How to write a feature article that sells fast!

If you're a freelance writer, or just want to be one, you know you've got to start somewhere. Sure, you'd love to land a piece in a nationally, or internationally, circulated publication. It usually takes some time to establish yourself as a writer who delivers the goods, on time. Start small and work your way up. You know that if you write a feature article that's published in a national magazine, your magazine writing future is virtually assured. So, how do you go about landing that contract? At what point in your career should you pitch a feature article? Must you have several clips under your belt before making this bold move?

Let's take a look at what magazine editors snap up when they peruse the pile of queries and submissions which land on their desk each day. A good feature article can sell tens of thousands of magazines at the supermarket racks. Here are the ground rules on how to write a feature article that catches that editor's eye.

First, you must understand that most magazines plan their issues at least nine months ahead of publication. So if you're submitting a query in March, you'll be targeting a December issue, so you'll want to write a feature article suited to that month or season.

Second in importance is researching past issues of the particular publication you want to target. Food is your thing. Go through the archives of the publication to see what they've featured in past years, writing style

Now for the pitch. Let's say you want to write a feature article for a foodie magazine. In March, you need to think December holiday festivities and all that encompasses. Decorating cookies with the kids. Making home made eggnog. How to cook a goose. Entertaining.

However, to catch the attention of the editor, you need to have an unusual slant. Do you have an old Irish neighbor who makes his home made eggnog every year, distributing his cheer to one and all? This can form the backbone for you to write a feature article, which has that down home flavor of the individual, an old guy who keeps the family tradition and little secrets you won't find in a commercial eggnog from the supermarket. So what do you add to the mix? That human factor. Use your interviewing skills to draw him out. Spend a little time and you'll probably learn a secret or two about making the best eggnog, in the old world style.

This is what an editor looks for an off-the-beaten-track take on a much belabored, but perennially favorite topic. There's no question that food magazine readers want to know how they can make the holidays memorable. If you write a feature article which not only answers their question on how to make eggnog, but makes the tradition come alive, in a sophisticated, slice-of-life piece, you and the editor have a winner.

As for when you might be ready to write a feature article: you don't need clips, if your quality of writing speaks for itself. You really have nothing to lose, except your time. Besides, you can always submit to other publications. Just stick to the submission guidelines and you'll be fine.

Magazine editors want a feature article that they can summarize on the front page, making that issue fly off the shelves. 'Authentic eggnog: a recipe from an Old World artisan that you can make yourself!' Sure, I'll read that feature article.

Perhaps the most important point to remember when you write a feature article is that you need to inspire and motivate your reader to know what you know and to convince an editor of the same! What are you waiting for?