You’ve written a fantastic article – or at least the outline of a fantastic article.  It is often best to hold off writing the actual article until you’ve found a publisher so you can slant the article the way the publisher desires. But you’ve done your research, have a solid premise and a killer topic. Now you’re ready to query some publications and find your article a home. Here are some things you do NOT want to do:

Things to Avoid In a Query

1. Not knowing what the publication is looking for. Just because a publication came up in a keyword search for your topic does not mean they are interested in that topic. A magazine called The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is probably not going to be looking for a restaurant review. Take the time to look at the periodical’s submissions page to see what they want, how they want it, and to whom to send it.
2. Don’t send it to the wrong person. Unless the periodical is very small, they will have several editors over various topics, or in charge of various levels. If you’ve never written for them before you will need to find out who should receive your query. Do NOT send it to a general address or the Editor In Chief and ask them to forward to the proper contact.
3. Don’t include irrelevant details. A query is brief. You lay out what your article accomplishes, and a little about you as the author. No more. You don’t need to talk about your dogs, unless they are the focus of the article.
4. Don’t use frooffy fonts or stationery. Even if you are addressing a literary journal, do not try to be “literary” by using frilly fonts, backgrounds, or “stationary”. You are conducting a business communication, be businesslike.
5. Don’t make a sales pitch. Do not try to tell the publisher how much they need your piece of work, how popular it will be, or how much money it will make for them. First off, you don’t know any of that! Right now you want to get them to say, “yes, we’re interested”. Do not go all carney barker on them.
6. Don’t hype your piece or yourself. Unless you are a famous author or journalist, all you need to do now it to tell the editor what you are offering and a little bit about why you are qualified to write it. If you’re an unknown, yammering about how successful you are won’t help.  If you ARE famous, they’ll know it.
7. Don’t get egotistical. Arrogance is offensive. Stuff your pride in a drawer and write from the perspective of someone seeking to win the attention of someone who can help you.
8. Don’t include personal details. Unless they ask for it (because it’s relevant to their publications topic) do not include personal details like your age, race, marital status, political preference, or religion.
9. Don’t include a photo or biography. If they like your query and want to know more about you, they will ask.  Keep it simple for now. Do not attach a promo shot of yourself or your autobiography — unless instructed to do so in the submission guidelines.
10. Don’t use an annoying email account. Even if you are a starving artist, set-up an e-mail account that does not put advertisements into your e-mails or redirect the reader to some web page upon closing your e-mail. Again, if you want to be a professional writer, be professional.

Avoid these mistakes when you query and you will increase the chances that the publisher will pursue your query.