Writing for Magazines - How to get your work published in local newspapers and magazines

257 Pages·2016·8.66 MB·English

by  Ramet Adèle.

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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: [phone]. Fax: [phone].
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