Posted by katekite on July 31, 2002, at 11:39:50
In reply to Where can I publish my story? « Anna P., posted by Dr. Bob on July 31, 2002, at 11:28:56
I don't know off-hand what women's magazine would be best. Getting published can be difficult, but it is writing the story itself and making the effort that is so helpful mentally.
What I would suggest is writing up 2 things, a cover letter and a one page writing sample of the story. A third page is also possible, with a list of writing experiences, but not required if you are a first time writer.
The cover letter shows why you think the magazine would be interested: that other magazines have published these things, that this is a women's issue, that women look to magazines like their for information on how to get help, etc). You might also in the cover letter quote some statistics on spousal/partner abuse and show evidence of knowing the readership of their magazine. The idea is to convince them the story needs to be said, would be entertaining in some way, and that you have special abilities to say it.
The one page writing sample should look very professional and should be similar to what you want to read in the magazine. (Look at other stories women have sent in for an idea, they don't need to have anything to do with your subject). Pay close attention to length - most articles are pretty short. Most widely published magazines will want you to concentrate on some part of your experience that has a positive or educational aspect. For example, what a stay at a women's shelter is like or how your family assisted you at a particularly tough time. How hard it was to tell someone in particular and then how good it was to have spoken up. Coming closer to another female friend or growth as an individual. A secret place or space you had that got you through a tough time. Something like that. Include some hotline numbers at the end or some other resource - the goal should be that all women should be aware there are others like them, that if they are in a bad situation there is help. Hard to fit in a page... The sample page should leave the reader hanging, hoping for more. And should be an example of your personal characteristics like strength of character or perserverance or ability to laugh or look on the bright side. (I'm not in any way saying to treat your experiences lightly, or that they ever could be thought of lightly.)
Your local library reference desk should have a book with the addresses or phone numbers of many magazines. You could make a list from a well-stocked grocery store and then look up all their contact numbers. Try not to send it completely unsolicited but find even the name of a receptionist to direct your submission to. Rather than decide on one particular magazine to send to, plan to have a list of at least 5, maybe 10 or more. There are lots of magazines and they are all looking for something different all the time.
If the magazine is interested they will ask you for a full article and may even help with editting and design. Try to be open minded: they may ask if you can write something similar but make changes (maybe they ran too similar an article last year).
They may pay a small stipend if they decide to publish, but don't expect much - maybe enough to pay for all the paper and postage.
I know more about how to submit books than magazines. I could be off, in that since magazine articles are shorter they might want the whole thing at the beginning. Not sure on that. The way I described is typical for books. When you call to find out who to put it to the attention of, you also ask if they want a sample or the whole article.
There are books on how to get published which you might be able to find at a local library, as well.
Hope that helps.
Kate
poster:katekite
thread:27683
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020728/msgs/27685.html