Knock Their Socks Off: Writing Great Query Letters, PART III

Publication Query Letters

Another kind of query letter often written is the kind sent to a publication, usually proposing a specific article idea. The following letter reunites us with our old friend, Pam the Pirate, as she queries the animal magazine called Dog Fancy. That’s right…dogs…who are fancy. Like these:

Dear Ms. DiGiorgio:

This January, Westland/Hallmark Meat Co, the country’s largest cattle farm was forced to recall 143 million pounds of beef due to diseased and mistreated cows. The worst part? The majority of the beef was en route to Purina, the nation’s leading manufacturer of dog food. After the huge Chinese pet food scare last summer, dog owners deserve to know: how do they make sure their dog’s food is safe?

I’d like to offer you a 1,100-word article titled “Til the Dogs Come Home.” The article would discuss how pet owners can make sure they are buying the safest, most wholesome food for their dog as well as helping to ease the larger public safety issues with tainted meat. On March 17, 2007, the FDA and USDA lost another battle when they found contaminants in vegetable proteins imported into the United States from China and used as ingredients in pet food. Besides killing countless beloved dogs and cats, these tainted proteins were also put in farm animal feed. The same cows who ate the tainted melamine could very well be the sick animals who ended up in your dog’s food today. When will the cycle stop? What can we do to protect ourselves and our pets?

My article would investigate the negligence on behalf of the FDA and the need for Congress to overhaul the entire food inspection program. There are several reliable, top-shelf dog food brands, such as Blue Seal, Breeder’s Choice, Stella and Chewy’s, and Natura Pet Products that manufacture using their own organic ingredients and oversee everything at their own plant. But when even the most specialized of dog food brands are in danger of being tainted, the public needs to react. It’s time to fight back.

I’m a staff writer at the Phoenix Gazette. I have published editorials in Arizona Weekly as well as various online publications. I believe this article would be timely and useful to your audience; if you agree, I can provide the piece within 30 days of your go-ahead. Thanks for your time; I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Truly,

Article Query Letter Tips:

1. Much like novel query letters, the best way for Article queries to start is with an interesting hook. For the Dog Fancy article, Pam started with an informative, dramatic, and timely hook about tainted beef. She then applied it to the general interest of the magazine she is targeting: unsafe dog food.

2. Once you have an editor’s attention, move on to the pitch. Usually, this happens in your second paragraph, and its purpose is to explain exactly what you’re offering. Pam uses a few brief, informative paragraphs to unfold the complexities and relevance of her article about tainted pet food and the FDA’s repeated failures. She then moves on to the main part of her letter and really starts to “sell.” Her statistics are solid and the appeal to emotion is strong.

3. Pam ends the article by listing her credits, as well as the fact that the article would be relevant to the publication’s audience. She then states how soon the article could be ready and her willingness to connect with the magazine. Thanking the editor for their time, as always, is priceless.

This is just one of the many types of cover and query letters that exist. There are also cover letters that accompany a screenplay in a screenwriting competition, cover letters for a short story contests, etc. But sticking to the basic rules presented in these letter composing articles should not only get you to the top of the stack, it should get you into the action. And that, as we say, is where it all happens.

Now go to WordHustler and compose your perfect letter. Hustle on, WordHustlers!