Magazine Editors Talk to Writers

By Judy Mandell

Book Overview

Top editors share inside information on how magazine publishing really works Based on incisive interviews with editors from such leading publications as Esquire, Parade, Field & Stream, American Baby, and Ladies' Home Journal, this indispensable book gives you all the information you need to write successfully for magazines. Invaluable advice and tips from editors representing the whole spectrum of magazine publishing will help you break into the category of your choice. Here's the inside scoop on: The business of getting published: What you should know about contracts, copyrights, and kill fees Editors: Discover what their roles are, how they make decisions, and what they look for in their writers Queries and proposals: What makes them eye-catching? The truth behind the "what ifs": What if a writer sends multiple queries? What if the deadline is not met? What if an author has problems with an editor? Magazine jargon: Understand terms such as over the transom, lead time, galley, on spec, and many more

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471119911
• ISBN13: 9780471119913
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Get it!

I strongly recommend that you buy this book. I couldn't put the book down. As useful as it is to read a book from a writer on how to publish magazine articles, it is even more useful to read a book that takes you into the minds of magazine editors. Each chapter is an interview with a different editor. It is like sitting down over a cup of coffee and having a very personal conversation with an editor. Each one reveals different insights into how to write for magazines the right way. Sometimes they differ on points of view, but it is interesting to understand each one's perspective. Editors, who are normally too busy to write each person who has submitted a query letter and explain why it was rejected, offer many explanations in this book. Do you know why so many query letters are rejected? Do you know what pet peeves editors have about writers? Do you know what qualities they look for most in query letters? Do you know how writers can break in at the top magazines? Then get this book!

An honest look at what editors really want

Besides providing a peek at the editor's point-of-view (always useful), this book also gives practical advice for people just starting out in the freelance business. This book has a great deal to offer and would not be a waste of money for anyone interested in writing for magazines.