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Topic: Starting off as a freelance reviewer?
| Author | Message |
| shatteredmindofbob | Posted – 1/7/2008 6:06:03 AM | show profile Definite beginner question here... I've been a freelance writer for a few years, normally writing reported articles and columns but I've wanted to get into reviewing for some time, I'm just not sure how one approaches editors on this topic. Does one pitch the book/movie/play/video game they wish to review as if they were doing any other article? Or is better to just submit something on spec and hope for the best? Thanks. |
| NY-LON | Posted – 1/16/2008 11:39:26 AM | show profile I got into writing reviews by getting in touch with editors at magazines I liked and asking them if they were looking for any new people to do reviews. It seemed to be a good starting point. |
| JimmyG | Posted – 1/16/2008 11:57:54 AM | show profile It helps to pitch yourself as an "expert" in a particular media or field and back it up with clips (not necessarily reviews) on the topic. For example, if you've covered the electronics business or have written about new products, you can sell yourself as the CE expert who's adept at reviewing the latest gadgets. It will be an easier sell than coming out of nowhere with, say, clips about the local city government and pitching movie reviews. |
| rozwrite55 | Posted – 1/16/2008 12:05:20 PM | show profile Jimmy is right on target. Developing an expertise is key to breaking into reviewing, which is an extremely popular and low-paying field. I work as a music, book, fine art and theater critic and I broke in by finding a niche that wasn't widely covered (world music) and developing expert knowlede about it. I read books on the topic, followed the work of noted critics and listened to enough of the genre so that I had something compelling to say. It's good to have well-developed pitches but you have to illustrate that you have the knowledge to carry them out. |
| candylilacs | Posted – 1/16/2008 10:38:51 PM | show profile They want to see clips, so make sure you have them and they are well-edited and stellar! If possible ask if they also have a part-time position open where you could do reviews and/or edit listings. Those jobs always have a huge turnover! ------ http://www.mswritesguide.blogspot.com |
| Village Gal | Posted – 1/17/2008 8:49:55 AM | show profile yes, it's low paying and popular and quite difficult to do well. good advice about casting yourself as an expert. I reviewed music & books for years. It also helps to pay attention to what is coming out, like if you are reviewing books read PW. I would pitch, don't do this on spec. |
| D_S | Posted – 1/17/2008 1:34:23 PM | show profile How do you find forthcoming books on PW? I can't really locate where they list those titles. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 1/17/2008 4:56:40 PM | show profile Publishers Weekly has a section listing upcoming titles- or it used to when I reviewed books. Surely you can find this if you browse the magazine |
| opalinegray | Posted – 3/14/2008 4:37:30 PM | show profile I've been a freelance reviewer for years. Many magazines/newspapers have policies of not letting writers review specific articles they request, due to potential conflicts of interest. I find it best to carve a niche (or two) for yourself to differentiate yourself from the others. Then approach editors as though you're pitching yourself. Give them a list of sample books you'd be well-suited to review to start (you can search upcoming titles by date on Amazon quite easily). If you can get the work, it's easy because you don't have to think of an idea... but that's if you can get the work. Good luck! |
| Village Gal | Posted – 3/15/2008 11:39:37 AM | show profile yes, I basically agree with the above poster except writing reviews is not easy work. |
