EPISODE 4: Demystifying Query Letters and Book Proposals

Angela and Brian share the dos and don’ts for freelance writers and authors pitching magazines, websites, or traditional publishers when seeking assignments or book deals.
Angela and Brian share the dos and don’ts for freelance writers and authors pitching magazines, websites, or traditional publishers when seeking assignments or book deals.
Angela and Brian explore NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), its history, mission, and the surprising recent announcement that the beloved nonprofit will be shutting down.
Angela and Brian reveal how WritersWeekly fights global publishing scams and share practical steps to help you verify if a publishing company is legitimate or fraudulent.
Angela and Brian expose the surge in global scams targeting writers—using slick websites, social media, and calls to sell bogus writing and book-to-movie services.
“Now What? is a monthly e-zine aimed at the unchurched that addresses the “felt needs” of people. Each issue centers on a personal experience, with optional objective articles related to the topic if the author provides them. Stories show an individual’s struggle that either led them to faith in Christ or deepened their walk with God.” Welcomes new writers.
Pays $25-$65 for 1,000-1,500 words. Submit query by email.
“The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide is a bimonthly magazine of history, culture, and politics targeting an educated readership of GLBT men and women. The G&LR publishes essays in a wide range of disciplines as well as reviews of books, movies, and plays. ‘It’s our intellectual journal,’ remarked Larry Kramer in The New York Times.” Bimonthly. Pays within 60 days of publication. Period between acceptance and publication varies. Buys one-time rights. Occasionally accepts reprints “excerpted from previously published works, and published on our blog.” Responds immediately if interested; otherwise, up to 6 months. Guidelines online
Pays $100 – $200
“FIDO Friendly is the Travel & Lifestyle magazine for you and your dog. Each issue includes hotel and destination reviews, adoption stories, health and wellness topics and the latest trends.” 100% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 50K. Quarterly. Pays on publication.
Pays $0.10/word.
“Cadet Quest is a 24-page magazine for boys ages 9 – 14. It is a Christian-oriented magazine for members of a Christian youth organization known as the Calvinist Cadet Corps. Boys from many Protestant denominations make up the Cadet Quest’s audience. Our purpose is to show how God is at work in the lives of boys and in the world around them. We have worked with new writers in the past and would do so in the future if their work fits our themes.” 7 issues/year. Pays on acceptance. Publishes ms within 1 year of acceptance. Guidelines online
Pays $0.05-0.08/word for 900-1300 words (fiction) and 700-1200 words (articles).
Welcomes new writers. Circ. 22.5K. Bimonthly. Pays on publication. Publishes ms two months after acceptance. Buys first rights. No reprints. Responds one week. Sample copy available online. Guidelines available by email.
Pays $350 for 1000-2000 words.
“We are a bi-monthly Native North American newspaper whose purpose is to present good news of what’s happening across Indian Country.” 20% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 14K. Bimonthly. Pays on publication. Publishes ms two months after acceptance. Buys first rights. No reprints. Responds within six weeks.
Pays $0.15/word up to $175 for 500-2000 words.