What Would Ms. Magazine Manners Say?
March 10, 2010 6:25 PM Subscribe
Magazine-article writers: do you offer stories to more than one place at a time, or wait for a rejection from one before going to the next?
I contacted a technical magazine editor and offered to write an article that I thought might interest his readership. He said "sure, go ahead and write it." I sent it to him, but no response yet.
There are several other people I think might be interested; how soon can I send it to them? Do I have to confirm with the first guy that he's not planning to use it?
(I haven't been offered money for the article, and don't expect to receive any. My reason for writing is that having the information presented to the magazine's readers may bring me work.)
I contacted a technical magazine editor and offered to write an article that I thought might interest his readership. He said "sure, go ahead and write it." I sent it to him, but no response yet.
There are several other people I think might be interested; how soon can I send it to them? Do I have to confirm with the first guy that he's not planning to use it?
(I haven't been offered money for the article, and don't expect to receive any. My reason for writing is that having the information presented to the magazine's readers may bring me work.)
One at a time. Always one at a time. If you don't hear, follow up. Selling a piece to another publication - when an editor thinks they already have it - is a surefire and very fast way to end your relationship with both publication, and particular editor. You can tell them that someone else is interested, but do not sell until they have passed, or you are prepared to let the relationship go (note: this is not always a bad thing).
posted by smoke at 7:47 PM on March 10, 2010
posted by smoke at 7:47 PM on March 10, 2010
Even if the magazine says that simultaneous submissions are accepted, it's better to submit to one magazine at a time. Believe it or not, magazines like to feel like they are being offered exclusive content.
It would be to your benefit to just have several articles ready to circulate, so you don't have to wait for one answer, before trying with another publisher. The publishing world is a very slooooooow place. As in, sometimes you'll have to wait 6 months to get an answer. And it might be "no." Think of how much time you'll waste if you just circulate ONE article.
If you feel like this particular publisher is taking too long, you could send them a brief email, politely inquiring about the status of your submission and (again, politely) mention that a few other publications have expressed interest in your piece. This will hint to them that if they want the piece, they need to speed it up a bit. HOWEVER, do not be cocky. Editors will trash your piece in an instant if you have a bad attitude, no matter how good your article is.
Good luck!
posted by joyeuxamelie at 8:52 PM on March 10, 2010
It would be to your benefit to just have several articles ready to circulate, so you don't have to wait for one answer, before trying with another publisher. The publishing world is a very slooooooow place. As in, sometimes you'll have to wait 6 months to get an answer. And it might be "no." Think of how much time you'll waste if you just circulate ONE article.
If you feel like this particular publisher is taking too long, you could send them a brief email, politely inquiring about the status of your submission and (again, politely) mention that a few other publications have expressed interest in your piece. This will hint to them that if they want the piece, they need to speed it up a bit. HOWEVER, do not be cocky. Editors will trash your piece in an instant if you have a bad attitude, no matter how good your article is.
Good luck!
posted by joyeuxamelie at 8:52 PM on March 10, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Just contact the current guy and be polite but firm. Say "Have you made a decision about the article? I have a place or two that is interested in it, if it is not right for [your publication]." If he ignores you for a week after that, then go ahead and contact other places.
posted by Damn That Television at 6:31 PM on March 10, 2010 [1 favorite]