Ask Sally #31 - Addressing editors
This is a question from Kitty.
I have been submitting some stories to My Weekly by email. All the advice says to address covering letters to the fiction editor by name but they seem to have a whole panel of editors at MW. Can you suggest how I should word my covering email please?
It is difficult if you don't know the fiction editor of a magazine but I believe their thinking is that you should take the time to find out. However, My Weekly don't name a particular editor, so I wouldn't worry too much about not addressing a named person. I'm sure they understand you won't be able to. You're right in that they have a panel of editors at My Weekly, but all new submissions should just be addressed to 'the editor'. Only when My Weekly accept a story from you will you be assigned a named editor, after which it will become easier.
My suggestion, when sending a story before you've had work accepted by them is to simply start your email or letter 'Dear Editor' (rather than Dear Sir/Madam).
This is how I write mine, and this goes for any publisher who don't name an editor:
Dear Editor
Please find attached/enclosed my short story (story title in italics and word length) which I hope you will find suitable for My Weekly. I am able to offer First British Serial Rights.
Yours
Sally Quilford
It's short and sweet and really all you need to let them know.
Womagwriter has plenty of information on her blog about sending work to womens' magazines.
Good luck!
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6 Comments - Thank you!:
This is almost word for word what I write (different name of course), so big sigh of relief!
I think most of us get hung up on what to put, Leigh until we've been doing this a while.
Years ago, I used to add my bio and say something like, 'I'm trying to be a writer'. I could cringe when I imagine what the response at the other end must have been.
I blush for you... and also for myself, when I think what rubbish I have sent out behind that covering letter!
Yes, that's pretty much what I wrote to MW before getting a named editor assigned to me (or am I assigned to her? :-/ )
Re a bio, remember MW are especially asking for a 30-word bio for their 'about the author' box, to be included with each submission. I think including it then, rather than waiting to be asked for it if the story's accepted, is good because it proves you've read their guidelines in detail!
Oh thanks, Womag. I assumed you had to wait to be accepted before giving a bio. It's something I'll bear in mind next time I submit something.
Sally, I'm so sorry not to have thanked you before but I've only just found this reply!! Am still finding my way round blogs I'm afraid.
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