How to Get Published in a Magazine

Are you ready to take your writing skills to the next level? If you have a few great clips under your belt, you can break into the exciting world of writing for national magazines. Read on to learn how to get published in a magazine.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ideas
• Patience

1. Come up with ideas. No matter which magazine you'd like to write for, editors are always looking for new and fresh ideas, or unique twists to the age-old stories that run every season. Keep a small notepad with you at all times to write down ideas as they come to you. Having trouble just coming up with ideas? Start by brainstorming a list of thing that you experience in your everyday life--relationships, family, career, hobbies and other topics.

2. Decide which type of magazine you would like to write for once you come up with your winning idea. Obviously, you wouldn't submit an article about fly fishing to a women's magazine. Once you've found your niche, read! Be sure you become familiar with the style of the magazine you wish to write for, and more importantly, the types of articles they publish.

3. Submit your query letter. A query letter is your chance to "sell" your idea to the editor. The letter should explain your topic and why it is of relevance to the magazine, why you are the person who is qualified to write it, and how you plan to develop the article by including potential interviewees.

4. Write your article. Upon approval of your query, begin your interviews and draft your article based on the guidelines you negotiate with your editor.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get discouraged. You're bound to get rejection letters in response to your queries. Just use a rejection as your opportunity to refine your idea and move on.