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mary rosenblum
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Hello, all!
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mary rosenblum
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Whew, my watch stopped while I
was out doing chores!
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mary rosenblum
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I thought it was taking a long
time to get to ten o'clock! :-)
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mary rosenblum
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This is the Tuesday Forum with
me, Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor, fiction and nonfiction writer. Today
we're analyzing magazines for market potential. If you're new here, remember
that you need to click on the 'Ask a Question' button or the 'word bubble'
next to the red question mark at the top of the screen, or use the ask a
question icon in order to ask a question. Your regular 'send' bar won't
reach me! You can also type /ask in front of your question to reach me.
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mary rosenblum
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I find that one of the things
that most LR students and ALL novice writers share...
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mary rosenblum
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is a real problem with
identifying markets.
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mary rosenblum
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As a pro who knows a lot of
editors personally at this stage...
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mary rosenblum
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I can tell you that the MAIN
reason a piece gets rejected is not quality...
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mary rosenblum
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but because it is not right
for this market.
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mary rosenblum
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And if editors see inappropriate
submission after inappropriate submission...
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mary rosenblum
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they may stop even looking
carefully at your work, assuming that this is just another one.
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mary rosenblum
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So simply sending your work
out to all markets that are even remotely possible is a bad way to break
in.
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mary rosenblum
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Conversely, if an editor sees
potentially useful pieces that he/she simply doesn't buy...
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mary rosenblum
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that editor will know that
sooner or later you'll be a regular contributor to the magazine and will
mentally keep an eye out...
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mary rosenblum
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for a place to put your first
sale.
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mary rosenblum
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So hitting the right market IS
a benefit to your career.
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mary rosenblum
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And this is the same for both
nonfiction queries and submitted fiction or personal narrative.
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mary rosenblum
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However the process of
identifying markets in fiction is much more difficult than in nonfiction
and quite different....
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mary rosenblum
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so we'll work with nonfiction
magazine markets today and I'll talk about fiction markets on Friday.
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t green
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is that why a lot of editors use
a form rejection stating "cannot use at this time." ? because
your ms doesn't "fit" the image of the magazine?
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mary rosenblum
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It's one of the reasons, t.
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mary rosenblum
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That is simply the most
neutral way of saying, no thanks.
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mary rosenblum
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Most markets have a second
slip that is more discouraging...
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mary rosenblum
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usually suggesting gently that
the submitting writer take some courses. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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And some markets have several
levels of rejection forms.
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mary rosenblum
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It can mean anything from
something similar in inventory to 'this isn't right for this magazine'.
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tkat_2
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I don't mind that my instructor
suggested a different market for lesson 8. What I chose was a good choice
but the other magazine was a better choice And I didn't mind sending in
another magazine form.
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mary rosenblum
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Often your instructors know
much more about markets than you know from reading the guidelines, tkat.
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mary rosenblum
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I frequently tell students to
try a different market when I know that an editor of another magazine...
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mary rosenblum
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likes this type of story or
has accepted articles like this in the past.
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t green
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Why are market guidelines so
vague anyway?
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mary rosenblum
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Because editing is so
subjective. It's nearly as creative as writing in its own way...when you're
talking about putting together an issue, that is.
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mary rosenblum
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The editor's taste and sense
of what works with the other pieces in the mag...both fiction and non...is
not something that most people can easily spell out in words of one
syllable.
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mary rosenblum
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So they state what they
generally do and do not want and they EXPECT YOU to READ THE MAGAZINE.
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mary rosenblum
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No kidding. THey are saying to
you essentially..."This is what I do NOT want, now you go read what I
do and send me stuff I DO want'.
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mary rosenblum
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Editors usually know when you
are going only by the guidelines and that does not impress them.
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mary rosenblum
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And they frequently know when
you have sent a acheck in for a couple of sample copies and they REMEMBER
your name..
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mary rosenblum
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because not many novice
writers do that. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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Pros do.
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mary rosenblum
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This is the Tuesday Forum with
me, Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor, fiction and nonfiction writer. Today
we're analyzing magazines for market potential. If you're new here,
remember that you need to click on the 'Ask a Question' button or the 'word
bubble' next to the red question mark at the top of the screen, or use the
ask a question icon in order to ask a question. Your regular 'send' bar
won't reach me! You can also type /ask in front of your question to reach
me.
