRACT
As we have seen, there are a number of steps that must be taken before a writer is ready to craft an article for publication. An estimated 90 percent of all pitches are, well, pitched—rejected by editors. This statistic should not be daunting to the emerging writer. The percentage is so high because so many stories are proposed by people who don’t have a clue about how to frame a story, sharpen the angle, and, as important as anything else, make the most effective presentation to editors using a few well-established techniques to gain favorable attention. That will be the focus of this chapter. Learning Objectives
Develop strategies that put you on the right path to your target magazine.
Navigate paths to editors who are receptive to your ideas.
Develop an understanding of what editors are looking for in queries from writers.
Translate your story idea into a pitch that will be read by editors.
Develop a checklist of elements to include in your query.
