QUERY TYPE: E-mail query
PITCHED TO: Editor
SOLD TO: Inflight magazine
AUDIENCE: General public/travelers
TYPE OF PITCH: Full article, 1,500+ words
COMPENSATION OF SOLD ARTICLE: $1,200 (US)
The following italicized text is a full query letter sample, followed by a step-by-step explanation of the email’s various parts.
1. Inflight Magazine Query Letter
–Original Message–
From: Your Full Name (with e-mail address)
Subject: To [Editor’s Full Name], [Job title] : Re: Submission Query
Date: Today’s date
To: [Editor’s e-mail address]
Hello Nancy,
Hungry locavores across the country are realizing that when it comes to seeking out the freshest, tastiest food available, it’s time to root, root, root for the home team.
The farm-to-table trend currently sweeping the culinary world is nothing new around the Midwest. Restaurant proprietors devoted to this down-home dining approach are proud to serve up local foodstuffs in innovative and mouthwatering ways. Since the Midwest is full of farmland, its no wonder that a number of farm-to-table restaurants here are succeeding with menus that feature items like locally sourced grass-fed beef, artisan cheeses and just-picked produce.
Would a feature on farm-to-table dining in the Midwest be a good fit for [ Name of magazine ]? I envision this article would discuss the growing popularity of the farm-to-table dining concept and then detail half a dozen or so Midwestern restaurants where diners can experience it for themselves within Airtran destinations (The Loft at Trader’s Point Creamery and R Bistro in Indianapolis, North Pond and Vie in Chicago, and Roots in Milwaukee are all possibilities).
I am an Indianapolis-based freelance writer and editor; within the past few years, my work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, AAA Home and Away, The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Monthly, the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Guide, the Sonoma Valley Tribune and Tango Diva.com.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this story idea. In the meantime, I’d be glad to fax or mail clips if you’d like to see samples of my work.
I look forward to hearing your feedback. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Your First Name, Last Name
2. Query Letter Sample: Inflight Magazine – 8 Steps to a Perfect Query Letter
Follow these steps and comments to write your query letter.
STEP 1: ADDRESS YOUR QUERY LETTER
From: Your Full Name (with e-mail address)
Subject: To [Editor’s Full Name], [Job title] : Re: Submission Query
Date: Today’s date. *NOTE:If you are e-mailing this query, then you do not need to include a date since your e-mail account will automatically insert a time and date
To: [Editor’s e-mail address] *NOTE: Always get the e-mail address of the editor or the person in charge of accepting submissions, such as [email protected]. Never e-mail a query letter to a general e-mail address such as “[email protected].” Always include the Job Title, such as Editor, Managing Editor, Editorial Assistant, etc
STEP 2: START YOUR QUERY LETTER BY ADDRESSING THE EDITOR
Hello Nancy, *NOTE:In many instances, you will address the editor with a more formal salutation, such as “Hello [Editor’s First Name, Last Name] or “Dear [Editor’s First Name, Last Name].” This writer used a more friendly salutation because he has already worked with this editor.
STEP 3: DEVELOP A STRONG LEAD-IN. GRAB THE EDITOR’S ATTENTION WITH A NARRATIVE OF YOUR ARTICLE
Hungry locavores across the country are realizing that when it comes to seeking out the freshest, tastiest food available, it’s time to root, root, root for the home team. *NOTE: This writer is pitching an article on a popular subject that the magazine publishes: food.
STEP 4: SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH
The farm-to-table trend currently sweeping the culinary world is nothing new around the Midwest. Restaurant proprietors devoted to this down-home dining approach are proud to serve up local foodstuffs in innovative and mouthwatering ways. Since the Midwest is full of farmland, its no wonder that a number of farm-to-table restaurants here are succeeding with menus that feature items like locally sourced grass-fed beef, artisan cheeses and just-picked produce. *NOTE: This writer reveals that she is covering a trend in the culinary world. Her article is covering restaurants in the Midwest, a common travel route flown by this airline. Notice the writer’s style of writing: she is using descriptive words that create images in the mind of the editor. The writer also demonstrates her knowledge of the subject.
STEP 5: UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
Would a feature on farm-to-table dining in the Midwest be a good fit for [ Name of magazine ]? I envision this article would discuss the growing popularity of the farm-to-table dining concept and then detail half a dozen or so Midwestern restaurants where diners can experience it for themselves within Airtran destinations (The Loft at Trader’s Point Creamery and R Bistro in Indianapolis, North Pond and Vie in Chicago, and Roots in Milwaukee are all possibilities). *NOTE: This writer explains in detail what her article will cover and what makes it so interesting to readers of the magazine. She has also included specific names of restaurants that she will cover, specific to the airline’s destinations.
STEP 6: EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN WRITING THIS ARTICLE
I am an Indianapolis-based freelance writer and editor; within the past few years, my work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, AAA Home and Away, The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Monthly, the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association Guide, the Sonoma Valley Tribune and Tango Diva.com. *NOTE:The writer reveals her experience and tailors her bio. with related article topics which she has had published in similar fields.
STEP 7: SHOW SAMPLES OR PUBLISHED CLIPS
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this story idea. In the meantime, I’d be glad to fax or mail clips if you’d like to see samples of my work. *NOTE: if similar magazines have published your articles, you can also provide the exact URL to articles that pertain to parenting.
STEP 8: CONCLUDING
I look forward to hearing your feedback. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Your First Name, Last Name
