- QUERY TYPE: Print query (mailed)
- PITCHED TO: Editor
- SOLD TO: Boxing magazine and its companion website
- AUDIENCE: Boxing enthusiasts
- TYPE OF PITCH: Full article, 3,000 words
- COMPENSATION OF SOLD ARTICLE: $775.00 (US); editor paid extra for photos
The following italicized text is a full query letter sample, followed by a step-by-step explanation of the email’s various parts.
1. Sample Query Letter for a Boxing Magazine
Your Full Name
Optional title: freelance sports writer
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
E-mail address
Today’s date
Editor’s First name, Last name, [insert title; i.e. Editor]
Name of publication [i.e. The Boxing Magazine]
Mailing address
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Query – the greatest boxer of all time
Heavyweight champion Daniel Mendoza is bleeding profusely from a deep cut in the ribs on the right side, where a left-handed blow has taken effect with bullet-like sharpness. His head, on the left side, is horribly cut, his left eye and ear being much mutilated. But as nothing are these wounds compared with those of his opponent, Richard Humphries. Humphries’ chest and neck and head are covered with angry swellings and freely bleeding cuts. His right eye is tight closed and a cut over the left one impairs the sight of that orb. Mendoza, with a
straightforward, springing blow, has opened a wound, clear as a razor cut, by the left side of Humphries’ nose and in the same manner has split his upper lip. The struggle grows brutal. Poor Humphries is done for, but he will not give in. Mendoza hammers him from corner to corner ….
I would like to submit an insightful, historical piece on legendary heavyweight boxer, Daniel Mendoza, entitled, [insert title of article] for [insert name of magazine]. My article runs 3,000 words.
As a long-time subscriber of your magazine, I know your readers enjoy learning about new heavyweight boxing champions from the past. My article provides an insightful, information-rich account of Daniel Mendoza, who was the first Jewish champion of the world. Beginning with Norman Figg, he was the sixteenth man to hold the heavyweight title. In addition to muscles, he possessed brains. He originated new blows, new parries, new foot movements. He took the art of boxing where he found it and improved it by 100 percent. A defense and an offense built
strictly on scientific lines he devised, practiced in his own battles and later taught to pupils, who taught it to others. Thus Daniel Mendoza revolutionized “the prize ring.” His advent ended the reign of the crude slugger.
I do think that my article will interest your readers who are hardcore fans of legendary heavyweights who have transformed boxing into what it is today. Not only do I cover the “behind the scenes” of Mendoza’s most notable boxing matches, but I also provide your readers with Mendoza’s strict training program and his many unique boxing techniques that championship fighters still use today.
I have reviewed your submission guidelines and strongly feel that my article would fit best in the “Fight Night Legends from the Past” department. I also noticed in your Editorial Calendar that your magazine plans to cover “famous immigrant boxers” for the July issue. If it’s not too late, I believe my article would greatly complement your content for this issue.
I hope you decide to review “[insert title of article]”, and if so, I can mail or e-mail you my completed article. I can also provide several royalty-free black-and-white photos that highlight Mendoza’s spectacular boxing career.
I am a full-time freelance writer and sports blogger. My work has appeared in magazines such as [insert names of publications, websites, etc.]. I am a regular contributor for __________________, a mixed martial arts website.
I have put a selection of articles in an online portfolio at [include your website address or URLs to specific articles] to showcase my writing skills and knowledge of boxing. At my website, you can also read testimonials of satisfied editors who have published my material.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Your First Name, Last Name
2. Query Sample: Boxing Magazine – 10 Steps to the Perfect Pitch
STEP 1: ADDRESS YOUR QUERY LETTER
*NOTE: We recommend the following format: 1) margins: 1 – 1.5 inch; 2) typeface: Times New Roman; 3) font size: 12pt or 13pt; 4) line height: single space or 1.5 space; 5) align: left or justified; 6) paragraph type: block or indented; 7) address block: right justified; 8) editor’s address block: left justified; 9) ink color: black; 10) paper type: standard white, 8.5 x 11 inch.
Your Full Name
Optional title: freelance sports writer
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
E-mail address
Today’s date
Editor’s First name, Last name, [insert title; i.e. Editor]
Name of publication [i.e. The Boxing Magazine]
Mailing address
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Query – the greatest boxer of all time
Dear Mr. Collins, [Insert editor’s Last name],
*NOTE: The “RE:” is optional. The writer used “RE:,” meaning ‘regarding’ to inform the editor what he was submitting.
