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Topic: Bad experience with Babble
| Author | Message |
| ISR | Posted – 6/13/2007 6:54:53 PM | show profile I'm very frustrated. I wrote a second piece for Babble after posting here about the fact that the editor cut my first piece after I did what she asked---because she said the piece was a downer. (It was about a bad trip traveling with a child.) Everyone here wrote not to work with her again, and I stupidly agreed to, and worked the lower rate (.30) she offered me up to .50. Then, in the exact same way, she cut the second piece, saying it didn't "jibe with their tone." I asked for an explanation, and she said it read like a press release, and didn't offer more than a NYT piece she had mentioned to me (she told me that she wanted me to write a piece exactly like that one, but more geared to families/parenting). So I profiled a family and did what she said, and after 20 years of being a writer and editor, I'm quite aware that it reads like a well-reported piece, not a press release by any stretch, so I'm furious. |
| FeaturesGal | Posted – 6/13/2007 7:51:43 PM | show profile Sadly, I think your experience goes with what I've heard about them. I've heard the same exact thing has happened to bloggers for them and, have heard a horror story regarding their photography people. I've pitched a lot of people a lot of stories...they most definitely aren't on my list. |
| HisGirlFriday | Posted – 6/13/2007 8:40:40 PM | show profile Wow - That sounds horrible! I have to say I'm really surpised that it was babble you were talking about - I remember your previous post about the .30 cents/word vs. .50 cents! I've written several pieces for them and the editor I've worked with was very professional, appreciative, prompt with payment - overall a great experience. Even when they rejected an essay two editors gave me a "good" rejection (complimented specific things, gave a clear and understandable reason why they weren't taking it.) Weird. |
