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Topic: Publishers putting your information "on file"
| Author | Message |
| lisamgbower | Posted – 11/9/2007 1:24:15 AM | show profile | email poster Is this promising or is this a polite way of saying no? What does this mean? |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 11/9/2007 1:38:54 AM | show profile It means nothing to be honest. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 11/9/2007 6:07:47 AM | show profile Definitely means nothing, most likely. If they were really interested in following up for future reference, like they wanted you in their writing stable, they'd do it now, IMO. It's the politest way some people can find to turn people down. Think of it this way -- if a guy said "I had a nice time tonight, Writes - I'll keep your phone number on file" ... The reason I wouldn't burn the bridge by getting my nose out of joint? I myself might follow up with them later or with the next opening or in the case of freelance, if I had a piece I thought would be perfect for them. |
| andrea | Posted – 11/9/2007 1:23:53 PM | show profile It depends on the person you're talking to. I acquire books for a major publisher and I often brainstorm titles myself and then assign them to appropriate writers. If you previously pitched me and I liked what I read, I may have told you, "I'll keep your info on file." Then, if I ended up needing your specific expertise in the future, I'd give you a call. For other editors though, it may just be a polite brush-off. Andrea |
| EuroWriter | Posted – 11/10/2007 10:10:47 AM | show profile Sometimes it helps just to be thick. Why should I assume they are brushing me off or discouraging me from pitching, if they don't come out and say so? The only thing that is promising is an assignment. But until they say don't pitch to me, I wouldn't assume they aren't interested. It's hard enough to get story assignments, so why make it harder by giving up? Sometimes being put on file is just what it sounds like; they don't have anything right now but when something comes up that matches your experience and abilities they might get back to you. I'd say it could just be non-committal rather than discouraging. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 11/10/2007 11:21:00 AM | show profile Non-committal is a good way to put it. I do think that for many, non-committal means the ball is now back in your court. It wasn't a door slammed in your face -- "Your work is so bad I don't know why you think you should be a writer!" What's generally left is for you to follow up with other ideas, etc. Andrea, that's interesting to know there are some people who genuinely file things away for future reference. |
