Pitching to Magazines by Wendy H. Jones

As well as being an author, writing coach and podcaster, I am also the Editor in Chief of Writers' Narrative Magazine; the image of the April issue is above. This is a free online magazine for writers, as the name would suggest. Each month there is a theme for the month, however, it also contains articles other than the theme each month. We also interview one writer, editor, agent, or publisher each month. Whilst there are a core of writers, everyone is free to pitch an article to the Editor in Chief and we would welcome you. We would ask that you read the guidelines first. Following the guidelines is extremely important when pitching or sending articles to magazines. It demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. Your pitch is then more likely to get noticed. Getting noticed is the first step in the process. 

If you would like to pitch to Writers' Narrative, scroll down the site to the following image and click on the relevant button. 

Writers Narrative Website

Of course, it is useful to know what the monthly themes are. You can find them in the image below 

Taking note of the themes and writing to market can also get your pitch or article in front of the right person. As does taking a unique approach or twist. If the Editor in Chief gets 20 articles all similar and yours is unique, which do you think they re going to focus on first. Also, stating your credentials for this particular article can make the commissioning editor more kindly disposed to your pitch. For example, I am not known for my poetry. However, I do write children's picture books in rhyme. I could take the approach of writing rhyming verse for children. My credentials are obvious from the books I write. 

Now, to get to the question you are all asking. Does the magazine pay? In the case of Writers' Narrative, the answer is no. This is not because I want to rip off authors, editors, agents or publishers, it is because this is a free magazine and I am paying all the costs out of my own pocket. I appreciate the old argument of exposure does not pay the bills. It doesn't pay mine either. However, I do it to support other writers because I genuinely care about helping others. It does have an ISSN number, so you can add the articles to your ALCS account and you would be supporting your fellow writers. Most importantly, you would be adding to the discourse around writing and that, I feel, is worth a lot. You are also demonstrating your professionalism and dedication to the craft. It enhances your CV and fives you greater credentials. 

I would very much like to hear from you with any ideas you would like to pitch. Let me know in the comments if you are sending me an email. I look forward to hearing from you. 

You can also subscribe to the magazine via the above link. 

About the Author

Wendy H Jones is the multi award-winning, Amazon #1 international best-selling author of the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. Her Young Adult Mystery, The Dagger’s Curse was a finalist in the Woman Alive Readers' Choice Award. Non-Fiction Matters the fourth book in her Writing Matters Series won the prestigious Dorothy Dunbar Cup from the Scottish Association of Writers. She is also the retired President of the Scottish Association of Writers, an international public speaker, and runs conferences and workshops on writing, motivation and marketing.  She is the Editor in Chief of Writers' Narrative a new magazine for writers.  She is also a partner in Auscot Publishing and Retreats an international publishing and writing retreat organisation. Wendy is represented by Amy Collins of Talcott Notch Literary Services. 

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