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sailor
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If you have an article accepted
but not yet published by one mag and want to submit one on the same subject
but a different slant to another mag, is it a good or bad idea to use the
first one as a clip? If not, should I even mention the first one at all?
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mary rosenblum
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If you're sure that the slant
is quite different, sure, sailor, mention it.
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mary rosenblum
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When I was starting out I had
a lot of stuff in inventory and not a lot already published and that
inventory counted. They are SALES.
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mary rosenblum
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They tell the editor that this
editor found your work publishable.
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mary rosenblum
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BUT if the pieces are similar
and this is a competitor in the market, that may work against you.
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mary rosenblum
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Why should this editor be an
'also ran' , publishing something that competitor got first?
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tory
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So, just to be clear, Mary, a
"clip" can be sold, not necessarily published?
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mary rosenblum
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Yes. It's nice to have the
published text, but you can always send in the ms draft. Editors know who
the top markets are.
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mary rosenblum
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If you have sold to say,
'Better Homes and Gardens' and you query "Family Circle'...
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mary rosenblum
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the editors know each other
and are friends.
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mary rosenblum
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If FC editor thinks BH&G
editor buys good stuff, well, clearly your piece was good.
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mary rosenblum
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Just tell the editor what you
sold and how it will appear in the mag.
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mary rosenblum
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Is it a feature? A 'reader
tip'? A piece for a regular department?
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mary rosenblum
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Those mean different things to
the editor you're querying.
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mary rosenblum
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So let's look at how you
analyze a nonfiction market for suitability...how you read between the
lines.
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mary rosenblum
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I chose Woman's World because
it's a weekly...
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mary rosenblum
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they are buying from new
writers...
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mary rosenblum
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it's cheap to buy a couple of
copies...they're 1.49 at the checkout counter....and it's widely available.
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mary rosenblum
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So go buy a copy and practice.
:-)
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gail
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Honestly, Mary, I'd have to get
a "regular" job to afford all the magazines (several editions of
each market of interest) I would need to buy to do the research. I've tried
local libraries, but they often don't carry -- and are unwilling to do so
on my behalf -- the magazines I'm looking to read. (P.S. Most of these
markets I'm referring to are ones which accept fiction.)
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mary rosenblum
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Well, gail, I was a self
supporting writer with two kids living on about 14,000 per year and I
bought 'em.
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mary rosenblum
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Pardon my lack of sympathy,
but it's just a reality of the business...
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mary rosenblum
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like buying a business license
or paying for a delivery vehicle's gas.
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mary rosenblum
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You don't have to buy three
copies of every magazine out there...
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mary rosenblum
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but pick out the ones that
seem like the best markets for you and do read 'em.
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mary rosenblum
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Postage to inappropriate
markets will actually cost you more than those cover prices in the end.
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mary rosenblum
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And yes, it was financially
tough. I really had to cut things out of the buget to afford those
issues...
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mary rosenblum
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but you know what? I started
selling.
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mary rosenblum
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Alas, a lot of the fiction
magazines aren't available in libraries ...
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mary rosenblum
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but many of them publish
sample stories on their websites...
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mary rosenblum
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and partly that's to let
writers know what they publish. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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We'll talk about how to
identify editor likes and dislikes on Friday. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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But let's look at woman's
world and start figuring out what you can sell to this magazine.
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mary rosenblum
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It's very easy to read a
magazine's needs from the outside.
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mary rosenblum
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There are 'inside' issues,
too.
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mary rosenblum
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Family Circle and Good Housekeeping,
for example...
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mary rosenblum
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are top pro markets and rarely
if ever buy from new writers.
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mary rosenblum
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But hey, you can try. Just
don't be disappointed.
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mary rosenblum
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And of course their guidelines
dont SAY that. That's something you find out from pro gossip at writers
conferences...or from me. :-)
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mary rosenblum
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Or from online bulletin boards
and chat rooms for freelancers.
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janp
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Are the non fic mags more likely
to use a stable of their
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mary rosenblum
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Of their own writers, janp?
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janp
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preferred writers than the fic?
Therefore, less likely to
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mary rosenblum
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ah...buy from new.
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janp
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be receptive to the new writer?
