I just wanted share the following here are some tips for pitching to magazines
Question: What's Wrong With My Pitch?
I’ve read and re-read your query letter recommendations and articles on query letters, followed your advice to a ‘T’, and still cannot break into a magazine. What else could I possibly be doing wrong? I’m about to give up!
Answer:
There are a couple of questions that I run through when I get letters like this. I feel the most important issue is targeting the right magazine, followed by these other three hints. Don’t give up - get into one magazine, and the rest will open their doors for you.
Don’t Even Think Of Pitching the Big Names
You wouldn’t believe how many emails I get that start with “I had the perfect idea for Glamour/Newsweek/The Atlantic Monthly. . .” Except for a very fortunate few, you’ll never break in on these names without going local, regional, state and/or niche first.
You Were Unprofessional
I know that the perfect idea is exciting. But, if you call the editor, harass the secretary, or follow up too quickly, you’ll be marked as a rookie. Don’t do it.
Your Pitch Was Generic
You’re busy, you’re juggling, and you have 15 pitches to get to today. Don’t do it. If you send off a pitch with minimal tailoring, you’re asking for rejection. I know it’s a busy life, but you don’t want to get on the blackball list, do you? You must cover the specifics of your proposed article, no excuses, no exceptions.
You Sent Three Pitches . . . In One Email
I’ve seen some writers get away with two. But I never have. Honestly, given how busy editors are, I wouldn’t tempt the circular file. Send one pitch per email, and allow them to deal with that before you move on to your next burning idea.
Keep working those ideas. Instead of giving up, be realistic, adjust your expectations. The first print article you have in your hands will make up for all the rejection!
More Freelance Writing Q&A
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Abraham's Well by Sharon Ewell Foster
I have to say that of all my favorite fiction writers, Sharon Ewell Foster is the one I most would like to pattern myself after. Her gift for turning historical facts into captivating, relatable stories absolutely endears her to me. In other words, as a writer...I want to be like Sharon when I grow up. Please enjoy this excerpt and the accolades bestowed upon Abraham's Well.
Abraham's well is truthful, historic and yes, disturbing. But even in it's brutal truths, Abraham's well is entertaining, hard to put down and certainly hard to forget. Venus
Visit Sharon's website to learn more about her. By the way, I'm sure you're going to want to purchase you own copy of Abraham's book, simply go to my bookshelf widget and click on the book cover and you can purchase it via Amazon.com in the top right hand corner. Enjoy!
The time is 1838.
Armentia pointed to a well on the land their Cherokee master owns. "It seems hard to believe now, son, but someday we'll have our own land. Land with a well just like this one…."
Inspired by true events, authentic slave narratives, and other historical accounts, Abraham's Well is the profoundly moving story of the Black Cherokee--African Americans, both slave and free--who, along with native people, walked the Trail of Tears. It is the story of their forced removal from the Southeast to Indian Territory--modern day Oklahoma--and of the courage and faith of one woman as she struggles to overcome her desperate circumstances.
And it is the story of an author who, in researching and writing, found her own way home.
