Whether you write short stories, poems or feature articles, you probably have a few ideas that never quite made it into print (or pixels, if you write for the web). Below are some ideas on dusting them off and breathing new life into old ideas.
Change the point of view. Say you pitched an article on vegetarian teens, but none of the teen magazines you could find were interested. Try querying parenting magazines on a similar topic and include tips for parents whose kids want to try vegetarianism. This strategy could also apply to writing fiction: if your story isn’t working, then try changing from the first to the third person (or vice versa).
Change the gender. Maybe your original idea was an article about long-distance relationships for a women’s magazine. Of course, men’s magazines also cover dating and relationships (albeit with a different tone) so that gives you a slew of other potential markets. You could even query them simultaneously with a slightly different slant since they would be non-competing markets.
Change the setting. So your profile about that new solar-powered restaurant (I’m making this up, not sure if that’s even possible yet) didn’t fly with your local newspaper. Consider pitching a longer feature to a national magazine about how small businesses across the country are using solar power. Or maybe target a restaurant trade magazine. Or an environmental magazine.
Your turn! How have you tweaked a query to land a sale? Any other strategies you would add?
Flickr photo courtesy of Here’s Kate
Awesome post! In December, everyone is trying to find ways to get ready for the new year and make it better then the last, and I think these are awesome ideas for writers can rejuvenate their craft. Thanks for the great advice!
(my creative writing blog)
These are such good ideas and I want to think more about how to apply them. I find that re-slants work well–when an idea is accepted in one market I can sometimes re-shape it and get it into another market. (For instance, I did a profile for More of a woman who opened a pay-by-donation business and then I wrote a quirky food article for the Washington Post that included her "restaurant"). I haven't thought much about taking a not-sold idea (I have hundreds) and re-shaping it. That's an excellent suggestion that I'll have to try. And soon, since I'm behind on querying and need to get back to it.
Thanks for the great information. As a new swimmer in this ocean, I’m curious. How about a post showing your desk? I’d love to see what reference books live there.
@Jennifer: I remember reading your piece in More magazine, and it was fabulous! What an interesting story!
@JAWhite: I could post a photo of my desk, but I'd have to clean it first.
In all seriousness, though, I don't have that many reference books on my desk, because I know I can look up much of the information I need. On my shelves, I have an the AP Style Book, several books on the business and craft of writing, and the Writer's Block, which is a cute little book of writing prompts.