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Access the Archives to Achieve Success
By Shaunna Privratsky
Would you like to break into a seemingly impossible market?
How about landing an assignment at a high-paying magazine?
I can’t guarantee success, but I can let you in on a secret
weapon: the archives.
Archives are a goldmine for savvy freelancers. It shortcuts
the query process, because you can see the topics that have
been covered recently. It can also point out gaps, or missing
topics that you are just the writer to fill.
Another helpful aspect of archives shows the evergreen topics.
For example, most magazines run some kind of thankfulness
article around November. Put a fresh angle or your own unique
experiences to the topic, send it in plenty of time, and you
will have a greater chance of an acceptance.
When perusing the archives, notice any patterns that emerge.
For example, maybe the summer months have fewer articles, while
the busy holidays are jam-packed. Get a feel for the lead time
on your target market. Some editors appreciate last minute
submissions to fill gaps, but others adhere to a strict
submission schedule. The guidelines don’t always tell the full
story.
You can also pick up on the tone and style of the magazine.
Besides reading the current issue, you can compare past articles
with what was recently published. Are they more streamlined, or
more of a folksy style? Do they use a lot of bulleted articles,
or stick to a traditional paragraph format?
The more archives, the better. It lets you go back several
years and see if there is a topic that could be refreshed, from
your own perspective. It is like getting a shortcut to the
editor’s needs, almost like a cheat sheet.
Archives can be your foot in the door. In an article query,
you might mention that you did not find the topic covered, and
segue into why your article fills that need. This also shows
the editor that you did your homework.
I did this with my query to The Writer Magazine, and landed an
acceptance for my article, Freelance Lingo in a Nutshell, in
the March 2004 issue. I also used this technique in queries I
have out to WOW! Women on Writing at
http://wow-womenonwriting.com/contact.php and Long Island
Woman Magazine
http://www.liwomanonline.com/writersguidelines.html
What if there are no archives available? You can use your
favorite search engine, or check out back issues at the library.
If there is a particular subject you want to cover, focus on that.
If you just want a feel for the style and tone, it is worth it to
send for a sample issue. Most magazines will provide one at
minimal cost, or even send one through email.
Another clue to past articles lies in the contributor’s
biographies. Maybe you recognize someone’s name, or you can
contact them through their website. Many writers post links
to their works, and this can reveal important information about
the type of articles the magazine accepts.
If you are serious about breaking into an elusive market, check
out the archives. For the writer willing to do some homework,
archives can be a treasure chest of possibilities.
Fund For Writers
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/morearticles.htm
Writing For Dollars
http://www.writingfordollars.com/ArticlesDB.cfm
Writer’s Weekly
http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article.php
Success For Women
http://www.sfwmag.com/about-sfw-magazine/
(Click each category for past posts)
Better Homes and Gardens Online
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/file.jsp?item=/help/writersGuidelines
BIO
Shaunna Privratsky is a professional writer living in North
Dakota. When she's not shoveling snow, she is busy searching
through the archives for a perfect opportunity. Please visit
The Writer Within at
http://shaunna67.tripod.com
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