STEP 2: START YOUR QUERY LETTER BY ADDRESSING THE EDITOR
Dear Mr. Collins, [Insert editor’s Last name],
STEP 3: DEVELOP A STRONG LEAD-IN. GRAB THE EDITOR’S ATTENTION WITH A NARRATIVE OF YOUR ARTICLE
Heavyweight champion Daniel Mendoza is bleeding profusely from a deep cut in the ribs on the right side, where a left-handed blow has taken effect with bullet-like sharpness. His head, on the left side, is horribly cut, his left eye and ear being much mutilated. But as nothing are these wounds compared with those of his opponent, Richard Humphries. Humphries’ chest and neck and head are covered with angry swellings and freely bleeding cuts. His right eye is tight closed and a cut over the left one impairs the sight of that orb. Mendoza, with a
straightforward, springing blow, has opened a wound, clear as a razor cut, by the left side of Humphries’ nose and in the same manner has split his upper lip. The struggle grows brutal. Poor Humphries is done for, but he will not give in. Mendoza hammers him from corner to corner ….
*NOTE: Published freelance writers use different types of lead-in paragraphs to grab an editor’s attention. This writer used a descriptive, action-driven narrative that should make the editor want to read more.
STEP 3: PROPOSE WHAT YOU: 1) INTEND TO WRITE OR2) WHAT YOU WANT TO SUBMIT
I would like to submit an insightful, historical piece on legendary heavyweight boxer, Daniel Mendoza, entitled, [insert title of article] for [insert name of magazine]. My article runs 3,000 words.
STEP 4: EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE and/or UNIQUENESS OF YOUR ARTICLE
As a long-time subscriber of your magazine, I know your readers enjoy learning about new heavyweight boxing champions from the past. My article provides an insightful, information-rich account of Daniel Mendoza, who was the first Jewish champion of the world. Beginning with Norman Figg, he was the sixteenth man to hold the heavyweight title. In addition to muscles, he possessed brains. He originated new blows, new parries, new foot movements. He took the art of boxing where he found it and improved it by 100 percent. A defense and an offense built
strictly on scientific lines he devised, practiced in his own battles and later taught to pupils, who taught it to others. Thus Daniel Mendoza revolutionized “the prize ring.” His advent ended the reign of the crude slugger.
*NOTE: This writer cleverly reveals that he is a long-time subscriber of the magazine and therefore knows what topics its readers appreciate. Of course, if you are NOT a subscriber of the magazine to which you are pitching, leave this line out. It would be better to say that you have reviewed issues of the magazine or reviewed the magazine’s articles and archives at its website.
STEP 5: EXPLAIN HOW THE MAGAZINE’S READERS WILL BENEFIT FROM READING YOUR ARTICLE
I do think that my article will interest your readers who are hardcore fans of legendary heavyweights who have transformed boxing into what it is today. Not only do I cover the “behind the scenes” of Mendoza’s most notable boxing matches, but I also provide your readers with Mendoza’s strict training program and his many unique boxing techniques that championship fighters still use today.
*NOTE: Based on the magazine’s readership and demographics, readers will find this article interested in learning something new about boxing. Also, a large percent of these readers buy this magazine to learn new boxing techniques and strategies. Any time you are unsure about the magazine’s readership (who they are, what they do, what they spend their money on, etc.), you can view online or download the magazine’s media kit. A media kit will always reveal readership statistics. This will help acquaint yourself with the
magazine’s readership, their interests, and demographics.
STEP # 6: HOW DOES YOUR ARTICLE FIT INTO THE MAGAZINE?
I have reviewed your submission guidelines and strongly feel that my article would fit best in the “Fight Night Legends from the Past” department. I also noticed in your Editorial Calendar that your magazine plans to cover “famous immigrant boxers” for the July issue. If it’s not too late, I believe my article would greatly complement your content for this issue.
*NOTE: This writer shows that he has educated himself about the magazine’s different sections and departments, and helps the editor visualize where this article would fit. Prior to pitching the editor, this writer perused the magazine’s editorial calendar (also available at its website) and discovered the magazine was planning on publishing similar topics. This writer knows he has the perfect opportunity to sell his article because he is fulfilling one of the magazine’s future editorial needs.
STEP # 7: CALL-TO-ACTION
I hope you decide to review “[insert title of article]”, and if so, I can mail or e-mail you my completed article. I can also provide several royalty-free black-and-white photos that highlight Mendoza’s spectacular boxing career.
*NOTE: This writer has added another benefit to accept his article: he has photos which will make his article look absolutely amazing.
STEP #8: EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN WRITING THIS ARTICLE
I am a full-time freelance writer and sports blogger. My work has appeared in magazines such as [insert names of publications, websites, etc.]. I am a regular contributor for __________________, a mixed martial arts website.
STEP 9: SHOW SAMPLES OR PUBLISHED CLIPS
I have put a selection of articles in an online portfolio at [include your website address or URLs to specific articles] to showcase my writing skills and knowledge of boxing. At my website, you can also read testimonials of satisfied editors who have published my material.
*NOTE: if you have any related experience that helps establish your credibility in writing your article, also include it. For example, if you have won any awards for your work, you may want to include this information.
STEP 10: CONCLUDING
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Your First Name, Last Name