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mary rosenblum
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Well, to be honest, FICTION
magazines are more likely to use familiar and established names, janp.
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mary rosenblum
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It's much easier for a new
writer to break into nonfic.
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mary rosenblum
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But they do assign articles to
regular contributors..
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mary rosenblum
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which is how you make a living
in freelance nonfiction once you get through the 'write for cheap and break
in' period.
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mary rosenblum
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They call YOU.
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mary rosenblum
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And they take your article
instead of the newbie's article on the same topic...
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mary rosenblum
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because you know the ropes and
they can trust you to deliver.
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mary rosenblum
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But in fiction, the author's
name sells the magazine...not true in nonfic.
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mary rosenblum
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So editors are LESS likely to
buy from unknowns.
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mary rosenblum
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That's why I tell students who
just want to see their names in print to go nonfic!
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gail
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Thanx, Mary. Yes, I have
researched on-line pubs. This brings me to another quandary. Many on-line
pubs which once offered free viewing of past editions, are now charging for
this. :-P I guess I'll just have to eat mac & cheese until I'm
published! lol
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mary rosenblum
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This is the Tuesday Forum with
me, Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor, fiction and nonfiction writer. Today
we're analyzing magazines for market potential. If you're new here,
remember that you need to click on the 'Ask a Question' button or the 'word
bubble' next to the red question mark at the top of the screen, or use the
ask a question icon in order to ask a question. Your regular 'send' bar
won't reach me! You can also type /ask in front of your question to reach
me.
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mary rosenblum
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Oh, Gail, believe me I know
those mac and cheese days SO well!
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mary rosenblum
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I have to say that I have two
kids who have grown up without thinking they'r entitled to a lot of
expensive 'stuff' and don't carry any debt, so I guess it had a good
outcome! LOL
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mary rosenblum
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But we WERE poor and the cost
of a couple of issues was difficult to come by.
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mary rosenblum
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But is your writing serious or
a hobby?
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mary rosenblum
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If you're serious, you need to
do it, and it's an investment in your future.
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t green
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When querying a magazine, do you
offer to do things like "decks" and pictures too?
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mary rosenblum
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I'm not sure what you mean by
decks, t... I only query with a very specific offer...THIS article or THIS
column.
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mary rosenblum
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The editor doesn't know you.
He/she is not going to give you a job without knowing you can do it.
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mary rosenblum
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Stick to a particular...very
particular..offer.
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mary rosenblum
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Let's go badk to woman's
world. Pick up an issue and look at the cover.
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mary rosenblum
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What do you find? On this
issue...this week's version..
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mary rosenblum
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we find 'love, weight, save
money, be successful, and articles about a pretty smile and good hair.
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mary rosenblum
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These are your main focuses of
the mag:
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mary rosenblum
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health, beauty, family life
issues.
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mary rosenblum
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It includes recipes, and child
rearing, housekeeping bits, too.
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mary rosenblum
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So what does that editor want
from YOU?
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mary rosenblum
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Well, let's identify the
market first. Who reads this? How do you know?
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t green
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I've been reading a lot about
mag markets... a deck is the part below the title in smaller font that
gives a brief piece of the article to entice the reader to read the
article... (at least that's my understanding of it)
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mary rosenblum
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Oh, I know what you mean. Nah,
that's going to be done in house and by someone who does it as a career, t.
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mary rosenblum
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Like a book jacket blurb.
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janp
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A young lady, maybe 25 or 30, A
clue to reader age
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mary rosenblum
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Yes, janp. With kids, probably
a stay at home or maybe part time mom with young kids...and probably stay
at home.
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mary rosenblum
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I only looked at one article,
but found no 'career tip' pieces...if I wanted to start writing for them,
I"d read quite a few of these, cheap as they are.
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mary rosenblum
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Now this mag doesn't have a
lot of ads, so you have to go by the articles to get a sense of readership.
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mary rosenblum
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But while older women with a
high middle income may read this...that's not your target audience...
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mary rosenblum
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so an article about an
expensive spa vacation is going to come back to you .
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tory
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what's the "be
successful" article about--sucessful at what?
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mary rosenblum
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It's actually a health article,
tory, on getting more and better sleep.
