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Topic: Next step?
| Author | Message |
| gonzo_freelancer | Posted – 7/23/2007 8:58:39 PM | show profile | email poster I could use some advice, please. I recently cold pitched a feature idea to a venerated monthly publication. An editor there emailed back, expressing interest in the piece, but as longer FOB item rather than a feature. I was thrilled: this potentially represented a huge break, would have been my first magazine piece and would have appeared in a serious magazine I?ve always admired. The pitch was passed along to another editor, and she and I emailed back and forth four or five times in a single day, trying to retrofit the idea for the front of the book. In her final email, she raised some legitimate concerns that I addressed in a follow-up email. But now a week or more has passed and I?ve heard nothing. I recently followed up with an email in which I asked that status of the piece and closed by writing that if, for some reason, things didn?t work this time we might hook up on another story. Again, days have passed and I?ve heard nothing. I don?t want to blow this by being too aggressive, so I?m trying to dance the line here. On the other hand, even though things were left unresolved, I guess it?s possible I?m being told ?no thanks? with a non response. Any advice is appreciated. |
| candylilacs | Posted – 7/24/2007 3:08:56 AM | show profile Another follow up after a week. Then let it go. ------ http://www.mswritesguide.blogspot.com |
| writesonwater | Posted – 7/24/2007 3:31:17 AM | show profile I don't know -- sounds like Editor 2 has invested some time in it. How bad do you want to turn this into a win or at least a connection? How about these scenarios with four ways it could end, hopefully any of them with a maintained connection with the publication -- just an idea: If you still feel like you have nothing to lose (worst case scenario, you've been blown off/dismissed): how about following up with a phone call and apologizing, saying you've been having email trouble (well, you have -- and what if your responses are going into a black hole or her trash by mistake?) and you'd like to follow up, because you thought the reworked ideas will be a great fit for an FOB piece. (This shows you're a good sport about your idea getting ripped to shreds.) At this point, she either says "Oh, yeah, I've been meaning to .. " and gets it back in gear, or she says "I just didn't think it was a fit" and then you suck it up, showing them you're a gracious winner or loser and a good person to work with in the future if a story fit can be found and you say, "No problem. I have some other ideas I'd like to send your way -- I'll look forward to working with you in the future." Now, if you can't reach her by phone, and you feel you have nothing to lose, you might follow up then with an email to Editor 1 saying there seems to be a problem with your emails going through as communication stopped abruptly, and see if Editor 1 says "Let me get her on the phone" At which point, if you get connected back into the loop, you proceed as if no gap occurred and all are on board, blablablabla. If Editor 1 or Editor 2 say "They've decided to go a different direction." you suck it up, showing them you're a gracious winner or loser and a good person to work with in the future if a story fit can be found and you say, "No problem. I have some other ideas I'd like to send your way -- I'll look forward to working with you in the future." Okay, it takes some sucking up, but a bit never hurt ... |
| seeattleme | Posted – 7/24/2007 5:14:23 AM | show profile that's right. Suck. Suck hard. be gentle with the balls, though. That's why they call it a job... what, we're not talking about blow jobs??? God I love modern journalism.... I say you're being blown off. Go back to the second editor and say, I'm not certain what's going on but if this won't work as an FOB, can I re-pitch editor number 1? If you don't hear back, do exactly that: This won't work as an FOB, but can I do it for you (on spec, if its your first piece). If you don'thear back from editor two in two days (yes! two days!) pitch it elsewhere and move fast. |
| seeattleme | Posted – 7/24/2007 5:17:56 AM | show profile And I wouldn't send them anymore ideas until you have a clip or two. These are people who don't want to work with newbies (obviously). You need to find an editor who will. That may be editor one. So send editor one a note listing some of your areas of expertise (are you a runner? what do you like to do? do you love movies, the art?) say: I'm sorry this didn't work out but please keep me in mind for future projects. And watch to see if your original FOB idea shows up in the magazine 3-9 months from now. |
