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Topic: Under her thumb...how to get out?
| Author | Message |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:29:23 PM | show profile There is more to this, but I'll cut to the chase: I have written for a marquee publication for a few years: big client; nice assignments; many nice clips. Yet now the editor with whom I work is being minimalized and at the same time is growing even more irrational/ difficult to work with, and I would like to get out from under her thumb...and am now realizing I can't. I have approachd other editors almost cold, although they do recognize my byline and they each say, "You should pitch that to (dysfunctional editor)." I certainly can't say "(Irrational editor has...)" and then list my laundry list of true terribles, but I do want to work with the publication again,mostly because my interests and background jibe with the magazine. They have plenty of brand name contributors. I am not a household name by any stretch... I am not in town and when I did attempt meetings, I was not able to follow up. It's as though I'm in irrational editor's stable and can't get out. Any ideas most welcome. Thank you in advance. |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:33:27 PM | show profile I should add By not being able to follow up, I mean that although I did stop in to say hello to one editor, when I have followed up that editor has not replied. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:40:39 PM | show profile What do you mean the editor you work with is being minimalized? Is she being phased out? Do you have a relationship with any other editor? Or is your relationship with this one editor rather than with the magazine? |
| snappiness | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:46:03 PM | show profile That sounds tough. Editors tend to think of freelancers as "belonging" to each other unless the freelancer is under contract. If your editor is being "marginalized" or phased out in some way, my bet is the other editors are thinking of all her writers as being tainted. You might try, when someone suggests pitching to Irrational Editor, "Well, lately I'm not getting much of anywhere with her, I was wondering if it would be better to pitch someone else" or something even more tactful than that. But they're probably going to close ranks, even if s/he is a problem, and not share much info with you. I think the problem is that no editor is going to want to walk into a story meeting and pitch one of your stories if it means risking that Irrational Editor is going to freak out about it. You probably have to wait it out until Irrational Editor goes, and then pitch the others. |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:46:23 PM | show profile Yes You put it succinctly. It was hard for me to write clearly when there is much more background ti it. In simplest terms, when I began writing for her, she was in good with the EIC. Then the EIC changed and many people were brought in between her and the top. Over time, she has grown very difficult to work with and I would like to continue to work for the piublication, but not for her for many many reasons, not appropriate here. Is there a way to do an end run around a dysnfunctional editor without turning into a whiner.My instinct is no. So that is why I am posting hjere. How can I get out from under her thumb? |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:50:15 PM | show profile Thanks, snappiness That's what I was wondering. Your explanation sounds exactly on target. They don't want her to flip out - makes sense. I think she's a lifer there (anyone would be- it's that kind of publication), sadly. Thanks again. |
| Homer | Posted – 4/11/2008 3:50:37 PM | show profile Pitch different sections of the magazine, ones that she doesn't handle? |
| Lula | Posted – 4/11/2008 7:44:57 PM | show profile Have you tried approaching her for her blessing to pitch elsewhere? Maybe you could try something along the lines of, "I'd love to stretch my legs in XX section, and had an idea I thought might work. Would you be willing to put me in touch with XX?" This way you're not passing any judgment on her. She may be too difficult for this, but sometimes being direct actually works. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 4/11/2008 8:44:42 PM | show profile You're in a tough situation. It does sound like the editor is being marginalized, and you are being marginalized with her by extension. It will be pretty hard for you to do an end-run around the editor unless you have a strong relationship with some other editors there (and it sounds like you don't). This, actually, is pretty typical. I've been in situations where a new editor came in and slowly the writers from the old regime were dropped. I'd say you have one shot. Think of some ideas for a section or area your editor has absolutely nothing to do with. Now, that isn't always possible. But if you can, get her blessing to pitch it to another editor who handles that section. Good luck. |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/11/2008 10:09:48 PM | show profile Thank you all, again It's unfortunate