Nov. 4: Slanting Your Work

In today's reading the author, Fred White, is talking about writing for magazines. He gives some good suggestions for determining the "slant" of the magazine. He also reminds writers that magazine editors tell prospective authors to study the magazine before submitting something to better insure that it will be material the magazine will want to publish. Rememeber magazines are gear towards a particular audience. Also if you belong to professional associations that publish magazines or journals checkout their guidelines for submission throughly before submitting. White suggests that you throughly examine two editions of the magazine(s) you want to submit article(s) too. Then re-read/rewrite your material in line with what you have determined is the material and style the magazine is looking for.
In "For Further Reflection" White states that in writing for magazine(s) "Success depends on whether the periodical in question succeeds in offering subscribers what they look forward to reading from one issue to the next." In other words remember our ultimate audience is not the editor(s) of the magazine but the individuals who read that magazine. If you can not provide that type of material then don't waste your time or the editors time submitting something that they can not use (my advice not his).
Today's "Try This" assignment:
Before sending a story or article to a magazine you hope to publish your work, study at least two issues of that magazine throughly. First, read every selection, even it that selection represents a genre you don't write in. The reason is that fiction and articles overlap in terms of the subject matter and tone. The, write or revise the manuscript and submit it.
I have the submission guidelines for several professional journals/magazine and plan on submitting a professional paper soon. I also have guidelines for devotionals to a couple of on-line devotional websites that I enjoy readings and have in fact submitted devotionals to them.