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Make a List – Make a Sale
By Susan Sundwall
I’ve just re-subscribed to Writer’s Digest magazine. The first issue I received featured WD’s annual guide to the 101 best
websites for writers. As I glanced through the list of websites, categorized under various subheadings, I smiled. How many times
in the last month or so had I seen a magazine with a ‘list’ (think laundry) type article featured on the cover to beckon me
within? It seems we never grow weary of them. Take a look at these popular magazine
cover subheadings.
Family Circle -
Love Your Life: 31 Ways to Be Happy Every Day (May 2006)
Women’s World – Allergy Cures, Smart new ways to stay sniffle free (April 2006)
Family Fun – 6 Cool & Easy Ice-cream Treats and 12 Secrets of Great Family Reunions (August 2004)
Car and Driver – 4 Muscular Sports Cars Show Off Their Pecs (March 2005)
Who writes these articles? Freelancers like you and me. Editors love them because they’re focused, information packed, quick
reading and are almost always a hit with readers. Seasonal articles written in this vein are especially prevalent. My
article, “Ten Terrific Ways to Be Someone’s Holiday Angel,” which appeared in the December 2005 issue of BRIO magazine for
girls, highlights ten relatively simple ideas for service to others to help make Christmas more meaningful.
In preparing the article I remembered my own teen years and those of my children. I made good deed suggestions from that
stockpile and included a few I wished my kids had performed. I also investigated several service organizations like the
Salvation Army for areas where teen volunteers are welcome. My opening and closing paragraphs emphasized the true nature
of the holiday and how easy it is to have fun while helping others.
Finding a Topic
Now, suppose you’re laying cedar bark mulch in your flower beds this spring and find yourself wondering about the six
most popular barks and why home gardeners use them. Do a little investigating and talk to your local nurseryman. Get
an article written and submit it to:
Birds and Blooms – Send query to editors@birdsandblooms.com
Buys 10-12 manuscripts a year. Photos enhance your chances. Pays $100-400 on publication.
Have you recently found eight, tasty new ways to use peanut butter or bean sprouts? Write about them like you were sharing
with a neighbor and send to:
Home Cooking — Bi-monthly magazine that buys 36 nonfiction articles a year. Length 200-350 words for how-to, personal
experience, recipes (include 6-10 recipes). Pays $25-200 for unsolicited articles, 45 days after acceptance. Email:
Editor@HomeCookingmagazine.com
Are you a golfer? Maybe you’ve found four great ways to keep your golf bag organized or would love to share your knowledge
of the latest in golf gadgets like flashing golf balls, trendy new divot mats and metal divot forks. Share those findings
with other golfers by sending to:
Golf News Magazine – 70% freelance written. “We will consider any topic related to golf that is written well with high
standards.” Query with clips. Email: golfnews@aol.com
Pays
on acceptance $75-350 for nonfiction.
Choose a holiday, say, Halloween. Dig around and find some quirky facts or ferret out the ten most popular costumes
rented at costumers across the country. Contact a few of them for a quote or two and send your article to:
Cappers – Bi-weekly tabloid serving families in the rural Midwest. Buys 75 nonfiction articles a year. See an example
at http://www.cappers.com/aprilfools-2006-04-01
. Send
complete manuscript up to 900 words with SASE. Capper’s pays $2.50 per column inch, with an additional $5 if the piece is
used on their website. Mailing address at www.cappers.com.
If you’re interested in trying a list article, as with anything you write, find out as much as possible about your target
publication. You don’t want to submit an article or query about a topic that was covered two months ago. That being said,
there’s an almost limitless array of subjects that will suit this type of writing and don’t be surprised if you also
find it fun, educational and lucrative.
Bio
Susan is a freelance writer and children’s playwright who works from her home in upstate New York.
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