Readers!
A reader recently asked: “I was asked to write an in depth feature for a regular client, but it doesn’t work with my schedule. I have time for a shorter, front of book piece though. How do I say that without endangering the relationship?”
This one was pretty easy: don’t overthink it, and just say that. We have to remember that editors are people too, and they’re going to understand if a freelance can’t take on an assignment. We’re not employees, and unless you have a regular column or contract, we’re not obligated to say yes to everything offered. I had to do this with two potential features because I was going to be in Italy. Does it stink to know I’m turning down work? Sure. But life is life! There’s nothing wrong with telling an editor you can’t, and unless they’re a dingus, they’ll understand.
Here’s a suggested script: “I’d love to, but given my schedule, I don’t have time for something of that scope right now. I could do a smaller feature, like [something they had written before], so if you have something like that for me to tackle, let me know!”
If you have a reader question, drop a comment below, or reach out through my contact form.
What I’m Reading
Confrontations by Simone Atangana Bekono. It’s a short novel of missives from a 16-year-old half-Cambodian, half-dutch girl while she’s in a juvenile detention center. It’s about racism, criminal justice system (or lack thereof) and how girls, especially Black girls, are treated — and the rage it foments in her. The book was originally in Dutch book was translated and published in English in January. I recommend it.
Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. This is about Truman Capote and the society women he collected like, well, swans, and the basis of the FX Series. I’ve read reviews about the show being bad. I can’t say the book is that great either. Leamer tries to tell the biographies of too many people, weaving elements in and out of each other’s stories in a way that does not work. If you want a book of that era and two of the characters therein, I’d recommend The Fabulous Bouvier Sisters: The Tragic and Glamorous Lives of Jackie and Lee by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger instead (this is same duo who wrote on of my favorite Hollywood books, Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century).
What I’m Watching
Girls5eva (season 3). I watched this wacky show about a millennium-era teen girls pop group trying to make a comeback when it was originally on Peacock. It recently moved to Netflix, with a short third season added — and I am telling everyone I know to watch it (I got my mom hooked this weekend). It’s so ridiculous and so funny and I want more seasons to come after this.
Nail Polish of the Week
I ran my first race in almost a year — hooray! — and sported Ring in the Blue Year by OPI for the occasion. No one saw it because I wore gloves (it was a half hour on Saturday, which where I live was an absolute soaker), but it was more for me than anyone else.
Until next time,
Jen A. Miller
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