Meryl's Notes Blog

I’ve been reading TV Guide long before I graduated high school. I’m not obsessed with TV, but I love the insider stories covered in the magazine. I also like its summaries of upcoming episodes since the guide that comes with the newspaper only provides summaries for a few shows.

I never thought about writing for magazines like TV Guide, People and Entertainment Weekly because I’m a realist. It’d be cool, yes, but it’s a competitive area with almost zero chances of breaking in. Plus, I don’t want to live in New York or California and like it right here in Texas. I love New York and enjoyed my couple of visits to California (except the one with carbon monoxide poisoning), but they’re not the kind of places I want to live and raise my family.

Writer’s Digest has a great article describing what it’s like writing for an entertainment magazine. Writers for entertainment magazines don’t get to schmooze with celebrities as much as we might think.

I don’t try to write for magazines because queries take time and energy. I admire those with successful careers in magazine writing. I’ll stick with Sandhills’ family of magazines where I regularly write for PC Today and am currently working on a review for Smart Computing. Besides, I like variety and enjoy working with businesses on their content and newsletters.

Those interested in writing for magazines will want a copy of the writer’s essential resource, Writer’s Market 2007.