1. How to Break into Magazine Writing Put it in Writing @your library College of San Mateo April 12, 2005

2. 1 DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB……..YET

3. 2 THE AGE-OLD QUESTION…..

4. 3 HOW DO I GET PUBLISHED IF I DON’T HAVE ANY CLIPS?

5. 4 How do I get published if I don’t have any clips? THINK LOCALLY (the smaller the market, the less competitive it will be) –College newspaper –Alumni magazine –Local newspapers (look for a byline that reads Special To or Special Correspondent) –Local magazines (are the writers in the masthead?)

6. 5 How do I get published if I don’t have any clips? OTHER STRATEGIES –Trade magazine –Small pieces in national magazines – front/end of the book (look for taglines) –Write on spec

7. 6 Where do I find good ideas? Write about what interests you Your life (follow your emotions and your instincts) Your friends Local newspapers Research journals New books Internet research

8. 7 What makes an idea a good one? Is it new? Is it a trend? Is it relevant to readers? Has this topic been covered recently?

9. 8 How do I find the right market for my story? Writer’s Digest Bookstore Library Industryclick.com Google

10. 9 How do I pitch a magazine? Before you do anything, KNOW the magazine Read their articles Study their TOC Know where your idea fits (column or feature) Identify the right editor

11. 10 What makes a good pitch? The idea is a good one Engaging – show off your writing style Well written (NO TYPOS!!) Explains what the story will cover Background Sidebars? Explains where the piece will fit in the magazine (you’ve done your homework)

12. 11 What makes a good pitch? MY FORMAT: Introduce myself and pitch Head Subhead One or two graf lead Background/explain what the story will cover Sidebars

13. 12 What makes a good pitch? The Silent Killer Every year more than 200,000 Americans die from sepsis – and the numbers are on the rise. It’s among the top leading causes of death and yet few people know what it is. Here, one woman’s struggle to survive and her crusade to help others.

14. 13 What makes a good pitch? When Sandra Tiffany started to feel nauseous while traveling through California last summer, she had no idea she was close to the brink of death. Tiffany, a state senator from Nevada, visited a local hospital where she underwent surgery for a blocked kidney stone. Instead of getting better, though, her condition worsened. Doctors rushed the 54-year-old mother of one to the intensive care unit, where they learned she had been struck by sepsis, a little- known but often fatal immune system response to infection that causes the body’s vital organs to shut down. On life support for six days, Tiffany was finally treated with a new drug that ultimately saved her life. Today, Tiffany has become a spokesperson for sepsis, calling for greater public awareness of the condition and introducing legislation that would establish a public reporting system of incidences of sepsis, treatment procedures, and outcomes.

15. 14 What makes a good pitch? A recent study found that the rate of sepsis has tripled in the United States over the past 20 years, making it the 10th leading cause of death in the country; it kills as many people as heart attacks and more people than lung cancer and breast cancer combined. Still, despite its prevalence, there is surprisingly little information or public education about the syndrome and few Americans know that sudden, severe, flu-like symptoms may be a warning of this life- threatening condition. This piece will begin with Tiffany’s story and will then describe what sepsis is and why there is so much confusion and lack of education surrounding it. Sidebars could include “Sepsis at a Glance” with list of symptoms and “Treatments” with a list of treatment options.

16. 15 E-mail v. snail mail? First-time pitch, send an e-mail and follow up with snail mail (or vice versa) Send pitch, clips, and brief bio in snail mail package

17. 16 How many magazines should I send my pitch to? One at a time Wait two to three weeks Follow up with an e-mail or call If you don’t hear back, pitch elsewhere

18. 17 I got the assignment. Now what? Negotiate fee (three second rule on the phone) Agree on word count and deadline Discuss details Editor will send you a contract Publishing rights and kill fees

19. 18 How do I find sources? Professional associations Universities Non-profit organizations Book authors Internet PR Newswire (www.profnet.com)

20. 19 Revisions….what? Yes, you will have to revise No, you are not a bad writer

21. Can I really do this?

22. YES!!!

23. The secret ingredient?

24. PERSISTENCE!!!