C&J 475 New Mexico Magazine Project (20% of grade)
  Ways in which the New Mexico Magazine Project grade will be calculated

 

To obtain credit for up to the full 20 percent of the project's grade, a student must complete the following:

  • A query e-mail must be sent to by Feb. 9, with a copy by e-mail to the instructor. If that is rejected, a second query letter must be e-mailed to Ashley Biggers by Feb. 23, also with a copy by e-mail to the instructor.
    • The article accepted by Ashley Biggers must be printed with copies of accompanying photos and submitted to the instructor by March 30.
    • If neither of at least two queries is accepted by Ashley Biggers, a magazine story of 250 words from a New Mexico Magazine category must be written and submitted to the instructor no later than March 30. The story to the instructor must include printouts of one or more photos taken by the student for the story. (Photos and articles cannot be e-mailed to the instructor.) Each story must include the category for which it is written and a word count. Stories significantly above or below 250 words will be penalized.
  • A portfolio is due March 30 containing a copy of every e-mail or other correspondence between the student and Ashley Biggers, submitted in reverse chronological order (the most recent communications on top) with the student's story and photos at the beginning of the portfolio. (If the student's story is written for the instructor, printouts of the photo(s) must be submitted with the instructor's copy of the article on March 30.)

Failure to meet any of the above deadlines, or submission of an incomplete portfolio, will result in a lowered grade. There is a grading bonus if your article is accepted for publication in New Mexico Magazine. (It is not possible to receive an A+ unless your article is accepted).

If you take the photos, Ashley will need them as a tiff images at 300 dpi resolution, in CMYK colors, and at least 5x7 in size.

The main reasons student queries are rejected are because they are not specific about what department in the magazine the article is intended for, because the article is unfocused (as a rule, you should zero in on one location or one angle), and because students do not follow the current contributor guidelines.

Before you submit a query letter, check the latest version of New Mexico Magazine's contributor guidelines. As of 2010, the magazine wants a headline, subhead, three-sentence synopsis of the story, a summary of your writing strengths, and an explanation of why you are the best writer for your article. Check to make sure the requirements have not changed since this posting.

SAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL QUERY LETTER BY 2010 STUDENT SEAN GARDNER:

Tips

headline and subhead

The Query

Dear Ms. Biggers:

Headline: Climbing up a fairytale
Subhead: Being spellbound to an Enchanted Tower

interesting hook, three-sentence synopsis of proposd article; establishment of writer's voice I would love to take readers on a fairytale journey in New Mexico Magazine highlighting rock climbing areas in Enchanted Tower. This fairytale does not involve Peter Pan climbing out of Neverland, Sleeping Beauty waking up, or the Ugly Duckling feeling good about himself. This magical story is about Enchanted Tower and is something that will have readers spellbound by the time I've finished telling them about it.
outline of article

I feel like I'm in fantasy land when I go climbing in New Mexico. With epic views like those from atop Enchanted Tower, you will feel lost amid its beauty and experience the thrill of finding out whether you can climb something so challenging.

This great tower also has a nearby neighbor Ñ Pogue's Cave Ñ where climbers can climb upside down. So, let me take readers to places called Sleeping Beauty, Ugly Duckling or Captain Hook. Who wouldn't want to climb a route called the Big Good Wolf?

listing of category that the article will be written for; explanation and detail New Mexico Magazine provides its readers with views of the state's amazing landscapes, unique culture and matchless experiences. This story would go well in the Good Life section of Going Places, and it would cater to nonclimbers who are interested in fresh views of the great New Mexico outdoors. Online readers can marvel at the adventure.
writer qualifications; why the writer would be the best person to write the article My qualifications for writing this article are that, having climbed most of what New Mexico has to offer within the past five years, I consider myself a knowledgeable source on the state's outdoor activities and climbs. I work as a designer for UNM's Daily Lobo newspaper. I've written articles for the newspaper in addition to my design assignment. Plus, I work at REI, an outdoor gear and inspiration retail store. Upon graduating from college, I will attend the National Outdoor Leadership School. My photography skills will bring necessary light to my story.
the fact that you are enrolled in this class I am a student in Dennis Herrick's advanced multimedia journalism class.
when you can complete the submission This article with photos could be completed within three weeks of acceptance.
contact information

You can reach me by e-mail at _______ or by phone at _________. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to heaing from you.

(Your name)