The Freelance Life: Publish or Perish
Published March 11, 2006
We were taught how to research a publication we were interested in by requesting a media kit (meant for potential advertisers), which would give us inside info about the publication's demographics, philosophy, and other nuggets of wisdom so that we could determine if our piece or idea would be a good "fit" for that particular publication. This was crucial, since one of most newbies' biggest mistakes is submitting a piece or idea to an inappropriate market, wasting their precious time as well as the editor's.
I learned that for nonfiction work submitted to newspapers and magazines, the professional writer will often submit a query letter rather than the entire manuscript. This letter gives the editor a little tease — telling them what the author has in mind in brief and an idea of their style, as well as the author's qualifications for writing the story, their previous publishing experience, if any, and other info. From there — especially if one has composed a killer query — one may get an invitation from the editor to submit the proposed piece for publication.
The prof granted an automatic A to anyone who could get an acceptance from a paying market. I submitted three queries. One of these was to the late, great Spy Magazine. I received a personal reply — not a form rejection letter — that said something kind about my submission, but regretted that they could not use it. I can't remember anything about the second.
With my third query, I got a much more favorable response. The letter, sent to an editor at the Village Voice, was a proposal for a humorous piece about a "lingerie party" I had inadvertently attended at my now ex- boyfriend's sister's house on Long Island. This is very similar to a Tupperware party, except that the hostess hawks cheezy underthings with names like "Kiss Me," "Thrill Me," and "Take Me," rather than the microwaveable two-quart container or the jumbo multi-piece all-purpose food storage system.
Since my query provided an example of my style and humorous take on the proposed story, the Voice editor wrote back and said that although this topic had been done to death and she could not run with it, she really liked my style and would welcome further ideas from me.
This could have been my entree into writing for a major NYC alternative paper (which would, no doubt, pay me something for my efforts and give me that much-coveted byline every writer craves.) But shortly thereafter, I descended into a deep depression and my rejection/acceptance letter was filed away.
ANOTHER GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Years later, most probably in another hypomanic state, I decided to resume my writing in earnest. I managed to get a short piece run in the "Metropolitan Diary" section of the New York Times, as well as winning a New York Press "Best of New York" reader's essay contest and getting a piece run there, too. I did not receive payment for either of these little essays, but I was thrilled nonetheless. I had my first published "clips" - and they were good. They would serve me well when I submitted other proposals or pieces to editors to demonstrate I knew how to do it up right.
- The Freelance Life: Publish or Perish
- Published: March 11, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: The Writing Life, Culture: Arts, Culture: Media
- Writer: Elvira Black
- Elvira Black's BC Writer page
- Elvira Black's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Matthew:
Yes, it's really exciting to know that you CAN do it the other way around--and sometimes both ways!
I didn't really give up once I got established, since I was doing pretty well--I just finally quit in part so I could try to have some sort of a life. Deadlines at my nine to five job, then more deadlines with my freelance stuff--but I did have a load of fun, and I'm sure I can always go back to it (gulp) if I ever felt the overwhelming need to do so.
Congrats on your success--it is great to have a niche! Tres cool.
I have a "success" story similar to Matt's -- I got freelanced after an editor found my blog, here on BC, actually. I think the road to success is different for everyone. Some people take route like you, Elvira, others go the route Sussman took, and others, like me, just kind of stumble into it. But hey, whatever works, right?
Chelsea, that is awesome! I think BC is a great place for writers to showcase their work. That must have been so wonderful to just have an editor approach you rather than vice versa, which is much more humbling and stress inducing--lol...
At first you think you get the e-mail by mistake.
Yeah, I ignored the e-mail from my editor at first (sorry Lori!) just because based on the subject line I figured it was just another mass email sent to all the journalism students! Glad I finally got bored and opened all my email!
Matthew:
I can just imagine how it must have felt--when I had my first piece published I was walking on air for days, if not months...better than the best high...lol...
Chelsea:
That is so ironic but in the best way. I did something similar but for totally different reasons. I was so eager to get published and so tired of rejection letters that sometimes I'd get a response in the mail and wait a day or two to open the letter because I hoped it would be good news and I didn't want to be disappointed too soon. Sad but true...
I'm still in high school, but the one freelance type thing that I've done resulted in a successful story for the now-defunct New York publication The Black Table. I should see about getting into the fray again, it's a lot of fun.
Good article, Ms. Black!
Sam:
That was a great, funny story! Any state that originated something as incredible as White Castle is ok by me...lol...
Anyone still in high school who's getting their articles published in journals and writing for BC seems virtually destined for some pretty successful times ahead. Congrats!
This post is right on time for me. Another one in the hole for you!
Hey Berry:
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it...I tried to click on your link but couldn't connect...
Thanks so much for mentioning your good luck in my class! (It came up on a google search.) Check out my new book ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR WORD: WRITING LESSONS FROM MY FAVORITE LITERARY GURUS (Seal Press.) I have upcoming events 9/19, 9/26, 9/28, 10/2 all listed on my website susanshapiro.net
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Good to see you found your niche. But I'm living proof that it works the other way around, too: blogging can lead to freelance opportunities. I was actually approached by an editor to write sports columns for a weekly tabloid. It was a direct result of Futon Report -- he liked it enough to give me a shot.
It also helped that there's not a big market for Toledo sports blogs. (There may not be another active one out there).
So Elvira, you were sure lost in the pond when trying to make it as a freelancer in the NYC market. Yeesh. I would have given up sooner than you.