How to Write and Publish a Basic Entertainment Article

Entertainment is a huge field, incorporating books, TV shows, films, plays, music, and even video games, but it may be hard for the beginning writer to break into a major magazine. The good news is that online and in print are a variety of entertainment publications that accept unsolicited articles. When thinking of writing a quality entertainment piece, there are a few steps to take.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find an angle. Where is the slice of life in this piece? How does it compare to its predecessors? For instance, the latest Stephen King film needs to be compared to the original story or previous films from the author. This takes hard work, but the writer is showing an understanding of the subject. Some believe originality in the piece is paramount; others say good writing wins. If one has an original angle, the piece is much stronger.
2. Determine your lead. The old story in journalism is, write a good lead and then spend the rest of the article proving it. If you say something, always back it up, which provides the structure for writing any entertainment article.
3. Know your intended audience. Writing a film review of latest Tom Cruise or Will Smith film may sound nice on paper, but the writer needs to find who will be interested. A publication that focuses on independent media likely won’t want the next blockbuster movie review. Knowing the intended audience leads to sales.
4. Know the publication. It can help to show that you understand how things like reviews are published in terms of lengths and the main thesis they provide. It may take some work, but it leads to sales.
5. Find out if it pays. Query big markets first, but always have backups with smaller presses. Do not rely on your latest “Writer’s Market” book for entertainment publication. There are, at least in the 2008 edition, very few markets for entertainment. Look online and hundreds of unlisted, paying publications can be found. Also, consider that many magazines, even ones slanted towards men or women, publish article related to entertainment. “The Sun,” for instance, publishes personal essays, but there are also interviews published in certain issues. “The New Yorker” is another: one can look to each issue and find film and book reviews.
6. Follow the entertainment field. A writer can make a career here. If one hears about an upcoming film with big buzz based on a book, then a review of the original book may find some interest, as it relates to something hot on the market. An entertainment writer needs to know what places to get the news on upcoming events. Bookmark a dozen or more entertainment sites and visit each at least once a week. This will pay off in the end.

Tips & Warnings

• Query newspapers with topical articles early.
• Good sites I have used for research include Ain’t It Cool News, IGN, and even Wikipedia.