I was going to forgo the analysis and let you make of the queries what you will, but I think for the new writers among us, it might be beneficial to take a look at some of the things that made them work. Your opinions are very welcome, of course. If you disagree with something I say or have more to add, please do post your thoughts in the comments.

1. You’ll note, first and foremost, that there is no pattern to my querying. I write keeping in mind the needs of the story and my relationship with the editor. If it needs some explanation, like with the Gay Pride Parade, I let the editor know what I plan to do, and if not, I let the story tell itself, as in the c-sections piece.

2. I don’t always wait for the first piece to be published before pitching again. In fact, in one of the instances, I didn’t even wait for my first piece to be submitted. There is no rule for or against this. You have to feel out the editor and play it by ear. I should caution though, that this can be a fantastic way to get conned, if the publication fails to pay up. You don’t want to submit multiple pieces to an editor who doesn’t pay up (or on time), so do this sparingly and only with publications you’ve heard good things about.

3. In some of the queries, there are typos and (I cringe as I read) imperfect grammar. But I’ve left them in so that you can see that a couple of typos won’t make or break you if you’re only making them once in a while. Too many writers sit on pitches for days or weeks trying to perfect them, but it’s more important to get them out on time.

4. All these queries got assigned, not because the editors knew me or had to assign me something, but because they’re great ideas and/or I’m the only writer for them. The coffins story had to be assigned to me because of my location (it’s also a great offbeat story with a spiritual angle that worked perfectly for this publication), I had already covered the Gay Pride Parade (and taken a photographer with me, not leaving headache of finding pictures to supplement the story to the editor), the c-section story hadn’t been covered by international media before, and the lack of sex education story worked because I knew that this publication receives a lot of rural stories and rarely any urban ones (I checked out the archives) and I clearly knew what I was talking about.

Anything else I’ve missed? If you have any questions about any of the queries or the stories that followed, post them below.