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Topic: Washington Post & Holding Essays
| Author | Message |
| EssayGirl | Posted – 9/22/2007 6:06:31 PM | show profile | email poster In a 2 month span I have had 2 different editors --one in Style and the Sunday Mag editor write me to say they like a piece and would like to hold it (Style) or am holding it (Sunday Mag guy) my submission. The Style editor actually sent a freelance contract for me to sign and said there was a long committed line but that she would definitely contact me 3 weeks prior to the publication with the actual date. The Magazine editor said "we really like this and will hold it ---and at the least you can pitch us.... I feel like I am reading tealeaves with these folks as my writing experience until this summer has been strictly nonfiction (adolescent development) --trade and nonprofits. Has anyone here worked with Style or the Sunday Mag (WashPost) AND/OR has anyone had experience with editors holding your work? What exactly is that? Am I setting myself up for disappointment and if not how would you handle staying in touch? Obviously I don't want to fall off the radar. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 9/22/2007 6:52:58 PM | show profile I''ve ever written for them but in my experience it's best to be straightforward. I would tell them, "I'm delighted you are interested in the essay. Can you tell me what is the likelihood it will run eventually and what would be a reasonable expectations for when that might happen." Those are fair questions. Now, if the contract is pay on pub, it's pretty meaningless. If they are going to pay you and hold the essay to run in the future, they probably will. However, I certainly have been paid for pieces that never ran. |
| EssayGirl | Posted – 9/22/2007 7:29:30 PM | show profile thanks D. I think freelance essays are all pay on publication at WashPo. The STYLE editor and I have developed a good relationship and written back and forth. She said she put it in her queue but as I mentioned the backup. Frankly, I think I was sort of startled by the Sunday Mag interest and may have stupidly dropped the ball on being more direct in my correspondence. He read it because the Style editor already had one of mine and said she thought he would like to see it. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 9/23/2007 7:58:16 PM | show profile In that case, I'd just ask now. -- Posted ? 9/22/2007 7:29:30 PM | show profile thanks D. I think freelance essays are all pay on publication at WashPo. The STYLE editor and I have developed a good relationship and written back and forth. She said she put it in her queue but as I mentioned the backup. Frankly, I think I was sort of startled by the Sunday Mag interest and may have stupidly dropped the ball on being more direct in my correspondence. He read it because the Style editor already had one of mine and said she thought he would like to see it.-- |
| EssayGirl | Posted – 9/24/2007 12:21:30 PM | show profile Thanks DD. I appreciate your input. I need to clear my head and decide how to handle this second editor (Sunday Magazine). After he wrote to say he liked the essay and wanted to hold on to it..I wrote back, something short, humorous, grateful. Then sent him another essay over the weekend. He has not responded to either. So I will probably wait a while more with him. The is the editor in chief so I may be erring going directly to him anyway. I am learning! LOL. |
| recorder | Posted – 9/24/2007 3:19:01 PM | show profile Hi EssayGirl, I have worked with the Post Magazine and found them to be very professional and straight forward. I pitched the EIC. He liked it and forwarded it onto another editor who contacted me. Things were a bit slow getting started, but I pushed them on getting a contract and from there, everything was fine. I'd encourage you much like DD says to be honest. Tell them you'd really like to work with them, but wonder whether they're going to be able to fit it in anytime soon, and if not you'd like the opportunity to pitch elsewhere (if that's the case). I think they'll be straight forward with you. Good luck! |
| Village Gal | Posted – 9/24/2007 4:18:53 PM | show profile Based upon what I've heard, if the WP style editor sent you a contract and asked you to sign it, I'd say sign it- and wait until she has room to publish it. You certainly have a right to ask how long the wait The WP is honest and I've heard that other writers had to wait a while in that section. I'm confused about how it got to the magazine editor. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 9/24/2007 4:21:10 PM | show profile Never mind my last sentence. I see you answered it. |
| EssayGirl | Posted – 9/24/2007 7:44:06 PM | show profile Thanks guys. The Sunday Mag Editor actually contacted me today about the new piece and said he thought it was nicely written and then asked a question about it. So just now I took the opportunity after answering his inquiry to ask if he was interested in publishing either or both essays and what kind of time frame he was on. The one that has a contract, the editor (Style) has been super encouraging and she did warn that the line was long. All the Post folks thusfar have been incredibly professional. I did send a piece to Health this summer that the editor said she like and asked a couple of questions but she has never responded since to emails. Frankly, I am not sure if that essay had enough "medical patina" to it. |
