Now that Fringe has put a call letter out for Features, the pitch letters have been rolling in. It seems not everyone knows how to write a letter pitching a feature story or interview, so I thought I’d provide some handy tips that cover what Fringe looks for.

Do:

• Tell us what type of story you’re pitching. Is it a review? An interview? A feature?
• Spend a paragraph describing your topic, that includes a reason why you think it would be of interest to Fringe readers. This is the place to show that you’ve been to more of our site than just our guidelines page. Are you interviewing a first-time author published by a small press? Writing a feature on avant-garde poetry? Reviewing a small-press book that explores the intersections between literature and politics?
• Explain who you are and explain any relevant credentials you have. Are you a published freelancer? A first-time writer?
• Send the piece as an attachment if you’ve already written it. If you haven’t, send online clips of your writing, if you have ‘em.
• Write two to five paragraphs, but no more than a single typewritten page.

Don’t:

• Address the letter to a “sir.” The vast majority of us here at Fringe aren’t sirs, so it makes you look bad. Try “Dear Editor.”
• Tell us you have several pieces that might be of interest and ask us to email you. We’re overwhelmed with email, so we won’t. Instead, tell us about one piece and explain why we’d be interested.
• Pitch us things that are unrelated to writing, publishing, or the intersection of the arts and politics and/or technology.
• Forget to write a cover letter.
• Follow these tips and you’ll get a response in no time. Send pitches to FringeTheMagazine@gmail.com.