How to Write a Simultaneous Ideas Query
by Jane Lake

Increase Your Acceptance Ratio

Magazines often refuse to accept simultaneous submissions.  This means your carefully honed query letter can only be sent to one busy editor at a time - and the turnaround from submission to response is often exceedingly slow.  So how can you increase your query submissions while still respecting this editorial guideline?

I've had tremendous success with what I call the 'simultaneous ideas query'.  Instead of sending a query letter which focuses on just one idea for an article, I submit five or six ideas at once - to the same editor.  This increases my chances of having a query turn into an assignment, and editors often appreciate the convenience of having several ideas presented at once, in one tidy package.

So how do you craft a successful 'simultaneous ideas query'?  Follow these seven stepsand you will succeed.

Know Your Market

Read back issues of the magazine that you are submitting to and jot down any articles that are similar in tone or presentation to what you have in mind.  Read those articles thoroughly because you will refer to them in your query.

List Opportunities

Make a note of regular columns that you could submit to, especially those that focus on hints, tips or ideas from readers.

Brainstorm Your Ideas

What would work for this particular magazine?  Jot down your inspiration for full length feature articles, as well as ideas that might fit in the regular columns.

Choose One Idea

Choose one of your ideas to develop more fully than the others.  This is to provide the editor with a taste of your ability and writing style.  You will devote perhaps a half page (single spaced) to this one well-developed idea.

Build an Idea List

Build your simultaneous idea list.  One of mine to Canadian Living Magazine included a brief paragraph on each of the following ideas, meant for inclusion in their Upfront column. This one simultaneous idea query netted me six 250-word assignments, at $100 each:

• Kids as Consumers
• Employment Scam Alert
• Don't Fall Asleep at the Wheel
• The Wonder Root:  Ginseng
• Balancing Work and Family
• Test Your Knowledge of Tornado Safety
• Writers PEN Travel Stories
• Debunking the Mommy Track
• Satisfaction in Retirement
• Affordable Caviar
• Financial Records:  What to Keep or Toss

Write Your Introduction

If you're a published writer, tell the editor, and include tear sheets.  If you are not, then say you are a freelance writer who is very familiar with Example Magazine.  Mention a published article that particularly impressed you, and continue on to introduce your ideas.  Like this:  "I have in mind some article ideas that are well-suited to Example Magazine.  These would have a similar tone and pace to Published Article Example, featured in your June issue.  In addition, I am including four quick ideas for inclusion in your Upfront column.”

Start with One Idea

Begin with the one idea that you have developed to a half page query.  Now you have the editors attention - and it's time to work that to your advantage.  Use a transition paragraph to segue into the rest of your query  ideas.  Here's an example:  "In addition to this article proposal, please also consider the following feature ideas:...." Keep these ideas to one or two short  paragraphs.  Then, when you are done with features, add your last ideas: "These last submissions would be suitable for your Upfront column..."

• Finish with finesse:  " Upon receiving your acceptance of one, or all, of these ideas, I will work on the chosen article(s) and submit the completed manuscript(s) to meet your publication requirements and deadline. Thank you for your consideration.”

By using the simultaneous idea query, you will dramatically increase your chances of getting an assignment.   In addition, you establish your flexibility as a writer by providing a range of good story ideas.  The ideas that aren't purchased can be included in a new simultanous idea query to the next editor on your list - suitably reworked, if needed, to suit that particular market.

One Last Word

One last word of advice:  keep track of all your submissions.   Once you begin sending regular simultaneous idea queries, the sheer number of your ideas out there 'on the table' can proliferate quickly.  Best to be organized, and have a notebook handy tracking all ideas sent to each market.  That way, when an editor calls you, and says, "Yes, please go ahead with the idea on Tornado Safety..." you won't be caught in a whirlwind, trying to remember exactly what you proposed to whom.  The idea will be right there in front of you, ready to write for publication.

Copyright 2002 Jane Lake

Jane Lake is an accomplished writer, content manager, and web designer with her own web site at:

http://www.allfreecrafts.com Visit Jane’s site for wonderful creative ideas and craft projects.