Querying SI

Anyone have any advice and/or a contact name for submitting a freelance query to SI?

 

Well, not to be cynical, but good luck.

It would have to be some kind of spectacular, unbelievable piece to get SI's attention. They do that work themselves.

 

SI very, very rarely uses freelancers, and never runs unsolicited freelance pieces that I'm aware of.

 

Write a book, then query SI. They seem to be running an awful lot of book excerpts lately (Michael Lewis' piece on left tackles in the new issue, the Unitas piece a few weeks ago ...).

Seriously, I have nothing for you, but write a book.

 

I'd make a few copies and send it to several people, not just one. Look at the staff list and pick out five or six people...but not the whole staff.

What do you have to lose? It's not like Michael Silver is going to tell Deuce McAlister to run over you in his car. Worst case scenario is you never hear back. Best case? Well, sky's the limit, my man.

I think I read somewhere that Steve Rushin got his foot in the door with a submitted freelance story.

 

hit up richard demak. he’ll actually respond. good luck.

 

From the 2004 (the latest edition I have) Writer's Market:

E-mail: story_queries@simail.com

 

Why send a query letter? You're hired!

 

DOH!!!!! We let that one slip right by us!

Well done, Claws.