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mary rosenblum
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I found no 'career women'
pieces, no articles on dealing with children with disabilities, no articles
on single parenthood...
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mary rosenblum
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on a single issue (which is
NOT a good idea, folks), I'd say my audience is young stay at home moms in
their twenties...
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mary rosenblum
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from conservative, probably
Christian, backgrouns.
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dbamarsha
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Mary, thought I would mention
that Arabella Magazine (romance) is going out of business for any of those
who were thinking of submitting. I just visited their website the other
day.
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mary rosenblum
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Yes, they are closed, marsha.
I'll mention that in the upcoming website update.
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mary rosenblum
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I was afraid they were funded
by Visa...
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sailor
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For those of us new to figuring
out a mag's market, is Wooden Horse publishing worthwhile? They include
reader demographics in their mag descriptions.
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mary rosenblum
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Dunno, sailor. I don't read it
nor do I write for it. You'll have to read it and decide. :-)
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tory
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definitely stay at home moms
with young kids!
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mary rosenblum
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Yep.
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mary rosenblum
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So how do you know what they
want from you?
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mary rosenblum
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Look at the articles.
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mary rosenblum
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If an article has a by line...
a name...then it was written by a freelancer.
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mary rosenblum
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If there is no name, no by
line, it was written in house by staff.
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mary rosenblum
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And if it has both a name and
a home town, it's probably a reader submission rather than a freelancer and
I bet for no pay.
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jr souza jr
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A lot of advice to writers
starting out in the magazine writing business reccomend that you write on
'spec' This requires careful market research as well as a well written
query/offer. What's your opinion/experiance on writing on 'spec'
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mary rosenblum
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On speck, jr, just means you
write without getting the assurance of a sale first.
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mary rosenblum
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I can sell a novel first and
write it.
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mary rosenblum
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If you write the novel without
having sold it, that's 'on speck'.
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mary rosenblum
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Most nonfic magazines want a
query first.
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mary rosenblum
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You CAN send them the entire
piece if you have no clips...
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mary rosenblum
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UNLESS the guidelines state
'no unsolicited ms accepted'
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mary rosenblum
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That means they won't even
look at it, they ONLY will look at a query.
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mary rosenblum
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So you can't do on spec there,
jr.
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gail
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Do you find the advertising to
be one of the best indicators of the mag's demographic?
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mary rosenblum
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The ads will usually tell me
the income bracket, gail.
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mary rosenblum
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If I look at a cooking mag and
the ads are for 500 chefs knives and 3000
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mary rosenblum
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ranges and fridges...
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mary rosenblum
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my audience is well off middle
class and probably in their forties or fifties.
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mary rosenblum
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In WW, you can tell your
readership easily from the slant of the articles.
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mary rosenblum
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In some other magazines,
you'll need to look at the ads.
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silver571
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What about a magazine like
Oprah's O?
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mary rosenblum
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You'll have to analyze it
yourself, silver.
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mary rosenblum
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That's why I'm doing this. Not
to analyze WW FOR you...
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mary rosenblum
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but to show you how to pick up
a magazine and figure out what they need.
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speckledorf
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O takes NO freelance submissions
at all.
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mary rosenblum
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Well there you go, and that
will be in the writers guidelines.
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mary rosenblum
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You MUST read them, but you
need to go beyond them if you plan to submit.
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mary rosenblum
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Editors have LOTS of
submissions to choose from and many will be publishable.
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mary rosenblum
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They don't NEED your
submission badly enough to waste time on you if you don't follow their
rules...
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mary rosenblum
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so ALWAYS read and follow the
guidelines.
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t green
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so... maybe an article about fun
ways to get your kids to eat your veggies would be looked at more favorably
than taking a cooking class article?
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mary rosenblum
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For ww...that's exactly it, t.
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mary rosenblum
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There are recipes, but not one
'technique' or 'how to' article...
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mary rosenblum
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but there IS an article on
finger painting with shaving cream for your kids. ..
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mary rosenblum
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so you might be even better
off here...
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mary rosenblum
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with an article on helping your
kids make 'easter bunnies' with canned pears or something like that.
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mary rosenblum
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The slant is to doing things
at home with your kid..
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mary rosenblum
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the 'eat well' is an added
bonus...
