A few weeks ago I posted the question on the boards: when has a writer's story idea been stolen by an editor, and when has it just been an unfortunate coincidence that the story she pitched ended up in the publication? Interesting topic, as some thing that nothing can be done about it when it happens, and others are convinced that stories get pinched all the time. Here were some of the highlights of the advice:

An editor's two cents: When writers pitch me ideas we already have on the books or another writer has pitched, I make sure I tell them just so they don't think I stole their idea. I would not be upset if a writer "confronted me" on this, as long as they did it in a professional way. I prefer the chance to clear up a misunderstanding to simply severing a good working relationship.

When I pitched an idea, I'd give just enough detail to show the editor I have the concept well-formulated in my brain and have access to useful data or sources to make the article happen-- in other words, tease them that 'here's this great idea, and I've already got the guts of it ready to go.' If they wrote back and expressed interest, I'd quickly move the conversation to payment, deadline, etc., to establish the premise that this would be an assignment, not a conversation to show them my cards. Once an assignment was in hand, I'd happily tell them all about the details. No editor ever really pushed me on this, and as an editor now I'd have no problem with a writer doing the same to me.

Best route to personal satisfaction, revenge or what have you: Tweak your idea and sell it elsewhere. It leaves all bridges intact, avoids the "whiner" label, avoids the "naive" label, avoids the "paranoid" label, etc.

Read the whole discussion here.