The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles

I wish this had been the first book on writing magazine articles I had bought instead of number 60-something. There is information in this book that I'd never seen in other books.I highly recommend this book, especially to those starting outin their writing career. It covers practically everything thenew writer needs to know; I can't think of anything that was left out.

Fabulous book! I picked up "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles", and after reading all of the wonderful advice and tips, I had the marvelous experience of having my very first submitted article (ever!) retained by a big national magazine (and they only accept 10 in 1,000 from freelancers). I saw a few comments about the book being heavy on travel writing information, but I did not find that to be true at all. I also agree with the reviewer who said that a career in freelancing can begin with this book and a current copy of "Writers Market".I highly recommend this book for those interested in magazine writing. A BIG *THANK YOU* to the authors of this helpful manual!

I've always had a writing bug and I love to tell other people about neat things that I've done. So, at the beginning of 2003, I picked up the book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles."First, I brainstormed about what to write. Then, I used the ideas in the book to determine which magazines to target first. I wrote several articles using the tips on writing effective articles. And, finally, I wrote a few query letters.I approached 2 magazines with 1 article in February and 2 other magazines with another article in March and April. The first article was rejected both times. The second article was rejected once in March, but some interest was expressed by the second magazine in April. After a month or so of back and forth communication, the second publication (Nuts & Volts, for electronic hobbyists) agreed to buy my article. My family and friends were quite impressed when they visited their local ...bookstores and saw that my article was the main, headliner article on the cover of the July 2003 issue!What more can I say but, "the advise in this book works!"

Before reading this book, I'd written and sold a couple of short fiction stories but had never tried nonfiction. I liked the idea of writing magazine articles but had no idea how to go about it. I picked up "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles" because I like their simplified approach to topics and because I'd read the other IDIOT'S GUIDE Sheree Bykofsky co-wrote (Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published). The Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles gives you a no-nonsense approach from start to finish, covering things like studying the market, generating ideas, querying editors, assignments, conducting interviews, and actually writing the article, as well as some tips on book proposals, the life of a magazine writer (waiting/praying for checks), even taxes.After I read "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles" I thought up a couple ideas, fired off some queries, and sold three articles the month after I bought the book. Now I'm working on assignment (not spec) writing a second piece for one of the magazines to which I sold an article last month. If you can write and if you have something interesting to say, this book and a copy of "Writer's Market" are the twin pillars on which you can build a freelance career.Charles HustmyreNew Orleans, LA

I bought this book last September because it was the only book I could find that included Web writing and email queries. It has been an enormous help.I also really liked the advice on finding a niche. Since I'm an accredited breastfeeding counselor, mine has turned out to be pregnancy, breastfeeding, and babies. I guess I'm doing something right, because I've sold three feature articles to ePregnancy.com, Breastfeeding Baby Steps and Best Foot Forward. Another will be posted soon. In addition, I've gotten two article assignments from a local parenting magazine, one on swimming programs for young children and another on baby-wearing (slings, wraps, etc.). I've been meaning to write a review for many weeks, but considering my young kids and my new writing career, I've been pleasantly busy. This has helped me get started with online publishing in a field I know well. I consider this a great book!