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mary rosenblum
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and I will bet you money the
editor would at least consider it...
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mary rosenblum
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and remember you next time you
send in a query.
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tkat_2
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It pays to read the writer's
guidelines on the website. Leading Edge Magazine Of Science Fiction & Fantasy
changed their mailing address over the holiday. Also, they won't take
anything with explicit sex, violence or abusive language.
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mary rosenblum
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Yes, alas, the publishing
world changes in a heartbeat.
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mary rosenblum
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That's why I prefer to check
the online market lists.
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mary rosenblum
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Editors HATE totally
inappropriate queries and subs.
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mary rosenblum
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By the way...
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mary rosenblum
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it is common not to answer
queries that are totally inappropriate or very poorly written....
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mary rosenblum
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fyi.
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gail
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Will Long Ridge be offering
their market listing on-line anytime in the future?
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mary rosenblum
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I don't know. I may pitch it
to them...
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mary rosenblum
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It would be worthwhile.
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mary rosenblum
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This is the Tuesday Forum with
me, Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor, fiction and nonfiction writer. Today
we're analyzing magazines for market potential. If you're new here,
remember that you need to click on the 'Ask a Question' button or the 'word
bubble' next to the red question mark at the top of the screen, or use the
ask a question icon in order to ask a question. Your regular 'send' bar
won't reach me! You can also type /ask in front of your question to reach
me.
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mary rosenblum
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Okay...back to WW.
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mary rosenblum
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What should you send in?
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mary rosenblum
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They have celebrity articles
which theyclearly ask for...
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mary rosenblum
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a piece by Weight WAtchers
that they clearly asked for...
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mary rosenblum
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And they DO have pieces by
male writers, folks.
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mary rosenblum
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You don't have to use a pen
name.
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mary rosenblum
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They have a piece on a woman
who foiled a robbery attempt written by a man...
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mary rosenblum
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it's an interview piece.
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mary rosenblum
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Think drama...
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mary rosenblum
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If you read these articles,
the style is superficial...they don't cover the articles in depth...
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mary rosenblum
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the pace is brisk, very
personal, speaking directly to the reader...
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mary rosenblum
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and tends to focus on
drama...in other words...
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mary rosenblum
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less content than
entertainment value.
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mary rosenblum
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This is designed to be a fun,
fast read.
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mary rosenblum
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So an indepth and serious
article about the difficulties of children with disabalitities in public
school will earn what, class? :-)
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janp
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Think inspirational and upbeat
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mary rosenblum
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Yep, that too...part of that
'high entertainment value' style.
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mary rosenblum
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There is not ONE downbeat
article in this.
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tory
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Mary, you said you thought the
audience might be conservative, probably Christian. can yo tell us more
about how you drew that conclusion?
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mary rosenblum
|
That's a snap judgement as I
cautioned, tory, and I've only looked at a single issue...I'd read at least
five of this mag before I felt comfortable.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
BUt..
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
the reason I say that is what
is NOT here...
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|
mary rosenblum
|
nothing controversial.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Nothing that even hints at
alternative gender relationships...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
nothing about careers or
single parents in this issue...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
and in this country, the
majority of stay at home moms...gross generalization alert here...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
tend to be conservative
Christians.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Not ALL by any means, but you
need to look at generalizations in marketing.
|
|
t green
|
uh... downbeat articles earn a
big fat REJECTION SLIP???
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Yes...from what I see in this
issue.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They want triumphing over
odds...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
they have a 'tragedy' piece on
a kid born with a tumor who then had to undergo surgery...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
but now, at two, he's fine.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Inspirational and upbeat...the
family wins in the end...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
does it focus on the 400,000
worth of debt they're dealing with? Their struggles to deal with his
problems? Nope.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Those are glossed over. We go
quickly from crisis to success...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
with an upbeat tone.
|
|
christopher dale
|
- Sorry - came in late - WW?