Endorsements for Abraham's Well
...a special book that tells the complex story of the life of a black family immersed in Indian culture, language and history. ... a poignant story ...well-told story. The reader will long remember Abraham's Well and will be touched ....--Angela Y. Walton-Raji, genealogist and author, African-NativeAmerican.com/
"Foster returns to historical fiction with an evocative tale of the sticky lies and bloody promises of an often untold journey in American history--the trek of the Indian slave on The Trail of Tears. As a Christian, a woman, an African American and one who also has "Indian in her family" this book took me 1000 miles in both my heart and mind. As always, Foster's mastery of setting and language paint a family and a nation that we must never forget. This book will be required reading for all my children and their children after them. It's not to be missed."--Marilynn Griffith, author of Pink and Made of Honor
"Sharon Ewell Foster merges little known history with fiction to pen another amazing novel with Abraham's Well. In her trademark style – rich language that makes you want to read passages again and again and descriptions that take you back two hundred years – Foster creates an engaging story that not only pulls on every one of your heart strings, but will have you talking out loud to the characters. Abraham's Well is hard to put down. Definitely, one of the best reads of the year!"--Victoria Christopher Murray
"Abraham's Well is a fascinating glimpse into forgotten corners of American history, which we would do well to remember. Throughout the novel, Sharon Ewell Foster's words flow effortlessly across the landscape of the reader's mind, painting vivid pictures that educate, entertain, delight, horrify, and in the end, offer the kind of hope and comfort we can only receive from the hands of a master storyteller."--Athol Dickson, author of River Rising
"Abraham's Well is a special story, as it tells the complex story of the life of a black family immersed into Indian culture, language and history. This is the story that follows a black Indian family slaves of the Cherokees. It is the story of a family that endured the pain of the Trail of Tears, and cried their own tears, and later saw the new nation emerge in Indian Territory while still in bondage. Abraham's Well is a poignant story where the reader sees the complexity of life not only for the slaves, but also for the Indians who enslaved them. The effects of the Trail of Tears, the effects of slavery and the effects of the Civil War are all evident in this well-told story. The reader will long remember Abraham's Well and will be touched as the family was touched as they encountered Ketoowah's Son."--Angela Y. Walton-Raji
Abraham's Well--4 1/2 stars-- Romantic Times
"This book will stay with you long after you finish it, and you may find your own trail of tears falling right on the pages." -- Claudia Mair Burney, author of Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man.
Reviews for Abraham's Well
"Foster (Passing By Samaria; Ain't No Valley; etc.) returns to historical fiction with this innovative and intriguing novel set in mid-19th-century America. ...A fascinating 'note from the author' discusses Foster's own Indian heritage, and provocatively suggests that black people have sometimes claimed Indian lineage in order to distance themselves from their African-American identity. This is the rare historical novel that both entertains and educates." - --Publishers Weekly
Abraham's well is truthful, historic and yes, disturbing. But even in it's brutal truths, Abraham's well is entertaining, hard to put down and certainly hard to forget. Venus
Visit Sharon's website to learn more about her. By the way, I'm sure you're going to want to purchase you own copy of Abraham's book, simply go to my bookshelf widget and click on the book cover and you can purchase it via Amazon.com in the top right hand corner. Enjoy!
Excerpt
There's Indian in my family...The time is 1838.
Armentia pointed to a well on the land their Cherokee master owns. "It seems hard to believe now, son, but someday we'll have our own land. Land with a well just like this one…."
Inspired by true events, authentic slave narratives, and other historical accounts, Abraham's Well is the profoundly moving story of the Black Cherokee--African Americans, both slave and free--who, along with native people, walked the Trail of Tears. It is the story of their forced removal from the Southeast to Indian Territory--modern day Oklahoma--and of the courage and faith of one woman as she struggles to overcome her desperate circumstances.
And it is the story of an author who, in researching and writing, found her own way home.
