| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Media Issues > Topic: have editors ever taken your ideas? |
Topic: have editors ever taken your ideas?
| Author | Message |
| leopardslair | Posted – 8/4/2006 9:19:04 AM | show profile | email poster I recently pitched several ideas to a large regional magazine only to discover when I read a few issues, they used my ideas and had a staffer write them. Of course it could be a coincidence they came up with the same stories in-house, but when I followed up with the editor about my specific pitches, he said he "owed me one" since they used my idea. So, basically the next time I pitch him story ideas he'll pick at least one up. But...I have two questions: *wouldn't that be the case anyway - once I pitch him ideas he wants to run he should contact me anyway so this owe you one thing sounds a little hokey... *secondly, has this happened to anyone before and how can you prevent it from it happening in the future? I've pitched to magazines before and have been freelancing for several years for several outlets and this is the first time this has happened. Although I realize you can't own an idea or copyright it, technically the concept of pitching to me is coming up with the story idea and then getting the assignment based on your pitch. *in the future when I pitch should I be less specific about details so they don't go directly to my source - but if so, how do you sell the piece if you don't include the hook? Any advice would be helpful. Thank you. |
| dshalliday | Posted – 8/4/2006 9:54:10 AM | show profile Twice Yes, that has happened to me twice, once with a regional magazine (maybe the same one) and once with a weekly section of a major newspaper. I think editors who do that are unscrupulous and are to be avoided. Taking a freelancer's idea and giving it to a staff writer is just plain wrong. Obviously you've worked with other editors who behave more ethically. I recommend you stick with them and not give any more ideas to the editor who stole yours already. He "owes you one"? I'd say he owes you money, not a vague promise that would lead to more free ideas from you. You won't be able to claim any money though, since you had no agreement to that effect. Just don't let him burn you again. |
| arewrites | Posted – 8/9/2006 6:07:50 AM | show profile No one owes you money for this. Forget that idea. And you sound like you've had enough professional experience to know that anyway. But yes, I think it's a good idea to be less specific about details, particularly regarding sources. You can describe a person's credentials without providing names, for instance. But why not contact the editor and talk to him about this - let him know that you're still out there and since he mentioned he feels he "owes you one," you'd be interested in knowing if he has anything specific in mind for upcoming issues. |
| mailbag | Posted – 8/9/2006 8:56:32 AM | show profile | email poster Of course - part of capitalism Nothing annoys me more about this profession than profiting from a non-employee's idea. There are dependencies with the greatest one in my opinion being how well one writes. Given we are all at least grade-B+ writers, I move on. Yes, I've had pitches stolen twice, Village Voice and NYT. I don't think we should protect publications that steal legit ideas from a freelancer. On the fence about Slate, because I pitched and that exact story appeared the next day, which wasn't possible without at least two days work due to time differences in Asia. So, they very likely already had it worked. While I'm working on one now (more of a business plan really) I no longer pitch. Even between jobs I wrote for myself and published online for free - screw them. They have to justify their staff salaries so if you pitch a great idea and read that same story in their pub two+weeks later I am highly suspicious. Is there anything you can do? Probably not other than tearing up the editor's biz card. Should you hold back on details of the pitch? That's a catch22... if the idea doesn't come across well you lose too. The risk has to be your own, but I say don't hold back and see what happens. (Then tell us so people here avoid them in future!) |
| Lotus665 | Posted – 8/9/2006 9:50:34 AM | show profile If the mag admitted they filched you, then demand a finders fee. There's no legal right but there is an ethical right. I certainly wouldn't work with them again. |
| imprints | Posted – 8/9/2006 10:39:01 AM | show profile I recently sent a couple of strory ideas as references (almost full length story as the editor specifically asked) to one of the newspapers. Afer a week, the answer was I no longer have money to pay for the freelancers, but your stories are very interesting. One fine day, I see relevant article with same story line written by a staff member. I also wonder how can we follow up with umpteen number of magazines and newspapers whether or not they don't use the reference articles over a period of time? Email attachments can be stored for ever anyway!!! |
