By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

As a new writer I submitted an article about one of my fondest Christmas memories. A few magazines liked it, but I submitted it too late.

The article evoked emotion, solved a problem, and captured the essence of Christmas. The publications did not tell me when to resend. I gave up.

So, when do we submit holiday articles?

Magazines desire holiday-themed articles. But if you pitch your idea too late,  your fabulous article won’t be published. Here’s what you need to know when querying editors.

Each magazine works on a different schedule. Some plan the entire year in January, while others plan three months in advance. Always check the website or resources like the Writer’s Market, or Christian Writers Market Guide. They list most magazines and include the length of time between submission acceptance and printed date.

Query a month or two before the given date to give the editors time to consider your idea. 

When in doubt, submit your idea when you’ve perfected your query letter. It’s better to be too early than too late, and always read submission guidelines.

Here are a few articles on the query letter.

https://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2012/08/learn-how-to-earn-living-as-freelance_21.html

https://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2015/03/taking-question-out-of-query-letters.html

Whether you have an idea for creating Christmas magic, an Independence Day firecracker article, or a Resurrection Day memory, write it down now.

Here are a few tips to create and submit future articles.

• Keep a calendar of ALL holidays. A great place to find even the obscure—National Today https://nationaltoday.com/
• Note the date queries need to be submitted and mark it on your calendar a few weeks in advance to give time to create a poignant query.
• Write ideas for each celebration and keep them in a folder. 
• Write during the holiday. Use your five senses. 

This season has many celebrations. Start writing. If you are inspired while away from your desk, text the idea to yourself or use an app on your phone to capture the essence of your experience.

Have a great holiday season. I’m off to check some submission guideline to resubmit my Christmas article for next year! 

Have you written a holiday article? When did you query or send in your article?

Join the Conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest. Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.