Women's World???? Would they look at a piece about "How we met"
and got married? Or too mushy for them??? :-)
|
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mary rosenblum
|
Yes, Chris, that's my
'analysis of the day'.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And actually that is the
fiction they want.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I have a student who has sold
to them and reads it, and those 'met my one and only' seem to be the
romance theme they publish most often.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And of course, now they are
publishing a solve it yourself mystery.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And I haven't looked at their
guidelines, but in this issue, there is no by line on that mystery.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
That means one of two
things...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
they don't have any and it was
written in house so they're VERY hungry...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
OR...they are buying all
rights.
|
|
gail
|
The adage, "Write what you
know," is like a mantra constantly running through my mind. Now, I
wonder, can a grandmother expect to have child-rearing advice articles
published, or is that considererd by editors to be more the domain of the
mother?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Well, you don't write in that
domaine, gail.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Your slant is the
grandparent/child relationship.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
You ARE an expert there, and
yes, you're more likely to sell this type of advice piece than one about
parenting in general...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
because if you start talking
about parenting in general, you'll need expert credentials...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
some kind of child
development/educational title.
|
|
jr souza jr
|
Just looking at a market update
for this mag they do fiction also and want mystery and romance fiction in
the 1000 word range they are Not interested in science fiction, fantasy,
historical romance, or foreign locales. No explicit sex, graphic language,
or seamy settings. Does the issue you are looking at show this?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
jr, the mysteries now have to
fit their 'solve it yourself' format.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
This is the Tuesday Forum with
me, Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor, fiction and nonfiction writer. Today
we're analyzing magazines for market potential. If you're new here,
remember that you need to click on the 'Ask a Question' button or the 'word
bubble' next to the red question mark at the top of the screen, or use the
ask a question icon in order to ask a question. Your regular 'send' bar
won't reach me! You can also type /ask in front of your question to reach
me.
|
|
joed
|
"they are buying all
rights" how did you reach that conclusion
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I don't know that they are,
joed...but the lack of byline...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
means it's either written in
house or work for hire.
|
|
joanc
|
Mary, if you get a rejection
slip that says "Unfortunately, it does not suit our editorial line
up." does this basically mean you missed the mark or that it doesn't
fit their needs at that time?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
That means very specifically
that you missed the mark, janp.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
AND it means that you're good
enough as a writer that they wanted you to know that, so that you'll try
with something that DOES>
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Be flattered.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
-)
|
|
janp
|
I think they are hungry for the
short mystery. They used to
|
|
janp
|
have one each issue; writen by
MsX, Mr Y or Johhny Q
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I suspect they are VERY hungry
for stuff that works as their 'solve it yourself' format. I think it was
speck? who got one back with that request.
|
|
jr souza jr
|
according to market update they
are 95% freelance written and buy 1st NA seerial rights for 6 months
|
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mary rosenblum
|
Let me explain that 95%
freelance written, folks.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
A lot of students misunderstand
what it means... and they may buy FNA for most things...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
and tell you that they will
buy something else in a different format.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Nearly ALL mags are mostly
freelance written...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
they don't have enough staff
to WRITE the magazine. Editing, ads, layout, design, and marketing are
enough of a job.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
BUT that does NOT mean 95% new
writers!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And that is why some magazines
in the Best of, for example, are listed as good places for new writers.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They tend to buy more from
unpublished newbies.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Better Homes, National
Geographic, Family Circle...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
they're all written by mostly
freelancers.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Will they buy from you?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Very unlikely. Definintely
not, National Geo.
|
|
speckledorf
|
Sorry...not me.. Was CC...but I
don't think she redid hers to fit the market.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Oh, that's right...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And that's it. The story will
have to fit this rigid new format...if you want to publish...go write for
it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I bet they're buying.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Another piece in the WW
issue...a common sort here....
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
is a series of tips on how to
look slimmer in dress. No by line. House written. Their how-to photo essays
do seem to be a house feature, so don't bother to query on that.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They have an article on exercise
tips from life coaches and that IS written by someone...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
as are a couple of other
interview type pieces in here.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
So if you can interview
someone who will appeal ...remember!....to your target audience...you may
sell.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Who's your target audience?
