St. Louis Reflections, an anthology by members of the St. Louis Writers Guild, contains an essay by me called “An Intimate Acquaintance.” To read more about this wonderful book of St. Louis stories see http://eliot.stlwritersguild.org/wordpress/ or www.thewriterslens.com Thanks to Brad R. Cook, President of the SLWG, for all his work on the project and to Mary Menke who edited the book. An anthology book signing event will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 6 North Cafe – 14438 Clayton Rd. in Ballwin from 10am-Noon. Come meet the contributors!

For example, this week I went with my family to the Faye Inn, a tavern in Fayetteville, Illinois. The smell of beer wafts over me as I step inside onto the worn wooden floor. Two long tables hold an already anxious crowd of mostly seniors, and a younger pack clusters at the bar, their elbows propped, hands gripping their longnecks. My family claims the last vacant table while dad and I unpack our instruments and set up in the corner under the muted, flat-screen TV.

Soon, dad and I are joined by the other Tuesday-night musicians and the jam session is underway. Twelve-string and six-string guitars, an accordion, a fiddle, and two banjos rouse the crowd. The microphone passes from musician to musician, each choosing his or her favorite song to sing with the throw-together band accompanying. Even audience members play along on spoons and a tambourine.

I don’t know many of the bluegrass songs the band plays, but I follow along on my guitar. Dad, playing his banjo, and I play country tunes when our turns come around. I get a big round of applause for playing “Ya’ll Come Back Saloon,” and Dad, age eighty-four, gets accolades for “Make the World Go Away.”

The evening passes quickly, my guilt about not writing drowned out by the music. Putting fun into my writing week was a boost to my spirit, might even make me a Tuesday-night musician at the “Ya’ll Come Back Saloon.” While I was forgetting about writing, Mom worked the crowd and sold two of my books. Focus and opportunity are always at hand.

Thanks for purchasing a book(s).  I hope you enjoy reading it and will tell your friends and family about it so they too might buy a copy.  I would be ever so grateful if you would write a review of the book on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Living-Skin-Even-Its-Purple/dp/0741467488/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318097024&sr=1-1

and/or Buy Books on the Web http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-6748-8

You don’t need to be a writer to put down your thoughts about the book.

I hope that Living in My Skin, Even if it’s Purple, my story of courage, will inspire self-acceptance in those who have a less than perfect image and will serve as a stimulus to others to move beyond differences.

Thanks!

This year I got an email about the next contest, same guidelines.  I was a little ticked with what happened last year, so I replied to the email, calling the contest a “rip off,” which in my humble opinion it was because there was no explanation for not awarding a third place prize.  Finally, my writing got the attention of the contest host, who sent me an email, asking, “What have you done with your life?  Who are you?  What have you accomplished?  What are your credits?  How have you helped anyone in your life?”  The host had no answer for the non awarded prize but informed me I didn’t have to answer the questions because the answers were known.  “No one and nothing.”  

So, I will drag my poor pathetic life to a dark and dingy hovel, lick my wounds, and consider the results of calling someone who hosts a humor contest “not funny.”

As you conclude your query letter, state what you want the editor to do:

• Thank you for considering my query.
• I look forward to working with you.
• May I send you a few of my writing clips to help you make your decision?
• May I send you the article for review?  (If you have already written it.)

Finally, thank the editor for her time and indicate that you are eager to hear from her.  If this is an exclusive query, advise the editor and disclose how long you are willing to wait for her response before querying another publication. 

Use a short complimentary closing—sincerely, respectfully, yours truly.  Skip two lines and type your full name, then sign below it.

If your letter goes longer than one page, narrow your side margins to an inch or reduce the header and footer margins.  Don’t be tempted to reduce the font size; stick with a 12-point font for readability (except in the contact information in the header).   

Do your homework—know the publication intimately, its readership, and the editor’s name and preferences.  Keep your letter concise and professional, and you will attract assignments.

In one or two paragraphs, detail the title and length of the proposed article.  Note the structure you’ll use—bullet points, narrative, anecdotal—to express your ideas.  Be certain to list a fact or two, if necessary, to corroborate your ideas, and reveal sources you’d interview for the article.  Mentioning flexibility on word count to suit the editor’s needs might help land the assignment.        

You want to reveal in your query enough information about your article to whet the editor’s appetite for more.  Don’t feel obligated to disclose every detail.  Hopefully, your brief, well-written query will tempt the editor to ask for more information or to offer you an assignment.  Treat the query like a job interview by maintaining a professional approach, and editors will perceive you as one who tends his work with care.  That will help you secure assignments.

 Next up: Summing up