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3 tips for writing for local magazinesEditor's Notes #410 February 14, 2024

Hello, I view the role of the magazine as providing the deeper reporting and the thoughtful analysis to help you make sense of why that news is important. —Chris Hughes In this issue: 1. 3 tips for writing for local magazines 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1. 3 tips for writing for local magazines In general, publishers pay more attention to writers with a proven track record. One way to get a proven track record in publishing is to appear in print in a magazine that is edited. That is much easier than convincing a publisher to read a sample for an unproven writer. Here are three important tips to get you into print in a magazine. Go local. The smaller the publication, the more likely you are to be considered because the better-known writers are writing for the bigger audiences. Also, the more local the magazine is, the more likely you are to know the topics the audience is interested in and to have access to local authorities for interviews. You may also have casual access to the editor through community events. Never ignore the who-you-know advantage. It won’t get a bad piece of writing into print, but it may give you a chance to show your best work. Know the magazine. When you pitch an idea, you get a better hearing if you show that you know and appreciate the magazine. Of course you have to stay within the topic the magazine addresses. No matter how well it is written, an article on fishing will not be taken by a magazine on urban architecture. But going beyond simply knowing the topic can pique interest in the editor. If you haven’t already read multiple issues, do so. Libraries are likely to have back issues. Does an article or topic jump out at you? If so, what slant could you bring to it? If no topic stands out, what do you think the editor could be missing? Pitch to fill what looks to you like a hole in coverage. Persist. If idea number one is turned down, follow up with idea number two. The aim is not to be a pest, but to show that you take your writing seriously. Being turned down for one pitch does not mean the editor never wants to publish your writing. Be thoughtful, courteous, and professional. You are building a long-term relationship. Payment for an article in a local magazine is great. But even if you are not paid, the fact that you have been published shows book publishers that you can work successfully with an editor. That alone will boost the odds that your book submission will get some consideration. =========== 2. Tickled my funny bone Local theater marquee: Star Wars to Jan. 30. Little Women coming Jan. 31. =========== 3. Interesting Web site This link takes you to good information on how to pitch to a media outlet. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/pitching-to-the-media =========== 4. Writing prompt Read the letters to the editor in a local newspaper. Choose one on a topic that interests you and write a response to it. Consider submitting it to the newspaper. This can often be a first step in being locally published. =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html

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