So my freelance article got killed -- now what?

November 24, 2015 11:17 PM

I had a freelance pitch accepted from a major national outlet. For various reasons, the editor didn't like it after I wrote it. Now what?

This isn't really a question about dealing with the outlet now or the editor -- I'm settled up with them. The reason the article was killed was that basically the editor wanted a certain kind of article that I had trouble delivering on. (It was focused on a subject area that the editor has a certain view of, and I could not make the reporting work in that direction.)

So it's not a matter of artistic principle or anything -- I tried, we went back and forth, it just didn't work out. The writing is still good, though (I think!) and I think the article is good too.

But now what? I've never tried to pitch an article that was already fully written. I've put a lot into it, and would like to see it published (and perhaps get paid for it as well.)

Any thoughts? Throwaway email: [e-mail].

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (7 answers total)

Just pitch it to other editors the way you would pitch an idea you had. Briefly tell them what it is, "Here's the story, here's the angle, etc." and if you want, attach what you've done and say, here is a first draft if they'd like to look at it. See what they say. If they love it, great. If they like it, but want you to talk to someone else too, do that and work it into the story. I'm not sure I understand what sort of guidance you're looking for. Just continue to pitch it. The fact that it's already written really doesn't make a big difference.

I think your approach is the same and the only difference is you have the option of attaching your draft to the email. Personally, I would pitch like normal and not send the draft in an initial email because I would be worried the attachment would look like spam and I'd worry a fully finished story without any feedback would look presumptuous, but that's just me.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:59 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Freelance writer here. I often wait to pitch articles until after I've written them, actually, since the writing and reporting process often leads me in directions I hadn't expected in my initial outline.

Just keep pitching the article and mention at the end that it's already written, it's about [X] words, hope you'll consider it. Don't attach the full article to your pitch, but mentioning that there's already a draft isn't going to persuade an editor not to get back to you.
posted by Tenzing_Norgay at 12:17 AM on November 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

You could also offer to provide it 'on spec.' As it's already written it won't take up more of your time to provide the whole article before they give the final ok.
posted by Youremyworld at 2:11 AM on November 25, 2015

Typically, the process here is to request a kill fee (if you haven't already) from the first publication — I mean, you did actually put work into this. Then shop the piece around to any other pubs that might be interested. It's up to you to decide if you want to tell them it's already written or not, but you might have to do a bit more reporting to reframe it in the way to make it a better fit for publication 2.
posted by Brittanie at 3:52 AM on November 25, 2015 [3 favorites]

Editor here. Pitch the piece to other editors, but don't mention it's already written. That will immediately suggest there's something wrong with it (and you really don't want to have to explain that it was killed elsewhere, not matter what the reason) and make a successful pitch less likely. Plus the process of working with an editor is collaborative--you pitch a story and if the editor likes the idea, he/she will typically say yes but give input on direction/voice/tone. That is more difficult if the piece is already written.
posted by bassomatic at 6:04 AM on November 25, 2015 [18 favorites]

Editor here also - bassomatic is right, don't mention it was killed elsewhere. But I think if you have a draft, it's OK to say so - as long as the editor knows you're willing to make significant changes. I would email their competitors with:


Dear Darlene,

I'm a freelance writer who has written for the New York Times, Nature and National geographic. See my portfolio here [link].

For the last few weeks I've been working on a piece about the migration of salmon in Alaska and how their habitat is endangered. It's a strong story because [bla bla] and I've had great access too, talking to [Mr Blah and Ms Blah]. I have a draft ready to show you but of course would welcome working with you to meet any of your requirements.

Best regards,

John
posted by Sijeka at 8:04 AM on November 25, 2015 [4 favorites]

Former editor chiming in to second Sijeka and bassomatic. And definitely ask about the kill fee! It's usually 25%.
posted by jessca84 at 8:44 AM on November 25, 2015