MAGAZINE WRITERS WANTED – BY W. TERRY WHALIN

As a long-time writer for magazines and a former magazine editor, there are some basic truths about publishing in magazines. Through writing for magazines, you can build publishing credentials and make a valuable contribution to the publishing world and help many people. If you’ve never been published or rarely published, to enter the print magazine world can be scary. It doesn’t have to be frightening if you learn some straightforward truths.

First, there are hundreds of print publications. The 2017 Christian Writer’s Market Guide lists over 200 magazines with details about their address, audience, what the editor needs and how to submit and what they pay. Every editor begins each issue with a completely blank issue—and fills it with articles for their target audience. Some publications are mostly staff written while others are filled with writing from freelance writers. Each publication is distinct with their focus, their audience and their frequency of publication. Some magazines are quarterly (four times a year) while others are weekly. The greater the frequency of the publication, there is more opportunity for freelance writers. The editor of a weekly publication has great needs. Also every magazine has a different internal schedule of how they work. Some magazines are working six to eight months in advance while others are only working six to eight weeks in advance.

The editor and staff of the publication are the gatekeepers. Each of these professionals is actively looking for writers (whether they say so or not) who will understand their readers and write appropriate material. Admittedly the definition of “appropriate” is subjective. Here’s another truth: You can’t get published in a magazine unless you are submitting your material.

Some editors want to read query letters (a one-page pitch from the writer) while other publications are reading complete articles. As a writer, you need to read the guidelines (and the publications) to know what the editor is seeking. Often you can find this information online or write for their submission guidelines.

While there are many possible publications, let me close with one example—Upper Room. Every day millions of people (no exaggeration) in over 100 countries read these 250 to 300 word devotions. Upper Room has a specific format and expectation for these devotions. You may have to write a number of them before you hit on their formula. For example, at conferences, I’ve heard the Upper Room editors say they are looking for devotions from the Old Testament since many of the ones they receive are from the New Testament. Also they need more men writers since many of their submissions are from women. These guidelines do not mean there is no opportunity if you are a women writing about a New Testament passage. The key is to give the editor what they need. It will involve reading the guidelines, studying the publication then writing what the editor wants. Yes following the basic guidelines and continually writing for a target market, can get you published.

Editors are looking for magazine writers. Will you be one of them? I hope you will seize the publishing opportunity.

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Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor, Whalin has written for more than 50 publications including Christianity Today and Writer’s Digest. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. His latest book is Billy Graham, A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist and the book website is at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com Watch the short book trailer for Billy Graham at: http://bit.ly/BillyGrahamBT His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Follow him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/terrywhalin