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Topic: Multiple Submission of Timely Article Query?
| Author | Message |
| tearsheetj | Posted – 5/6/2008 4:45:33 AM | show profile | email poster I want to pitch a personal essay to some newspapers and weeklies. To be timely it really needs to run in the next few weeks. Is it a faux-pas to do a multiple query (and note that it is being submitted elsewhere--have read that this will just get it pitched in the trash by some editors, but don't know if that applies when there is a time crunch)? Or do I need to make a stab at guessing where I have the best odds of it running and only pitch it there? |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/6/2008 9:19:27 AM | show profile If it's an essay, you should be sending the completed piece not querying. I'd make a list of publications, start with the top, send the piece, follow up quickly. If there is no response, move on. In my experience, if the paper wants the essay, you hear right away. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/6/2008 9:20:05 AM | show profile If it's an essay, you should be sending the completed piece not querying. I'd make a list of publications, start with the top, send the piece, follow up quickly. If there is no response, move on. In my experience, if the paper wants the essay, you hear right away. |
| tearsheetj | Posted – 5/6/2008 9:41:59 AM | show profile I am submitting the complete essay, but have been advised to introduce it with a brief query at the beginning of the e-mail. Do u agree? Am considering "My Turn" in Newsweek, but they say allow 3 months for a response, then submit elsewhere. Since the odds are 4 in 800, I say I should submit elsewhere long before then. What do u think? |
| wordgrrl | Posted – 5/6/2008 10:04:52 AM | show profile | email poster re:Multiple Submission of Timely Article Query If you decide to go the simultaneous submissions route (and some pubs are ok with that) you may have to revise the piece for word count. My Turn runs around 750; other pubs want you to go longer. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 5/6/2008 10:11:35 AM | show profile Almost all op-eds are around 800 words. My Turn is such a long shot and, unlike newspapers, My Turn seldom contains very timely pieces. Haven't you noticed that? So I suggest sending elsewhere as well. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 5/6/2008 12:43:22 PM | show profile Send the piece to as many places as you want and then sell it to the best first offer. Submitting an essay is not a guarantee by you than you will sell them the essay if they want it. |
| kristendkirk | Posted – 5/6/2008 3:04:42 PM | show profile Multiple submission of timely article query I have to agree with dribble. Unless you have a relationship with one of the editors at one of the magazines/papers and want to give him/her a chance to look at the piece first, submit it to everyone you'd like. I wouldn't mention you're sending it to others, and yes, I'd write a little intro/mini query in your e-mail to spark the editor's interest. |
| tearsheetj | Posted – 5/7/2008 5:01:45 PM | show profile | email poster Thanks everyone. Very helpful. I do have two different versions--different lengths--and I'm going to go ahead and hit my top picks all at once and then move on from there. It's true that Newsweek doesn't look for timely pieces for "My Turn." Mine doesn't necessarily have to be viewed as timely, but for some publications the timing may grab their attention. |
