I'm sure every writer has their way of gathering information before they write a query, but I figured I would share my way of doing it. Since I write from Jamaica, maybe this will help freelancers outside of countries like the US and Canada. I try to divide things by either researching my query idea, or looking for suitable markets. Here are the steps I take before I eventually craft and send a query:
Researching the idea
Once I've come up with an idea, I do some research. Usually I look through online newspaper archives. This research helps me figure out some questions I'll eventually want to ask an expert. Newspapers have the information I'll need and also include clues about experts. Newspaper articles don't always include contact information, but having an expert's name or the name of an organization to look up helps. Very rarely do I look through books for query research. I only look through books if an expert I'm looking is the author. I do this mainly to find contact information, or to learn more about the expert.
Make a list of suitable markets
Sometime during the querying stage, I figure out at least one magazine I plan to target. Once I have a solid query idea, I make a list of markets that would be ideal for the topic. I look for markets online, through Writer's Market, and through my freelance website e-mail subscriptions. Some freelance sites are helpful because they have lists of markets and I look through them occasionally for new markets.
Study markets
After I've made a list of markets to target, I study the magazines as much as I can. This is the most important step to me, because it reveals a lot about what editors - and eventually readers - want. I read guidelines very carefully. This is where Writer's Market obviously comes in handy again. I also make sure to read their guidelines on magazine websites. If there isn't guideline information, I send of an e-mail requesting info on guidelines. I usually get a quick response. I also make sure to study the magazine itself, and go through what has previously been published so I don't waste time sending an idea that's been covered. Studying articles helps me learn about the magazine's writing style, typical subjects editors like, and whether the magazine has many freelance writers. Once in a while during this process I come up with a new query ideas.
Contact experts for informationThe most helpful information I get during research comes from experts. After finding names and organizations from the sources I've used, I dig for more contact information. Typically, I try to find out if the expert has a website or has written a book. From there, I can almost always find an e-mail address or a phone number. I've also found that calling organizations has been super helpful. If I don't have any experts in mind, I'll call the relevant organization, and ask who they think it's best for me to speak to. In my experience people are always willing to help and either provide an e-mail address, phone number, or pass on a message to the right person.
I'm not sure how this works in other countries, but in Jamaica getting a hold of people, for whatever reason, can be challenging. People either take a long time to respond to an e-mail, or simply don't respond at all. The trick is to be politely persistent. Make as many phone calls, leave as many e-mail messages, and leave as many messages as you can. At first I wondered if this was a bit rude. Eventually I learned that as long as I'm polite, some experts actually find the persistence flattering. If I let them know that they're the only ones who can help me (and honestly, sometimes on a small island they really are) they realize just how important they are to writers like me.
For a query, I think one expert is enough. There's no need to ask tons of questions. Less than five questions seems very reasonable to me, and you'll be able to show the magazine editor that you have the ability to reach sources and get quotes.
What steps do you take to craft a good pitch?