that there is no take away from this for other people in that the system seems to dictate that you are paired with an editor regardless. Homer and Lula - I do appreciate the useful thought of your suggestions, but I'm already writing features, and the only other departments in this publication are sort of tidbits and chunklets of information that pay very little and internally would be viewed (if anyone noticed) as a backstep. I want the clips and real estate to continue when the Irrational Editor at last leaves. While people do move on up in this publication, it happens at a glacial pace. I do like and know these section editors, but none of them are in a position to hoist me up. They are "lower" than the Irrational Editor. dribble - Yes, I have weathered changes of regime at other publications successfully enough, but this one does seem unusually problematic. |
| Homer | Posted – 4/11/2008 11:54:11 PM | show profile Well, then, why not something as direct as, "Can we talk?" Sounds like you're not in town, not easily able to ask her to grab a coffee. But what if you were to find one of her slow days, a Friday afternoon, say, and call her up and get on her side? Say something like, sounds like things are changing there, and not necessarily for the better, and that you're caught up in it, is there anything I can do to help? Maybe she needs an ally right now, and offering to be a sounding board (or shoulder) might be really appreciated. Sometimes "irrational behavior" is simply masking a bigger problem that she herself is desperately trying to navigate, with perhaps no one else to bounce off. You might be surprised at her reaction to someone who's offered to have her back in a tough situation Then again, I could be dead wrong... |
| writesonwater | Posted – 4/12/2008 2:48:49 PM | show profile | email poster I don't necessarily agree with Homer on this one. If she's in denial, I don't think pointing out her pickle (particularly if it's linked to how difficult she is to work with) would be a good strategy. Even though other little pieces might look like a step back, if they put you into direct contact with other editors, they could be a foot in the door? Maybe try that and keep things cordial with current pain-in-the-editor. What you don't want is for her to be PO'ed at you. Then, work to establish other friends within the powers that be, thus diversifying your platform there. If you don't do that, you will find yourself out in the cold when they're all finally happy that she's gone. Good luck. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 4/12/2008 3:24:21 PM | show profile I don't agree with Homer either. The original poster is completely out of the loop about what's really going on. He can't be an alley, and I think taking this approach is presumptuous. And besides, he doesn't want to be her alley or outside board. He wants to distance himself from her. |
| seeattleme | Posted – 4/13/2008 12:58:04 PM | show profile I was in this exact situation. Writer and editor relationships are tricky at some places; youa re considered a specific editor's writer, and editors don't want to be seen as "stealing" a writer unless the editor givers permission. And thus when you are not working well with your editor, working with another editor at the same publication can be almost impossible, depending on how writers and editors are assigned. I solved the problem by writing on a topic my editor didn't cover: health, for example, or psychology, as opposed to newsy features or profiles. Often if another editor is an expert in a different department, you can "defect" that way. At other magazines, I simply pitched to the competitor instead, and waited until problem editor left the magazine before pitching again. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 4/13/2008 5:37:14 PM | show profile Said Dribble: "Think of some ideas for a section or area your editor has absolutely nothing to do with. Now, that isn't always possible. But if you can, get her blessing to pitch it to another editor who handles that section." I agree. This way, you're expanding your horizons elsewhere with the publication, but still keeping her in the loop and respecting the history you've had with her. Even though things stink with her now, you never know what is going on over there--maybe the new people above her are driving her up an unholy wall either because they are disorganized or because they want her out, and she's acting in a passive-aggressive way toward them by not just not giving a rat's patootie about her job and how well she does it anymore as she looks for something better. Bummer that you'd be caught up in it, but hey, maybe when she leaves and lands somewhere better, she'll once again be the person you enjoyed working with, and remember you fondly enough to offer you assignments at her new gig. |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/14/2008 2:39:06 PM | show profile Just wanted to thank you all again. For anyone else who replies with a miracle solution, I just wanted to add that I am unsure if her personality "quirks" are known throughout the magazine and that I am unsure if others even think that the enterprise