Try Writing for the Trades
Posted: August 8, 2010 Filed under: Articles, Getting Published, Writing for Magazines Leave a comment »Looking for a market that’ s eager to buy what you write? Try writing for the trades.
Hardware Age, Grain Magazine and Sporting Goods Business might not have the glamour of prestigious publications like Harper’s or Travel and Leisure and they don’t pay the same kind of big bucks. But trade journal checks do arrive on time, usually, and most of the publications are open to writers — two compelling reasons for freelancers to take a look.
Trade and professional journals are publications that focus on a particular occupation of industry and help readers do their jobs better. Their editors are always eager to find new writers who can give their readers industry information on a continuing basis.
You can find a wide variety of trade publications at your local library or bookstore, or you can do computer searches for trade journals. Either way, you’ll find lots of potential markets for freelance work.
Pick out a few publications in which you have some knowledge or choose some that catch your interest. Don’t contact any of them, however, until you study the magazines thoroughly either at the library, book stores or the internet to determine their market listings. Read all their advertisements and columns, opinions, letters to the editors — read every bit of copy in each publication. Determine how they use photos. Check out their guidelines to see what kind of articles the editors want. Some editors recommend that you analyze at least six months of back issues before querying about a proposed article.
Payment varies greatly among trade and professional journals. You won’t get rich writing for them, but mixing in trade journal writing with a steady flow of news releases, brochures and other nuts-and-bolts copy can give you a little change in your writing routine, while adding a considerable amount to your annual income. Trade journal bylines can also help you break into other magazines.
Just be sure you give trade journal editors the same professional courtesies expected in any market: a query letter that’s right on target for that publication. a SASE included if you send the query to the publication by U.S. mail (although many editors today look for email queries), no missed deadlines, and copy that’s clean and error free.
Editors will love you for making their jobs easier. And you’ll love the bylines and the checks you get.
Please leave a comment.
TAGS:
brochures,
writing,
copywriting,
publishing,
editing,
news releases
freelancer
Is There A Good Old Days Byline in Your Future?
Posted: May 5, 2010 Filed under: Articles, Getting Published, Markets, Writing for Magazines 3 Comments »While going through some old files today, I came across a magazine with a November 1997 publication date. Now I’m sure readers of this blog are not surprised that I keep magazines for 13 years. Being the pack rat that I am, I sometimes keep them for many more than 13 years. I do this because I find great value in magazines, even very old ones. Sometimes in these oldsters I find ideas I can use for brand-new articles; sometimes they may lead to blog posts that could help others find new markets. I think this one could help someone who is new to freelance writing and eager for that first byline in a magazine.
The publication I found today is Good Old Days Magazine. I immediately checked to see if it is still being published. It is — and amazingly still lists the same editor, Ken Tate, as in 1997. And it has a wonderful array of articles focusing on the past. As it did in 1997, it still takes a nostalgic look at the Good Old Days, telling the real stories of people who lived or grew up around 1935-1960.
The featured article in the current June issue is a delightful one about dowsing — the practice of using a Y- or L-shaped twig called a dowsing rod to search for underground water. Among other articles in the issue was one about a Stag Dance, the place where people went to enjoy an evening of socializing; one on childhood pets in the early 1940s; another about Feed Sack Dresses and the Big City (during the depression, women made garments from the sacks in which chicken feeds and other feeds were sold); and Faith of Our Fathers, about the Great Depression at its peak.
I downloaded the Contributor’s Guidelines and there I learned that most of those who contribute articles for the magazine are not professional writers. In fact, the guidelines state: “We prefer the author’s individual voice, warmth, humor and honesty over technical ability. Successful stories tend to stick with one subject (i.e.: how my brother and I got caught skipping school one day and faced the consequences…my most embarrassing moment, etc.)”. That sounds to me like a great opportunity for a talented beginner to earn a byline and a check.
The guidelines provide examples of the kind of stories the magazine publishes, plus specific details about their requirements. I’ve seen the publication on the newsstand at Barnes & Noble and it may be available at other newsstands. You may find copies at your local library. The publishers will send you a sample copy for $2.00 and a self-addressed stamped manila envelope mailed to: Good Old Days Sample Copy, 306 E. Parr Rd., Berne, IN 46711. You can read some of the articles and get more details just by visiting their website.
So how about it? Is there a Good Old Days byline in your future?
Please leave a comment.
TAGS:
byline,
articles,
magazines,
contributor’s guidelines,
publication,
editors,
Good Old Days Magazine.
They Held The First-Ever National Magazine Day and I Missed It
Posted: March 2, 2010 Filed under: Articles, Writers on Writing, Writing for Magazines 2 Comments »As a magazine junkie, I am distressed to find out that they held the first ever national magazine day last week and I missed it. That event took place on February 27 but I didn’t know about it until yesterday, when I dropped by Mr.Magazine’s blog and found “’Attack the Stack’ Ushers the First National Magazine Day.”
I always learn so much when I go to the site of Mr. Magazine (Samir Husni). According to him, the organizer of the First National Magazine Day is Kevin Smokler, a San Francisco writer who hopes it will become an annual holiday event. Mr. Magazine includes this quote from Smokler’s website:
On Saturday, February 27th, ordinary folk across America (like you, like me) will spend the day ‘attacking the stack’ or reading their way through the unread magazines they’ve accumulated. If you’re a big goody-goody and read your magazines straight through the moment they arrive, you may spend the day at your local library/bookstore/university exploring new periodicals, discussing your favorite magazines with friends, tweeting your favorite articles. As you wish.”
Considering the number of unfinished magazines on my office shelves (and in my living room, bedroom, etc.) the event would have suited me just fine. According to another bit from Smokler’s website, it is “a celebration of magazines and attacking the stack of unread titles piling up next to your bathroom sink.” And no matter where we live, he wants us to
invite friends over and rummage through each other’s stacks (of magazines). Spend the day reading at your local coffee shop or library. Mulch your magazines and construct a giant papier-mache wildebeest. It’s up to you. The idea is to spend the day having fun and forming community around a shared love of magazines.”
I’ve already marked the day on my 2011 calendar so I won’t miss the event next year. Although I’m nowhere near San Francisco, I figure I can be there in spirit to celebrate the day. Mr. Magazine sent congratulations to all magazine lovers on finally having a day they can call their own. I add my own congratulations.
You can read more about the “1st Ever National Magazine Day at The Booksmith.”
at Mr. Magazine’s blog on his website, and on of Kevin Smokler’s website.)
There’s also an interesting interview with Smokler here.
Please leave a comment.
TAGS:
writing,
magazines,
periodicals,
writers,
reading.
