It Never Hurts to Ask
A few years ago I got a plum assignment from a publication that wanted some ‘voice’ in its travel pieces. This was my first time writing for this publication and also writing in this particular genre, so despite my enthusiasm for the project, I wasn’t quite grasping what the editor was hoping for. She was a very kind and patient editor, though, and edited the piece around what I wrote to fashion it into what they were looking for.
She showed me the piece for my edification and also for me to check over. Since it was first person, she had to edit some of my first-person writing. The lede ended up being something like “Being a big-city girl, I have a hard time letting go of my email, iPod and Tivo.” I had no problem with the conceit but I told her, “This isn’t that big a deal but I have to let you know that I don’t have Tivo. I wish I did, but I don’t!” And she changed the piece, because she’s a good editor who wouldn’t want something untrue to be published.
We’re taught that it’s a no-no when sources ask to approve a piece or their quotes before a piece is published. And while it’s diva-ish indeed to ask your editor for the same privilege, it never hurts to ask to at least check the edits on a first-person piece. Just make sure you ask politely, “Do you mind if I see the edits when you’re done?” You can even steal this anecdote if you want, to illustrate you’re just checking to make sure everything comes out, fact-wise, and that you’re not seeking control over the edits in general. You never know if accidentally it was edited in that you are ten pounds heavier, three inches shorter or that you have Tivo when you don’t.
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