stories I have brought were mine and not hers. Is there any way to retroactively "get credit" for work I've done that I'm certain she has claimed as her own? Like it sounds ridiculoius, but is there any acceptable wording that says, "I broke the news about such and such..." or "The new Whats-it feature was actually a concept I pitched to Irrational Editor last year?" (Yes, I hear the word petty ringing in my ears). One simple example: I pitched a very specific ongoing column idea, with a full page of details suporting it. She never responded yay or nay. One year later, she was writing the column- same topic, even retreads of topics I had brought to her attention and had been published in her magazine, just in article format...same "take" on the issues as well. I do believe in karma, I do believe in karma... |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/14/2008 2:46:39 PM | show profile I should say- I am not accusing her of 'stealing my idea" she solicited ideas from me for changes to her department. I pitched the column thinking it would be mine. I also pitched a feature the magazine is now also instituting. I pitched them to her, in writing, and they are now being used...so I'm just kind of wondering whether either example is a way to be "seen" with anyone else or is it just a drop it and move on scenario? |
| snappiness | Posted – 4/14/2008 4:12:07 PM | show profile Boy, the more I hear, the more I'm asking myself, "why are you still working with this editor?" I'm not seeing an upside here. Sounds like it's high time to move on. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 4/14/2008 5:37:59 PM | show profile Maybe this will be an unpopular answer, but no, Ted, I don't think there's any graceful way to go back and "get credit retroactively." She solicited ideas from you, you gave them to her. It sounds like you didn't get it in writing that you would be doing the column or regular feature. Tough lesson learned, but next time, it might be best to clarify, in writing, ahead of time, exactly what she wants the ideas for instead of assuming she also wants you to write them. You might have just said in an e-mail, "Sure, I have a few ideas. Would this be for a column/regular feature you'd like me to write?" Also, you have no way of knowing how many other writers she solicited input from. She might have asked her entire stable for ideas, and you and several others suggested the same one, so she went with what was most popular. I'm really sorry, but trying to go back at this late date and claim credit for a column she has been writing for a while is going to make *you* look petty. I'm NOT saying that you are, but that's how it will look, like, "Hey, she took my idea! No fair!" The time to bring it up has long since passed, I'm afraid. |
| Tedwrites | Posted – 4/14/2008 5:52:06 PM | show profile Again,my thanks Just knowing that those of you who responded are familiar with the scenario is comforting, as you can imagine that I have long suspected I got the one bad apple in the bunch... Thanks for spending time on this, I really do appreciate the feedback. Snappiness: every conversation I have ever had with anyone not in the freelance writer field has ended with your assessment: why on earth would you put up with this? Good publication. Generous expense account. Getting to pick up the phone and say "you have to do this story" and getting a "yes" 100% of the time. For what it's worth, the barn door opened and many others in the stable have fled over the years. Thank you again. (And in re-reading my comment "miracle solution" was not intended as sarcastic..it was acknowledging that any solution would have to be on the order of a miracle. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 4/14/2008 7:28:36 PM | show profile | email poster Ted, good luck with this. It sounds like you have been far more generous with her than she has with you (down side) but you have some nice perks along for the ride (up side). Dont' burn your bridges. Keep a civil tongue and of couse recall that anyone else you talk to could be water cooler chums with her best friend. That said, if you manage to forge a relationship with another editor -- say you throw one a bone with a couple good ideas, and mention you'd love to be considered for xyz in the future. THere may in the future be a delicate way to get some of that idea capital back in a situation that doesn't cause Miss Tough-to-handle to lose face. Might this work? "I have some ideas about xyz -- I love this kind of thing; you know Ms Tough loved my idea about xyz so much she used it in the fall issue -- maybe you saw it? The xyz thing? Anyway, I've enjoyed working with her on those kind of projects, and I'd love to look at doing something like that with you ..." Something I did: I worked on a statewide committee that came up with a big PR project. The committee got the credit -- but I originated the slogan and prepared almost half the kit and all the key pieces. While a modest one-for-all approach was called for in the organization, every where else in my portfolio and resume I detail what I did. |
| WordyBird | Posted – 4/15/2008 12:18:33 PM | show profile Good luck, Ted. |
