How to Find Magazine Editors' Emails

Laptop with its cord shaped into a kite, representing sending an email to an editor.

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Writing involves much more than sitting down at your laptop and tapping out sterling words. You won't make a living doing what you love unless someone buys those words. Writers entering the profession quickly learn that success not only involves grabbing an idea but writing a pitch letter, then targeting a magazine.

Targeting is easy, but getting through to someone who has the authority to buy your work can be a bit more difficult, even in this age of technology.

Wouldn't it be great if you could just lay your hands on the email addresses of the editors? It's possible, but you'll have to do a little searching.

Writer's Market 

One good source is the Writers Market. In fact, this publication is a good investment for a writer for a lot of reasons. Why limit your writing to magazines? Do you have a book idea? Are you considering looking for an agent? How about entering a contest? An award would ramp up your prestige and image. This publication is invaluable when it comes to offering writers opportunities and, yes, contact information for each opportunity.

Consider double-checking against the online version of Writers Market for up-to-date email addresses. It's a subscription-based service but it's reasonable, particularly when you consider everything you get in return. 

Magazine Websites 

Another potential resource is the website of your targeted magazine. Look for a writers' page or a submissions page. Lacking that, take a look at the contact pages or the staff listing. If you can get an email for the publication itself, you can enter the editor's name in caps in the subject line and hope for the best. Check out the masthead of the actual magazine; sometimes, contact info is included. 

Do an Online Search 

This is the age of the Internet. Go online and search for the magazine's name along with the word "submissions." With any luck, a page will kick up with contact information, but that page might not be exactly what you're looking for. It may just give general contact information without a direct link to the editor you want to contact.

Other Options

Who doesn't use social media these days? Find out if the magazine you're interested in has a social media presence. If it does, take some time to see who from the company posts there. It's probably not the editor, but someone in the employ of the company is doing it. Try reaching out to them for further contact information for the editor you're looking for. 

In a pinch, you can always do this the good, old-fashioned way. Pick up the telephone and call. Although it's highly unlikely your call will promptly be put through to the editor in question, you can ask, "How can I get in touch with Sue Editor? Does she have an email address?"