Readers!
Story time!
I have changed the identifying details of the person, so if you think this is you, it’s not (though I highly doubt this guy stuck around for more of my advice, and you’ll see why).
A couple years ago, a writer friend asked me if she could refer a new writer to me, one who said he was really upset that a magazine stole his story idea. I said sure, why not. Idea stealing is very rare, but I said I’d be happy to do this friend a favor by helping out their pal.
Pal (so we’ll call him) wrote me an email explaining that he had recently published an essay on the website of a local magazine about teaching his son to play baseball, timed to Father’s Day. He was incensed because then a major newsstand publication also published an essay about a man teaching his son to play baseball, timed to Father’s Day. He was convinced that the editor of this glossy magazine saw his piece, and thought it was such a good idea that he assigned another writer to write a version of the same thing.
This didn’t pass the smell test for many reasons, including that it required the editor of the major newsstand magazine based in New York City to read an essay published on the website of a city in the Midwest. And even if the editor did, print magazines have very long lead times, and I highly doubt the magazine could commission, edit and lay out an essay to appear in print within weeks of when the online essay appeared. Most likely, that issue had already been shipped to the printer when Pal’s essay ran.
And, I told Pal, an essay about dads and baseball is not a unique topic. There’s a whole movie about it. When I wrote about my first dog dying, I explained, I didn’t see any other essay about pet death was a rip off of my piece. These are common experiences that writers will cover over and over again.
Instead of taking in what I wrote and absorbing the information, Pal went on the attack — against me, the editors of both publications, the publishing industry in general, and I think he also threw in a complaint about the sun? He was big mad. Of course they stole his idea! They ripped off his brilliance! He was going to email those bastard editors and tell them what he thought! The whole industry was a sham — and so was I, apparently!
Did I mention he’d been freelancing for about six months? And that the essay he wrote wasn’t very good?
I tell you this story not because I want you to be like Pal (please don’t yell at me), but because I’ve talked to a lot of freelancers who won’t pitch a story about a specific topic, or won’t send a letter of introduction (LOI) to a niche magazine because they don’t think they’re qualified. For example, a writer who knows a lot about gardening might not think they have the exact right clips/background/expertise to pitch themselves as a writer to a publication targeted at people who own gardening centers, so they won’t try.
Do you think Pal would reach out, even if his knowledge of garden centers is limited to what he sees when he drives by them? Of course he would, he knows everything! If the Pals of the world are out there flinging emails without knowing what they’re talking about, you are more than justified in reaching out to publications that line up with your background and interests, or where you think your skills are applicable.
I write about clinical laboratory medicine, supply chain and AI, and my BA and MA degrees are in English literature. I get hired to write about these topics because I have a proven track record in writing for specialized publications, but I’m also someone who can write clean copy and hit deadlines. If you can do that, you’re going to be head of the pack. If you present your clips to an editor, and they like your stuff, that’s going to matter a lot more than if your past work is in perfect alignment with what they are publishing right now.
If there’s a story you really want to write, or a publication that you really think you’re well matched to, go ahead and reach out. What’s the worst that can happen? If they ignore you, so what? A rejection? Comes with the territory. It’s highly unlikely they’ll tell you you’re a disgrace to the industry.
Maybe a thimbleful of Pal’s audacity isn’t a bad thing. But, again, please don’t yell at me.
Recent Bylines
“What GCs should know about flow down clauses,” Construction Dive
What I’m Reading
- His Girl Hollywood by Maureen Lee Lenker. This is the second book in a trilogy of romances set in the Golden days of Hollywood. In this one, Arlene Morgan is finally getting her big break by being allowed to direct a movie — no small feat at the time for a woman. The problem? Her leading man is Don Lamont, who she knew as Don Lazzarini, her best friend who moved to New York 10 years prior to become a star. She hadn’t heard from him since he got on that train, and now he’s back. Sparks, as you may guess, fly.
What I’m Watching
- Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV Once again I watch a documentary and yell “what a piece of shit!” This is about how child actors were treated at Nickelodeon in the 1990s and 2000s. I was too old for the channel then, but when seeing what some of these kids were made to do under the guise of children’s television, it’s disgusting. May Dan Schneider never work in the industry again (though of course he’s suing over the documentary).
- Mrs. Brown. This 1997 movie is about the relationship between Queen Victoria and John Brown, a Scottish servant, as she grieved the death of her husband. Was it sexual? Historians aren’t sure, and the movie doesn’t take a stance either, but they were incredibly close (hence her going by Mrs. Brown). Queen Victoria is played by Judi Dench and John Brown by Billy Connolly. There’s also a baby Gerard Butler in his film debut in here. It was an awards darkling at the time, and I can see why. You might be shocked to hear this, but it’s good! Another great one I saw through Kanopy via the library.
Nail Polish of the Week
Sequin Scene by Essie. Normally I would have done a red or maroon in honor of the Phillies, especially since I went to their season opener in Washington, D.C., and will be going to the home opener. But I had to re-do my nails in a hotel room with questionable lighting while on a hiking vacation in West Virginia. A neutral-ish sparkle polish is great when you don’t want to see mistakes, or chips when they eventually show while traveling.
Until next time!
Jen A. Miller (she/her)
Notes from a Hired Pen ebook series
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