How to Get a Magazine Article Idea Published

You have an idea, personal experience or expertise in an area you believe would make a great magazine article. Good for you, but how do you about get it published? Many magazine publishers won't even talk to you unless you go through a very specific process, and even then, your chances can be slim to none. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting your article published.

Instructions

1. Study the magazine market. Your goal is to find a few magazines that would be interested in your type of article. Most magazines are very specific in what types of articles they are searching for. You can't just pick your favorite magazine. Pick three or four magazines you feel might be interested in your type of article. The Writer's Market and similar publications can help.

2. Pick up a copy or two of the magazines you feel might be interested and read through them. If they have an online version of the magazine, you might be able to save money and use that instead. Compare the articles that are currently in the magazine to yours. Are they written in a similar manner or would yours stick out like an unwelcome guest? Through this process, decide which of the magazines would be a good fit for your idea.

3. Acquire the writer's guidelines for the magazine. This will be done by various methods: on the magazine's website, through email or request a copy via snail mail. Make sure you include a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting via snail mail. Many magazines will not reply without it.

4. Formulate and send a query to the magazine's publisher or editor. A query is a letter in which you explain your article idea to the publishers of the magazine to see if they are interested in pursuing your idea. Make sure you follow the writer's guidelines. If possible, write to the actual person who is responsible for deciding the fate of your article, not "To Whom It May Concern." Email or snail mail your query depending on what the magazine requested. If it's snail mailed, make sure to once again send a self-addressed stamped envelope.

5. Wait for a reply from the publisher. This is the hardest part; it sometimes seems to take forever but almost all magazine editors will reply in time. If they accept your article idea, work out any needed details with them and write your article. If they reject your magazine idea, pay close attention to any reasons they give you. It's possible you may be able to rectify those negatives and submit another query. If not, there are other places you can go. Don't give up hope.

Tips & Warnings

• In your query letter, make sure to include approximately how long your article is going to be, if you plan to interview anyone for the article and mention any photos you intend to include with your article.

• It is OK to submit more than one query for the same article at a time; a query is not a contract and it increases your chances of getting accepted.

• Chances are, you will receive many, many more rejections than acceptances. Do not get frustrated. You need to refine your work and stick with it. Once you have a few published articles under your belt, things will get easier.

Resources

• Leading Resource Site for Writers