Comments on: How Should Editors Respond?

By: Lisa Cunningham

Lisa Cunningham — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:56:48 +0000

Anne, that's great advice. I'll try that the next time I get a celebrity interview. The trick is getting past the gatekeepers; finding the right editors can be done with pipl and similar search sites. Lisa Cunningham’s last blog post..Should Daniel be forced to do chemotherapy?

By: Anne

Anne — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:53:45 +0000

I suppose the real key would have been to have already had several editors who would take your phone call. I know, not easy to do. I suspect even without those contacts if I had an interview like that I would start with phone queries. And knowing I’d get receptionists and other gate keepers I’d probably say something like “Hi, I’ve got a great interview with Terry Bradshaw. Which editor there would be most interested?” Yeah, I wouldn’t even give my name until someone asked, but keep focusing on the famous name. Just a thought

By: Lisa Cunningham

Lisa Cunningham — Sat, 30 May 2009 00:00:20 +0000

I totally agree with Scott. Once I had a wonderful interview with Terry Bradshaw and his depression. I mailed out 10 pre-paid postcards with the query letter, asking editors to simply check a box or two. I only received one back ... from Parade magazine! They were doing a round-up on depression and used Bradshaw on the cover, but only used a few paragraphs from him. Often, I wonder if I just gave a great story idea away for free. I don't think Parade took my idea, but it's unprofessional and rude not to at least send a form rejection letter or e-mail. I do multiple pitches and see who bites first. I'm not going to wait weeks and months for a response that probably won't come. Lisa Cunningham’s last blog post..Should Daniel be forced to do chemotherapy?

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By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:13:11 +0000

When I freelanced in the 1980s, queries and submissions, yes or no, always got a timely response by snail mail. When I returned to freelancing about three years ago, I thought email would make communication a snap. But I find that even though email takes only a fraction of the time to respond, this courtesy has almost completely disappeared, even from editors with whom I have recently worked. As far as phoning, I usually get a voice mail box that also remains unanswered. It’s really turned me off the whole business.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:46:03 +0000

I’d forgotten you have to pay Media Bistro for access to those posts. I suspect what’s actually needed is larger staffs at publishers so some assistant can send replies. That’s not going to happen soon. You do deserve some acknowledgement – on that we agree. How to get it is another subject. I don’t think this is a battle you can win. Once you’re well known to the magazine you will get acknowledgement, until then not likely. I wish it were different. It’s not a battle I choose to worry to much about.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:41:17 +0000

I don’t think you have to apologize for multiple submissions as all. Go for it.

By: Bev Walton-Porter

Bev Walton-Porter — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:28:34 +0000

Sorry, but I’m going to multiple submit. I have a product and I can’t wait for months on end to receive an answer — if ever. I simply won’t stand around waiting while a query or submission circulates in a big, black hole where there is no certainty of an answer. If, by happenstance, I receive two offers, then I’ll choose the best one. Publications are in business, and so am I.

As an editor of an e-zine myself, it’s MY responsibility to respond to queries and submissions; then again, I have no rules against multiple submissions. The world doesn’t revolve around me and my publication, after all.

Writers have work to do and must get on with the program, and if I don’t answer them timely enough for their liking, they have every right to submit elsewhere. After all, I’m an editor, but I’m a writer first and foremost. Obviously I side with the latter more than the former. It’s unfair to leave writers hanging when they can find a receptive market elsewhere.

By: Scott Rose

Scott Rose — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:34:57 +0000

The editor of the specific publication under discussion in my guest post had participated in an interview for a “How to Pitch” article on the MediaBistro site.

I pay money to have access to those articles.

The editor enjoys an economic benefit from having MediaBistro’s AvantGuild members sending in article ideas in conformity with the contents of the “How to Pitch” interviews.

I deserved some acknowledgment of receipt, even if only a form rejection letter or e-mail. An editor that doesn’t want to exercise that basic courtesy towards a professional writer querying her should not be given the platform of a paid subscription “How to Pitch” service. I suppose in a way my beef is as much with MediaBistro as with anyone. They should let the editors benefiting from their site know that there are minimum standards of courtesy they expect fulfilled towards their paid members.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:26:17 +0000

Thanks so much for this post and the discussion. I'm still somewhat new at freelancing, and it's been frustrating to send pitches into the "big black hole," only to rarely hear back on them. I'm right there with Scott, but I really appreciate Trace and Anne chiming in to offer another perspective, which means having some patience, a strategy, and a good tracking system so that your work keeps circulating and hopefully gets accepted. Not to say that that's not still frustrating either, but it makes me want to dig in a little more and keep working at it until I do build those relationships with editors and pitches are noticed more quickly. Jill’s last blog post..A Little More From the Restaurant Show