The Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock: The Freelance Writer's Guide to Selling More Work Faster

by Linda Formichelli, Diana Burrell

This convention-defying follow-up to The Renegade Writer ensures that freelance journalists get the assignments they want more quickly and for better pay with the right query letter. Successful freelancers and the editors that buy their work share their advice on pitching the perfect story with real examples that earned great assignments from major magazines. Fresh, spunky, and fun to read, this handbook favors a proven renegade approach that gets freelancers more work for more money in less time and with less stress.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Linda Formichelli is a freelance writer in Los Angeles. She spent 25 years writing for top publications and brands, from Good Housekeeping and Inc. magazines to Best Buy and Intel. She's also the author or coauthor of a dozen books, including the classic The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success.

Reviews

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book but aimed more for freelance magazine writers. I was hoping to learn more about querying fiction or picture book manuscripts. It did list some good ideas on how to find editor's names and how to structure a query. Also listed some examples for those who are visual.

[Lozza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this and learned a lot of great tips.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, I just need a good kick-in-the-pants to get me thinking about freelancing, whether from an online course or an e-book. This book did it, and got me on a motivational, querying streak all weekend long. Although some of the commentary by query writers and editors was contradictory -- Use a quote in your query! Don't use a quote! Research tons in advance! Just throw something out there! -- I think I picked up a lot of general tips to get me moving in the right direction and, most importantly, see ACTUAL EXAMPLES of query letters that landed assignments and ACTUAL FEEDBACK from editors explaining their thinking on each one. That's probably one of the least covered topics when learning about freelancing (and I have a degree in journalism) and one of the most valuable, so, for under $3, I think this e-book was certainly worth it -- although in hindsight I might have preferred a paperback version so I could highlight and return to it for easy reference. (Kindle highlighting just isn't the same.)

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great resource for freelance writers looking to improve their first and foremost attack: the query letter. This book gives hundreds of tips, dispels countless myths and provides plenty of examples of quality query letters, making it a great reference.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was looking for inspiration as I jump back into freelancing to make some extra cash. Query Letters That Rock contain just that, with some worthwhile FAQs to start you out.

While some of the book is dated, with long-gone markets, but the advice is timeless.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm interested in freelancing, and queries scare the crap out of me. This book made the subject seem less frightening. As for the follow-through...well, I'm working on it.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goods tips but aimed at american market but will translate to UK

[Writertunities · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward guidance on strengthening each element of a query letter. The humorous slant is a bonus!

[Donna Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a useful book for people starting out. I had already taken a class in query letters and was looking for a book for a friend. This one is very helpful with examples to follow.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives me hope that one e day I can make great pitches.

[Nichelle]

Got to try some of these out.