If you are already a seasoned writer it is easier to do freelance magazine writing. You have a portfolio and examples of where you have been published and the work you can produce. If you are just starting out you will have a tougher go of it. One of the best attributes of a freelance magazine writer is patience. It can take a year to get an article sold and published but once you get the ball rolling you will have an easier time of it.
Freelance magazine writers can follow a few simple steps to get their start:
- Get the resources. Writer's Market is the freelance writer's bible. The book lists over a thousand consumer magazines and over four hundred trade magazines. It is available in paperback and CD. It carries all the submission and selling tips you need.
- Every business has their 'busy time' and magazines are no different. Find out what their publication deadlines are and be sure to work around them. If you are writing time sensitive material your article could be outdated by the next magazine publication deadline.
- Find out and respect the magazine's submission guidelines. If they don't want full manuscripts and you send one they might never even look at it.
- It is tempting to submit to more than one magazine at a time. If you choose to do so be sure you let the editors know.
- If you want to resell your article to another magazine then be sure you only sell the First Serial Rights to the first magazine. All subsequent magazines will need to know where the article has been published previously and under what rights.
- Remember the number one attribute of a magazine writer? Be patient. Editors are inundated with submissions and just might not have gotten to yours yet. Do not call or write and ask how it is going unless it has passed their published response time.
- Always know the byline policy of each magazine you submit to. Also the buying of publication rights. You don't want to sell your piece only to have your byline omitted and also lose the right to have it published elsewhere.
- If you get a request from an editor to rewrite it, don't you dare take offense. This is an honor and definitely better than a rejection letter, right? They are offering you another chance, which means they liked your work.