Comments for write you are...

Comment on Editors: stop assuming they’re out to get you by writeyouare

writeyouare — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:07:46 +0000

Great piece. And thanks! I have neglected this somewhat. It is an example of how not to run a blog.

Comment on Editors: stop assuming they’re out to get you by Linda

Linda — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:23:18 +0000

Hello – wanted to let you know I have a piece on this very subject out in Writing magazine this month, I agree with you wholeheartedly, that said, my first editor was a total *******.

I’ve put the piece online here:

http://tinyurl.com/9j832v

Would be lovely to see you blogging more – you have a real knack for succinct and worthwhile advice.

Comment on Editors: stop assuming they’re out to get you by emmawinchesteruk

emmawinchesteruk — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Brill piece Anne, just sent it to a friend of mine who takes it personally. The “also…” bit at the end made me laugh

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by writeyouare

writeyouare — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:52:12 +0000

It could just be that the eds you’re pitching happen not to be open to new writers, or the style – it’s odd because with these things you can’t really ask for feedback on why your pitch was rejected or ignored. Some eds take the time to do this but if you asked I suppose it would be a little like a door to door salesman demanding to know what they should have done differently next time…

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by monica

monica — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:52:23 +0000

US or UK, I probably wouldn’t bother pitching if I had to snail mail it. Though one thing I’ve been wondering lately is if there are different pitching styles… I’m from the US living in London and have had much more success pitching to US pubs vs UK. Not sure if it’s the market or my pitching style. Regardless, I’d rather be making GBP so I hope to sort that one out soon. =)

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by writeyouare

writeyouare — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:26:37 +0000

I think that’s true. Personally I only ever phone editors I know very well to pitch by phone because it’s not easy selling yourself cold and also because, when I worked on staff, I hated people phoning me to pitch ideas and much preferred email.

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by Diana Burrell

Diana Burrell — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:22:10 +0000

Oh, I’m not arguing, but as a writer, I like to be accurate, especially when my name is attached to the work in question. I think when you read RW, QLTR, and the blog, Linda and I advise writers to use e-mail, not snail mail. We, as well as every other working freelancer we know, pitch by e-mail just as you do.

One thing American freelancers don’t do as often as I think British freelancers do is pitch stories by phone. That’s perceived as a real no-no here. (Although I’ve done it, but more often than not, the editor will say, “Sounds good. Now write it up and e-mail it to me.”)

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by writeyouare

writeyouare — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:51:31 +0000

I got the impression you did – for example there was advice from one person who sent SASEs with yes/no tickboxes so the ed could say if they wanted to commission. I’m not trying to have an argument though and I do like the book!

I can’t imagine sending snail mail to an editor regarding freelance, let alone an SASE. I remember one magazine here said on its website queries should come via snail mail and everyone kept talking about whether that was really true as it seemed so ridiculous.

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by Diana Burrell

Diana Burrell — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:48:30 +0000

Yes, but to make it clear, we don’t advise writers to send written queries with SASEs.

Comment on The American way: pitching vs. querying by writeyouare

writeyouare — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:26:50 +0000

Hi Diana, it was on Absolute Write that they talked about sending clips and things. With the book, it was all the talk of sending written queries with SASEs that got me!