Boost Your Income Writing Magazine Articles

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Boost Your Income Writing Magazine Articles

• Kim Rosenlof
• AeroInk Incorporated
• P.O. Box 28362 Tempe, AZ 85285-8362
• 480-736-1445 kim_at_aeroink.com

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Questions

• What can I write?
• Wholl buy my writing?
• How can I get editors to look at my work?
• How should I submit my work?
• What will happen to my work after I submit it?
• What can I expect to be paid and when?
• Where can I get more information?

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What can I write?

• Writing for you
• Your story, your format
• Fiction, poetry, essay
• Write first, then sell
• Writing for a market
• Event, theme
• Usually queried, sometimes unsolicited submission
• Writing for a magazine
• Get assignment first
• Write to that magazines guidelines

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What can I write?

• Sources for inspiration
• Hobbies (yours and your kids!)
• Kids
• Work and industry
• Home, esp. home improvements
• Events
• Exercise

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Who will buy my writing?

• Non-fiction
• Traditional pubs
• What do you read? (Home and work incl. Trade
  pubs)
• Browse the newstands
• Writers Market, Writing magazines
• Internet pubs
• Search the net, but beware
• Fiction
• Tougher market, but same sources as technical
• Contests, anthologies

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How can I get editors to look at my writing?

• Traditional Query Letter
• Well-written one page query letter if snail mail
• Shorter query note if e-mail
• Include list of published works and/or clips
• Personal Contact
• Trade shows, writing workshops/conventions
• Telephone calls only after relationship
  established
• Non-traditional Opportunities
• Working at trade show or other pub spin-offs
• Internet opportunities

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How should I submit my work?

• Per magazine requirements
• Usually via e-mail in Word or .rtf format
• Stick to word count and deadline as given!
• Photos
• Good quality photography always helpful
• Slides better than film
• Digital acceptable at 300 dpi or higher at 4 x 6
• Protect Your Work!
• Name, title in header on each page
• Keep copy handy in case editor needs second copy

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What will happen to my work after I submit it?

• Editing process
• Edit for magazine style, tone
• Copy edit for grammar, fact checks
• Some pubs return to author for proof
• Layout
• Photos, artwork
• Author has no jurisdiction over layout

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Minimizing Editorial Errors

• Write to assigned word count
• Editors wont have to chop for length
• Consider sidebars
• Include references/full names
• North American P-51 Mustang vs P-51
• Helps both editor and least knowledgeable reader
• Check your facts dont rely on editor

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What can I expect to be paid and when?

• Amount options
• Contributors copies only
• Per article (25 - 1,000 and up)
• Per word (10 cents to 1.50 per word)
• Time options
• Upon acceptance
• Upon publication
• Invoiced
• Kill fee

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How can I maximize my earnings?

• Write for the highest paying magazine that will
  accept your level of expertise
• Beginners may have to publish in freebies to
  get clips, but then move on
• Check Company awards for publication in trade
  magazines
• Revise and resell same article
• Careful about competing pubs
• Can also sell reprints in certain markets

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Misc Tips

• Treat your sources well
• Copies of articles, thank yous, etc.
• Simultaneous Submissions Tricky
• Only do if both pubs approve and know
• Business cards and/or letters from pub will help
  open doors

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Where can I get more information?

• Writers Market
• Magazines
• Writers Digest
• The Writer
• National Writers Union
• www.nwu.org
• Call/E-mail me
• 480-736-1445/kim_at_aeroink.com