Young, stay at home, middle income moms, probably Christian and
conservative...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
whose tips or interview will
they want to read? Think about that, and whom you know.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They have a personal narrative
that's an 'as told to' piece.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
About some strangers who saved
a mother and child in an accident.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
So think 'as told to' if you
know anyone who was involved in a dramatic event.
|
|
gail
|
Off-topic: You once held a forum
re: by-lines. Do you recall when that was and if it's still available on
the web-site? If not, would you consider doing another -- unfortunately for
me, I missed the first one.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
by lines, Gail? It would have
been some other topic...what do you mean by that?
|
|
gail
|
Would you say that the more
frequently a mag is published equates to a greater need for freelance
articles?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Absolutely! This thing comes
out weekly! That's a HUGE job and they need a very large inventory to keep
this going.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
THis is why I often send
students this way.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They ARE hungry.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
A mag with a few issues a year
will probably have a solid stable of reliable pros who write regularly for
them.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They'll be harder to break
into...and clips and expertise will tend to matter more.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
A new magazine that can't pay
well will be avoided by the big pros...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
they're hungry and they ARE
clips.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
A weekly needs way more than a
bi-monthly.
|
|
janp
|
And they pub weekly,more
chances. but they are selective
|
|
janp
|
your article/story has to fit
their approach
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
That is ALWAYS true no matter
how often they publish.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I can't stress this enough.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Editors have an agenda.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They want specific things in
their magazines.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They're not just holding a
contest, saying, 'OK, whoevers' best this week, we'll publish'.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
they want PARTICULAR types of
articles and you can be the best writer on the planet...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
but if you send that editor a
stunningly beautiful piece that does not fit it WILL BE REJECTED
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
When was the last time you saw
that gorgeous, beautifully written piece about the Bush Tribesmen in the
Kalahari in the middle of Family Circle?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
There is a REASON it's not
there, and not just because nobody sent in a beautiful piece on the
Kalihari!
|
|
sailor
|
After you buy your sample mag
issues, how long are they good for? Do you buy at least one a year to see
if they've changed?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If you start selling to them,
you should get some inkling of changes, sailor.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Either the editor will quit
(and then you'll have to read issues to see what the new slant is), or
you'll get told to do things differently.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If you aren't selling, then
check back in, yes.
|
|
gail
|
Re: By-lines. I asked what to
include in a by-line, and whether a variety of them were needed for various
markets. You replied that it would be good to discuss it and you held
either a forum or casual chat session on the topic. I just can't remember
WHEN that was. :-/
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I think you mean bio, gail? A
'by line' is the By Your Name.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Or do you mean clips?
|
|
joanc
|
Mary, one of the magazines in
BMM says: one time rights, pays on acceptance but they want you to send the
ms plus per story, what's up with that?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It's a reading fee. Is this a
fiction mag? And which one, btw?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Another good reason to read
the mag...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
at the bottom of a reader
personal narrative...the one where I mentioned they included the
location...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
so it was clearly a reader
send-in and not a pro submisison...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
in the fine print, it says
'have a personal story or original reader tip to share? Send it to...and
they give the snail and email contact info...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
and says they'll pay their
usual rate: 250 for feature length and 50 for tips.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
That's a specific call that
means they need lots of these.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And it's a GOOD way to break
in.
|
|
gail
|
Yes, Mary, I did mean bio.
However, would you explain the difference for me -- I thought they were the
same thing.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I'm pretty sure I did a forum
on bios just recently. Check the transcripts...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I talked about what editors
want to see in that bio...and I probably touched on which clips to send...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
those that are either large
circulation magazines...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
or are similar markets.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
This is the Tuesday Forum with
me, Mary Rosenblum, LR Web Editor, fiction and nonfiction writer. Today
we're analyzing magazines for market potential. If you're new here,
remember that you need to click on the 'Ask a Question' button or the 'word
bubble' next to the red question mark at the top of the screen, or use the
ask a question icon in order to ask a question. Your regular 'send' bar
won't reach me! You can also type /ask in front of your question to reach
me.
|
|
joanc
|
It is Sensations Magazine, they
take mysteries and SF, they also seek work by unpublished writers
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Hmmm...Me, I get paid. I don't
pay anyone to publish my work, and if I were you, I'd cultivate the same
standard.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It is NOT a well regarded pro
mag in the SF/fantasy universe I can tell you. If your magazine...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
is funded by the slush pile,
why should you worry about the quality of what you publish?
|
|
tory
|
Mary re: Joan's question, does
that mean that mag wants to read any and every article offered to it? They
wouldn't need to seel advertising!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
yep.
|
|
joanc
|
I agree Mary, I came across it
when I was researching the markets for Assign. 5
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I'll mention that to LR.
