5 Secrets to Submitting a Query Letter

Updated: Mar 28th, 2010

Submitting a query letter to an editor of any travel publication can be a daunting task but it does not have to be. Editors of travel publications receive many query letters and writings each day. Why not make your query letter stand out from the others? Just make sure your travel writing stands out as well.

Before you submit a query letter, read the submission guidelines, twice! Remember editors are very busy people. Imagine having thousands of query letters and travel writings cross your desk only to find out writers did not read the guidelines. That’s time editors cannot get back.

Make sure to proofread your work. Spell check is your friend to a certain degree. Perhaps you wrote a sentence that makes sense but check your punctuation and words. You could have inadvertently typed the word “there” when the word you wanted to use was “their.” Be mindful of words that sound the same but are spelled different.

5 Secrets to Submitting a Query Letter

  1. Write the query letter before writing your guidebook or travel article. It can be a helpful planning tool for your whatever it is that you are writing.
  2. Read the submission guidelines. Editors cannot stand it when travel writers send query letters along with their travel writing and the guidelines have been ignored. Their time is valuable to them.
  3. Write a one page query letter. The first paragraph is where you want to catch the eye of the editor. Be careful, some editors are tired of this technique. The second and third paragraphs summarize the theme and angle of your travel writing. The final paragraph summarizes your qualifications as a travel writer.
  4. Proofread your writing over and over until it is “spot on” ready for submission. Have someone else proofread your writing. A second or third pair of eyes is always best to ensure no mistakes are made. Plus, you may find some paragraphs that can be “tighter” or cut out all together.
  5. Patience and perseverance. Editors of travel publications receive query letters and writings each day. It may take some time before the editor reaches your outstanding travel writing.

Links to writing a query

  1. Writing Help Partnership. Provides tips on how to approach and write a query letter.
  2. How to Submit a Travel Article. Steps to take on how to submit a query letter to a publication.
  3. Suite 101. Find out how to structure a query letter.
  4. Books From National Geographic. Purchase a book and see how other authors write. If you have to revise your writing project so be it. This will make you a stronger writer.

~ Rebecca

About Amandah Blackwell 198 Articles

Amandah Blackwell is a creative, freelance and ghost writer for industries that include but are not limited to the arts & entertainment, travel, publishing, real estate, pets, personal and professional development, and much more.

Amandah's personal writing projects include screenplays, teleplays, YA, non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. 

You can find more of her writing at www.MisticCafe.com, savvywritingcareers.wordpress.com, and www.savvy-writer.com.

You can follow Amandah on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/savvy_writer

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