Writing for Magazines - How to get your work published in local newspapers and magazines PDF
Preview Writing for Magazines - How to get your work published in local newspapers and magazines
If you want to know how . . . Creative Writing Use your imagination, develop your writing skills and get published Writing a Children's Book How to write for children and get published Write & Sell Your Novel The beginner's guide to writing for publication Awaken the Writer Within Release your creativity and find your true writer's voice The Writer's Guide to Getting Pubhlished howtobooks Please send for a free copy of the latest catalogue: How To Books Spring Hill House, Spring Hill Road Oxford OX5 1RX, United Kingdom email: [email protected] http://www.howtobooks.co.uk WRITING FOR MAGAZINES How to get your work published in local newspapers and magazines... Adele Ramet howtobooks Published by How To Content, A division of How To Books Ltd, Spring Hill House, Spring Hill Road, Begbroke, Oxford 0X5 1RX. United Kingdom. Tel: (01865) 375794. Fax: (01865) 379162. email: [email protected] http://www.howtobooks.co.uk All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or stored in an information retrieval system (other than for purposes of review) without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The right of Adèle Ramet to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. © 2007 Adèle Ramet First published in paperback 1998 Reprinted 1998, 1999 Second edition 2001 Third edition 2004 Fourth edition 2007 First published in electronic form 2007 ISBN: 978 1 84803 125 8 Cartoons by Simon Ramet Cover design by Baseline Arts Ltd, Oxford, UK Produced for How To Books by Deer Park Productions, Tavistock, Devon, UK Typeset by PDQ Typesetting, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, UK NOTE: The material contained in this book is set out in good faith for general guidance and no liability can be accepted for loss or expense incurred as a result of relying in particular circumstances on statements made in the book. The laws and regulations are complex and liable to change, and readers should check the current position with the relevant authorities before making personal arrangements. Contents List of illustrations X Preface xi Acknowledgements XV 1 Mixing Fact and Fiction 1 Establishing common ground 2 Exploiting the similarities 4 Playing around with the facts 5 Reading about people 6 Changing with the seasons 7 Taking a flexible approach 8 Case studies 9 Checklist 10 Assignment 10 2 Constructing an Article 11 Hooking the reader 11 Drafting an outline 13 Keeping to the point 14 Laying it out logically 16 Working to a set length 18 Case studies 21 Checklist 21 Assignment 22 3 Getting Articles Into Print 23 Writing features for magazines 23 Knowing your subject 27 Using professional expertise 28 Sharing hobbies and interests 29 Producing material for newspapers 33 Becoming a regular columnist 33 Case studies 37 vi / WRITING FOR MAGAZINES Checklist 38 Assignment 38 4 Researching and Filing Systems 39 Gathering information 39 Gaining access to reference material 41 Establishing contacts 42 Attending lectures and conferences 44 Recording and storing information 45 WP or PC? 46 Updating your records 48 Case studies 48 Checklist 49 Assignment 49 5 Rewriting to Suit Different Markets 51 Adapting your style 51 Altering the angle 53 Making them laugh 54 Taking photographs 56 Quoting the experts 59 Conducting interviews 61 Case studies 67 Checklist 67 Assignment 68 6 Writing Short Stories 69 Understanding the market 69 Analysing published fiction 74 Relating to the readership 77 Exploring your options 80 Following the guidelines 84 Case studies 88 Checklist 89 Assignment 89 7 Caring For Your Characters 90 Identifying with your characters 90 Simplifying the plot 93 Settings and backgrounds 96 CONTENTS / vii Listening in on conversations 97 Solving problems 100 Raising hopes 102 Case studies 103 Checklist 104 Assignment 104 8 Finding the Right Format 105 Romancing the reader 105 Looking at lifestyles 107 Selecting the viewpoint character 109 Going back in time 111 Devising serials 111 Case studies 112 Checklist 113 Assignment 113 9 Creating a Twist in the Tale 115 Defining the twist in the tale 115 Beginning with the ending 118 Twisting the 'what if?' factor 121 Plotting and planning 123 Framing the victim 124 Misleading isn't cheating 124 Case studies 126 Checklist 127 Assignment 127 10 Signposting 129 Taking your reader along the scenic route 129 Planting the clues 130 Turning and twisting 133 Sexual stereotyping 136 Drawing inspiration from the spirit world 138 Case studies 140 Checklist 141 Assignment 141 viii / WRITING FOR MAGAZINES 11 Twisting With Little Old Ladies 142 Taking account of past experience 142 Disposing of clever cats and dimwitted dogs 144 Murdering your spouse 145 Putting the male viewpoint in a woman's world 149 Plots to avoid 150 Where do you get your ideas? 153 Case studies 154 Checklist 154 Assignment 155 12 Fitting a Specific Plot 156 Writing to length 156 Using the right vocabulary 163 Showing through action and dialogue 165 Keeping it short with flashback 167 Knowing what to cut and what to keep 169 Case studies 172 Checklist 172 Assignment 173 13 Working as a Freelance 174 Establishing a reputation 174 Delivering the goods 176 Coming up with a better idea 177 Attending press functions 178 Working from press releases 180 Planning ahead 183 Breaking new ground 184 Case studies 185 Checklist 186 Assignment 186 14 Marketing Your Manuscript 187 Presenting your manuscript 187 Submitting your work 'on spec' 196 Covering letters and article proposals 200 Selecting alternative markets 204 Obtaining commissions 207 Getting on-line 208 CONTENTS / ix Syndicating overseas 209 Checklist 211 Assignment 211 15 Keeping Records 212 Tracking your manuscript 212 Understanding copyright 213 The implications of electronic publishing 215 Keeping accounts - income and expenditure 217 Making friends with the tax man 220 Listening to the professionals 220 Solutions to exercises 227 Glossary 229 Useful addresses 233 Further reading 236 Index 239 List of Illustrations 1. The differences between factual articles and fictional stories 2 2. Sample outline for article on egg decorating 14 3. Magazine analysis sheet (women's magazines) 32 4. Sample planner for weekly DIY column 36 5. Photograph of Lavenham Church, Suffolk 58 6. Story analysis form 76 7. Sample three-handed romance format 120 8. Stages from single to double to triple twist 135 9. Characterisation test 160 10. Example of a press release 181 11. Sample covering letter 188 12. Sample front sheet for article or short story 190 13. Fiction submission chart 197 14. Fiction submission requirements and copyright purchased 198 15. Sample query letter/article proposal 203 16. Chart showing article submission requirements 205 17. Sample format for keeping track of manuscripts 214 18. Number of unsolicited manuscripts per year 221 19. Advice from editors - irritants 222 20. Advice from editors - preferences 222 21. Advice from editors - useful tips 223 X
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