|
|
jr souza jr
|
Mary your bio/resume forum was
held on 9/8/2004 and is in the transcripts. I got dumped looking for it so
you may have already answered this
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
oooh, thanks, jr!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Johnny... I saw your question,
even though you couldn't send it to me.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
He asked how to polish up a
rejected query for the next market.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Actually, you will never...one
of those RARE nevers!...use the same query for the next market.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
That magazine is not identical
to this magazine.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
You will change the slant and
style of your query to suit THIS magazine.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
So it's not a matter of
stuffing it into a new envelope.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They might be very similar and
your only real change may be voice.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Say you start with WW and
pitch an piece about making the first day of school fun for a
kindergartner.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
In keeping with that
upbeat/inspiration/entertainment slant to stay at homes...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
you might suggest special
breakfast, making a scrapbook page to celebrate..,.something fun, not very
serious, and light.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It doesn't sell.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
So you pitch the idea to
Parents Mag...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
and of course it's much more
serious and in depth this time...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
and you touch on talking about
fears, how to leave your child if he/she is upset...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
or something like that.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Totally different
slants...same topic.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Your query is not something to
polish...it's something you write every single time fresh to the magazine
you are about to query.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It should never be exactly the
same twice unless the magazines are very very similar.
|
|
t green
|
so when you send a query in, do
you already have the article written? and do you have to re-write it every
time you query?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
No, don't write the article
first! Why waste your time if you don't know it'll sell.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Have your facts, your
research, your interview done.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If you get a yes, THEN write
it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
That's how pros do it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If a perfect article wakes you
up, go ahead and write it and then query markets...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
but if that article doesn't
force you to write it, wait until you get a yes to your query.
|
|
janp
|
One topic I haven't seen in WW
is pets...Tempted to try one?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Well, me, I figure if I don't
see it, they don't want it, janp.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
don't forget...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
editors are not dependent on
the query slush.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If they want something,
they'll call a regular contributor and ask for it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If I were tempted to try one,
I'd slant it heavily to the child care thing...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
your child's first pet...a
primer on buying a simple gold fish set up or something...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
a 'fun with kids' angle.
|
|
tory
|
(Sorry if this is a repeat, I
got tossed out1) Re: queries: If/when you query re: a novel, those queries
own't have to be so different, right?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Oh, no, we're merely talking
nonfiction magazines here.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
A novel query is an entirely
different critter. :-)
|
|
christopher dale
|
- Wh has WW's weeb site? The
only one my migraine ridden brain can find is based out of the UK... :-(
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Chris, I've found it online
but didn't bookmark it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
You can try the one from the
inside cover: www.kable.com/Woman'sWorld That may not be their main
website, but try it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Thanks for coming, all.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It's hard to figure out
markets when you're first starting out.
|
|
janp
|
Thanks for another Oregon hour.
I'm going to the dogs--true
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Have fun, jan!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Try the pet article with WW.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It's much tougher to figure
out fiction mags...a lot of issues complicate things...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
but we'll take a look at how
to evaluate different markets.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Fiction guidelines ALL read
alike!
|
|
t green
|
i read somewhere that magazines
sell an image more than anything... any truth to that?
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
It's a
style/voice...yes...that is what the mag sells.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Your piece must fit it.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They won't change it for you.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Same as with a fiction mag.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
People read Analog or Glimmer
Train...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
because they like that THAT
editor chooses.
|
|
joanc
|
Mary WW website.
www.magazinesofamerica.com
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Oh, thanks, Joan!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
They actually have a bunch of
email addresses and websites!
|
|
christopher dale
|
That url got me to their FAQ and
from there it had an address to mail unsolicted articles to. Thanks...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Good, glad that one works,
too, Chirs.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Well, drop in tomorrow for our
casual chat!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
And keep an eye out for the
update this week...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
I'll be at a huge four day dog
show this weekend...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
and may have to change the
schedule for Friday's forum...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
depending on when my obedience
classes are scheduled.
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
If you're not signed up for
the updates, you can do so on the website and get...
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
notification of all upcoming
forums and interviews as well as new articles and the like. And contests.
:-)
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
updates
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
See you tomorrow!
|
|
mary rosenblum
|
Have a great day!
|