My next Article-Writing course starts Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Read what it covers here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
Sign up by Feb. 15, 2011 and get a free copy of A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit. Whether you want to use magazine articles to promote your book or you want to establish a career writing articles—or just supplement your income—this book (and this course) will guide you.
Here is an excerpt from the third lesson:
Focus Your Article—What’s the point?
Most editors don’t want “all about” articles. They may publish articles on a wide array of subjects, but the individual article must have a specific purpose. Aspen Magazine, for example, publishes essays, articles on new products, historical pieces, articles on environmental issues and most any topic that relates to Aspen, Colorado. But you’re going to have a better chance of being published in Aspen if you submit an article that is narrowly focused. For example, they would probably sooner accept your piece featuring a local artist who has made it big than a piece about the variety of art pursued in Aspen or one all about your appreciation for Colorado art.
Woman’s World frequently publishes articles on how one woman made a difference. But they wouldn’t be interested in your piece on why some women are altruistic and some aren’t and what happens in people’s lives to make them want to reach out to others. A psychology or religious magazine might be willing to publish this piece.
Below are examples of 4 broad subjects each followed by possible pointed or more narrowly focused article ideas:
Showing horses as a hobby.
Tips for winning in the show ring
How to choose the right riding master for your child
Grooming techniques for a show horse
Flying kites for fun
How to make a box kite
Tips for flying stunt kites
The best kite-flying exhibitions in Southern California
Wedding planning
Go Hawaiian: How to present an authentic luau wedding reception for 200 guests
Great gifts for your wedding party
How to overcome pre-wedding jitters
Gardening
Container herb gardening for apartment dwellers
How to integrate art into your garden
Easy to install water features for your garden
It may help you to narrow your focus by studying regular columns in the magazines (or newspapers) you want to write for. The general topic might be foods, beauty, home and garden, parenting, seniors or spirituality, for example. Read several columns and observe how the writers narrow down their focus. Most magazine websites list the table of contents for several issues. Read the story titles. Study technique and you’ll soon get the idea.
It may take some brain-storming to find your article focus. See if this helps:
• Of course, you have already studied the magazine’s Guidelines for Writers.
• You’ve looked at the magazine (or at least their website) with an open mind in order to see what they typically publish.
• You’ve set aside your attachment to your article written the way you want it and containing the material and stories you want to share.
• Now write down topics within your main subject.
• Narrow the focus of each topic down even more.
As an example: your subject might be fishing. Your possible topics might be:
Fishing in Alaska
How I love fishing
Fishing in Mexico
Lake fishing
Now focus:
Which lure catches the most trout in Cachuma Lake?
How to survive cold water fishing trips.
Where do they catch the big ones in Mexico?
How to instill the love of fishing in your child.
And folks, if you promise the editor a “how to,” make sure that it is a how-to with a real self-help element and not an essay describing your decision to go fishing, getting dressed and packing for the trip, driving to the fishing hole, etc.
That is just a snippet of the lesson you’ll receive in one class. You will be asked to work on an assignment based on this lecture and turn it in. I will, then, offer feedback.
Sign up for the Article-Writing Course today and receive your free copy of A Writer’s Guide to Articles for Book Promotion and Profit by Patricia Fry.