Have you ever read a parenting article and thought, “I could write that!” If you have, then this post is for you.
My friends/colleagues/fellow writers Jeannette Moninger, Kris Bordessa and Teri Cettina, have written an e-book called “Cash In On Your Kids: Parenting Queries That Worked.” Between them, these gals have written for magazines like Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Reader’s Digest, Family Circle and Family Fun, just to name a few, so they definitely know what they’re talking about.
Their book not only has 16 queries that landed them assignments, it also answers questions about getting into freelancing and creating a query letter. For a limited time, they’ve slashed the price by half, to $14.95. You can order it for download here.
They have also generously answered some common questions about freelance writing:
Is parenting writing something I can do part time or on a flexible schedule?
Absolutely! However, when you need to do an uninterrupted telephone interview or a deadline is looming, it’s smart to have a back-up plan: A neighborhood babysitter, a supportive fellow mom, or a drop-in after-school program that will watch your kids while you work.
Can I write about my own kid or my personal parenting experience?
Often, yes. But first study the magazine you’re pitching to see whether they use first-person anecdotes in their stories (i.e., “When my child was 2, he shoved a penny up his nose…”). If they don’t structure stories that way, craft your pitch accordingly. And remember: Even if you write about your family’s experience, you’ll still need to provide research and/or advice from experts.
Do I need to be a professional writer to break into writing about parenting and kids?
Not necessarily. However, before you write for national newsstand magazines, you must have “clips,” or samples of other articles you’ve had published. Weekly or monthly community newspapers are often open to new writers, as are regional parenting publications.
What should I send an editor: A completed article or just a proposal?
Most editors want to see a proposal (a “query”) before they decide whether to assign an article to you. The exception is an essay–a first-person account of an event, without interviews or quotes from experts. Editors prefer to see completed essays before they decide whether they’ll publish them.
How do I learn more about publications that run parenting articles?
Start with The Writer’s Market (www.writersmarket.com). You can pay a monthly fee for the online version, or see if your library carries the book. Cash in on Your Kids: Parenting Queries that Worked (http://cashinonyourkids.wordpress.com/) also lists American publications that accept parenting articles, along with e-mail codes for reaching editors.
How much can I make writing about parenting and kids?
Local parenting publications pay less than national magazines but writing for them is a great way to develop a portfolio of your work. These “clips,” as they’re called, are crucial if you want to break into larger, better-paying magazines. National magazines—like Parents and Parenting—pay anywhere from $250 for a short item in the front or back of the magazine to more than $3,000 for longer features.
For more tips on writing for parenting publications, along with samples of actual writers’ queries, read Cash in on Your Kids: Parenting Queries that Worked (http://cashinonyourkids.wordpress.com/)
© 2009 Kris Bordessa, Teri Cettina, Jeannette Moninger
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