Endorsements for Abraham's Well
...a special book that tells the complex story of the life of a black family immersed in Indian culture, language and history. ... a poignant story ...well-told story. The reader will long remember Abraham's Well and will be touched ....--Angela Y. Walton-Raji, genealogist and author, African-NativeAmerican.com/
"Foster returns to historical fiction with an evocative tale of the sticky lies and bloody promises of an often untold journey in American history--the trek of the Indian slave on The Trail of Tears. As a Christian, a woman, an African American and one who also has "Indian in her family" this book took me 1000 miles in both my heart and mind. As always, Foster's mastery of setting and language paint a family and a nation that we must never forget. This book will be required reading for all my children and their children after them. It's not to be missed."--Marilynn Griffith, author of Pink and Made of Honor
"Sharon Ewell Foster merges little known history with fiction to pen another amazing novel with Abraham's Well. In her trademark style – rich language that makes you want to read passages again and again and descriptions that take you back two hundred years – Foster creates an engaging story that not only pulls on every one of your heart strings, but will have you talking out loud to the characters. Abraham's Well is hard to put down. Definitely, one of the best reads of the year!"--Victoria Christopher Murray
"Abraham's Well is a fascinating glimpse into forgotten corners of American history, which we would do well to remember. Throughout the novel, Sharon Ewell Foster's words flow effortlessly across the landscape of the reader's mind, painting vivid pictures that educate, entertain, delight, horrify, and in the end, offer the kind of hope and comfort we can only receive from the hands of a master storyteller."--Athol Dickson, author of River Rising
"Abraham's Well is a special story, as it tells the complex story of the life of a black family immersed into Indian culture, language and history. This is the story that follows a black Indian family slaves of the Cherokees. It is the story of a family that endured the pain of the Trail of Tears, and cried their own tears, and later saw the new nation emerge in Indian Territory while still in bondage. Abraham's Well is a poignant story where the reader sees the complexity of life not only for the slaves, but also for the Indians who enslaved them. The effects of the Trail of Tears, the effects of slavery and the effects of the Civil War are all evident in this well-told story. The reader will long remember Abraham's Well and will be touched as the family was touched as they encountered Ketoowah's Son."--Angela Y. Walton-Raji
Abraham's Well--4 1/2 stars-- Romantic Times
"This book will stay with you long after you finish it, and you may find your own trail of tears falling right on the pages." -- Claudia Mair Burney, author of Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man.
Reviews for Abraham's Well
"Foster (Passing By Samaria; Ain't No Valley; etc.) returns to historical fiction with this innovative and intriguing novel set in mid-19th-century America. ...A fascinating 'note from the author' discusses Foster's own Indian heritage, and provocatively suggests that black people have sometimes claimed Indian lineage in order to distance themselves from their African-American identity. This is the rare historical novel that both entertains and educates." - --Publishers Weekly
Friday, June 5, 2009
Fiction Friday Is Back!
The trees and grass are emerald, flowers are in full bloom. We're awakened by the praise songs of robins, sparrows and blue jays -clarions announcing that spring is here! Soon it will be time for the return of My Weekly Fiction Fridays Blog. Each week during the summer, I will feature some of my all time favorite author-buddies as well as some new kids on the block (look who's talking). You can look forward to tantilizing excerpts from some of the hottest Christian novelists of our time!
Look for the following phenomenal fiction-writing females, my mentors, role models and literary s/heros: Kim Brooks, Marilynn Griffith, Stacey Hawkins Adams, Tia McCollors, Sherri Lewis, Kendra Norman Bellamy, Vanessa Davis Griggs , Jacqueline Moore and Sharon Ewell Foster!
OMG I can't wait to get started! But hey! Who says I have to wait 'til summer? No one's the boss-o-me! Let's do this!
Look for the following phenomenal fiction-writing females, my mentors, role models and literary s/heros: Kim Brooks, Marilynn Griffith, Stacey Hawkins Adams, Tia McCollors, Sherri Lewis, Kendra Norman Bellamy, Vanessa Davis Griggs , Jacqueline Moore and Sharon Ewell Foster!
OMG I can't wait to get started! But hey! Who says I have to wait 'til summer? No one's the boss-o-me! Let's do this!
V's Vibe
My Fragrance: Almond Cookie by Carol's Daughter
My Candle: Paradise by Shivanne
My Sounds: Smooth Jazz - Kirk Whelan, Boney James, the Rippingtons...
My Gear: A breezy straw skirt, a tank top and wedge heeled sandals
*My Meal: Cedar grilled salmon, corn of the cob and
spinach salad topped with Michigan cherries
*My beverage: Watermelon Punch
My dessert: ONE SCOOP of Stroh's Death by Chocolate ice cream (ha' mercy!)
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