I'm also going to post this topic on the Video Game Journos Network (videogamejournos.com) but I wanted to get a discussion going here as well; what are some practical tips you can share with your fellow writers? Seems to me that while we're all competing a bit it's more important that we help one another out so we can all achieve some measure of success. So here's how I envision this thread going down, you can ask some questions about things you want to know in order to help your career, but in return you must also post tips or answers to someone else's questions. Obviously, I'll start.

Does anyone out there have a template for a successful query?

What sites have you worked for that accept unsolicited queries from freelancers?

And now, some tips for dealing with PR people:

1. Be Friendly - Too often we treat PR like the enemy, the keepers of the secrets who spoil all our fun. Remember, these are people too and you catch more flies with honey.

2. Remember Details - Try and pull one little funfact out of your conversation with PR reps that you can use the next time you see them. For example, one of the folks I work with told me how much she hates E3, so when I contacted her about setting up appointments I playfully needled her about her disdain for the event. Remembering little things shows these folks you think of them as peers and not just a nameless source of free games.

3. Be Patient, but Persistent - You'll probably get blown off a few times working with PR members, but always remember to follow up with them if you don't hear back on something. Still, don't hound them every day over little things, that's the fast track to getting your email address forwarded to the spam folder.

4. Talk About Stuff Other Than Games - These people have interests outside of gaming, and hopefully so do you. Chatting about sports, music, movies, art or whatever else interests them will deepen the connection you have and make the relationship easier to maintain in the future. Remember, the more memorable you are (for the right reasons) the more likely you are to be included in future gaming-related events.

5. Be Friendly! - I know this was already mentioned but it's worth repeating. We've all got stressful jobs, and demanding you be treated like a king isn't going to help your standing with the PR crews. Have fun, be loose and always express genuine appreciation when they do something nice for you. PR folks have made enough enemies doing their job, they could use a few smiles here and there.

This is good stuff, thanks for sharing

Query letter tip: Write the opening graph of your query like it was the lede of your proposed piece (assuming your pitching a feature or column-like piece). Just like you want to immediately hook readers into reading your story beyond the first few sentences, you want to do the same thing with potential editors. Avoide cliche or gimmicky openings. Dazzle editors with tight, error-free writing that piques their interest to the point where they actually WANT to read your entire pitch and see what you have to offer as a writer. It takes far more effort for an editor to read and consider a proposal from a writer they've never worked with than it takes to delete your unsolicited e-mail from their overfilled inbox. Considering how busy most editors are throughout their day, make it worth their while to spend that few moments looking over your pitch by doing a good job.

Once you hook them with a killer opener, concisely provide a little more detail or enticing tidbits that elaborates on the subject and angle you intend to take (without necessarily coming right out and saying so). In another graph you can nail down the details of what you're proposing. Something to the effect of: "I propose an XXXX word piece on (subject) for (publication name)." In that same graph, throw in anything that would be helpful in showing them why you are the best person to tackle the proposed piece (previous experience you've had with subject, access to particular source, already completed some of interviews/legwork needed, already written a book about the subject, etc.).

Unless you know a publication prefers otherwise (or it's a huge pub that expects elaborate queries), keep pitches to a few graphs.

Certainly keep up with a PR person. As in, don't be afraid to be persistent as Brad and others have said.

Once or twice I've heard nothing from PR person after they've said they'll have a game to me around this date or set up a preview for this time and it turns out that they've left the company or been reassigned and in the process haven't updated the new guy with all their appointments.

If it's the day after they said they'll talk to you or send something out don't get uppity, but nearly a week later and you should definitely get in contact.