Today's Wild Pitch comes from a contract editor in Winnipeg:

"If I had a head full of crackerjack ideas, I wouldn't call for queries. It really irks my crank when I get notes like from freelancers saying 'If those two don't work for you, feel free to suggest others.'

"I gently suggested to the writer that it's a good idea if he brings forth ideas. Then, to really make my point, I sent this article from Masthead to my stable of writers, most of whom are really great with ideas."

EDITOR "HAS SOMETHING" FOR FREELANCERS

Query letter? What's a query letter? I've been a magazine and newspaper editor for 13 years and have seen two. Oh, that's right, I've worked for weekly newspapers and trade magazines and most freelancers don't bother with that end of the media food chain. No glory in writing for Cablecaster when compared to Chatelaine.

Sure we don't pay as much, but I'm always looking for good ideas. However, it just seems like freelancers tend to avoid trade mags.

I've been called and e-mailed by freelancers who send me their CVs and ask me to think of them "when I have something." Guess what, unless you come to me with an idea or showed some kind of initiative, I'm not going to "have something" for you.

When I do "have something" I return to the freelancers I have had relationships with in the past whom I know I can count on.

This doesn't mean I don't think I can count on freelancers, but it's unlikely I'll think of anyone who's entire effort was e-mailing me a resume. If someone actually went to the time and effort to put together a good letter pitching me a story geared towards the industries I cover, I'd be pretty likely to hire them.

The second query letter I've ever received was this year. That writer has since written three stories for my magazines in this calendar year.

C'mon freelancers, there's lots more out there than the big consumer titles.

Greg O'Brien
Editor (on leave)
Broadcaster magazines
Toronto"

Thanks to Shel Zolkewich for that input. Hey editors, if you have advice for freelancers, specifically if you have any pitches laying around that didn't do it for you and are a clear and educational 'don't', please send it my way. Email, anonymous tip, IM...the choice is yours, the future is now!