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Get Your Articles Published: Proposal

by Lesley Bown and Ann Gawthorpe

Once you have an idea for an article and are sure you can collect enough information to write it, it is time to find it a home by preparing a proposal to send to magazines.

Firstly do your homework and pick the right magazine. Then check their guidelines. If they don’t have guidelines, ring up and ask how they like to receive proposals and who they should be addressed to – nothing gets binned quicker than a letter starting dear Sir or Madam. Some magazines take emails others will want hard copy.

The proposal includes: a) a letter containing a summary of your article in one paragraph, its length, why it will appeal to their readership, why you are qualified to write it and what illustrations you can provide; b) your CV; c) copies of cuttings from your portfolio. If they accept emails, create a montage of your cuttings which can be attached to your email along with your CV.

Some magazines prefer to see the written article rather than a proposal. Ask if they want email or hard copy. Make sure you include your CV and cuttings plus a stamped addressed envelope if you want the hard copy back.

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