There’s something about editors that writers don’t get. Editors are not the know-it-all, don’t-have-time-for-you, I’ll rewrite-this-because-I-can people you think they are.
It’s easy to default to that kind of attitude if you’ve been on the receiving end of too many rejection letters or rewrites.
But if you can see past the “Thanks but no thanks” emails and the sometimes off-putting behavior, you’ll realize it’s not always about you. Editors – most of them anyway – are trying to do their jobs and looking for people who can help them do that. One of them could be you.
Many editors worked as writers before trading places. A lot still do both. I fall into that category. Since 2009, I’ve worked as the freelance editor for a corporate finance website and on a blog series. I’ve edited whitepapers and helped train, manage and edit other freelancers for an employment news startup.
Based on my experience on the other side of the desk, here are some secrets about editors that freelance writers should know:
1. Deadlines aren’t immutable.
Editors build wiggle room into due dates to accommodate problems with stories or other unexpected situations, vacations and holidays, etc. That doesn’t give you license to regularly turn in copy late, especially if you work for an online news organization that cranks out stories 24/7. But if you’re working for a monthly or weekly and or just need a couple extra hours or days, go ahead and ask. The answer might surprise you.
2. Editors will break policy for a great story.
No editor in his or her right mind would turn away a new-to-them writer with a hot story because the publication only works with their existing freelance pool. A scoop takes precedent over policy any day. That said, if you’ve got a story that’s perfect for your dream publication, you better be 110 percent sure, not only of the subject, angle and fit for the market but also of your ability to pull it off. If an editor is willing to take a chance on you, you better be able to deliver.
3. Editors like talking on the phone, really.
It’s common to hear writers worry about a situation with an editor when they could easily rectify things by picking up the phone. Granted, editors are busy and don’t appreciate getting called every time a writer has a question. But if it’s a biggie or too complicated for email, by all means call. Better yet, email ahead of time and ask for a couple minutes of phone time. On the flip side, I write for some editors who think nothing of calling at the spur of the moment if they have questions about a story. It used to bug me, but now I appreciate it, especially if I can use the opportunity to steer the conversation to future assignments.
4. Editors don’t do rewrites for the heck of it.
As an editor, if I never have to exorcise passive voice from another writer’s manuscript I’d be a happy woman. Editors do a lot more than read copy. They plan editorial calendars, make assignments, sign contracts, process payments, appear at conferences or seminars, attend staff meetings and these days manage their publication’s presence on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. If they’re taking a red pen, or Track Changes, to your copy it’s probably for good reason. It could be because the tone or voice of the piece don’t fit their publication. Or you turned in 1,500 words when they asked for 750. Or you wrote a piece in second person when their style is third person, or vice versa. Before turning in a story, look at it from your editor’s point of view: did you double check names, facts and links? Is it on word count? Is there a nut graph? Did you include a headline and deck (editors love that) and source list? Does it cover the material as it’s spelled out in the assignment agreement or contract? If so, you’re good to go. If not, you may have more to do before hitting “Send.”
5. Editors feel bad saying no.
Editors love getting story pitches. The more ideas coming in for an issue, the fewer they’ve got to dream up themselves. Editors want to love your queries, but they can’t if your queries aren’t aimed at their readers or are too similar to something that’s already run. Before you pitch, read the publication, writers’ guidelines, media kit, and what Mediabistro, Writer’s Digest or other writers’ forums say about it. It doesn’t matter what you read, really, as long as you use it to figure out what the editor wants. Then pitch accordingly. Because editors do want to say yes.
6. A tersely worded email message doesn’t mean your editor hates you.
I work with a few editors whose work and feedback I respect and enjoy. Sometimes their replies to my email questions are brusque to the point of being rude. After awhile I realized the tenor of their notes had nothing to do with me and everything to do with them. When they are on deadline or under pressure, their emails are limited to a few words or less – that’s all they have time for. When the deadlines are behind them, they’re back to their typical cheerful and supportive selves. Now that I’ve done more editing, I notice myself sending the same 2 or 3 word messages. Don’t take it personally.
7. The editor you write for today could be the writer you edit tomorrow.
The only constant in the news business is change, especially as the industry shifts from paper to pixels. People switch jobs, go from staff positions to freelance and back again. Moral of the story: it pays to maintain good relationships with editors because you never know when your paths will cross again. In the past few years, I’ve worked with three freelance writers who had previously had been my editors at other publications.
Excellent post! Agree with this.
Good post! 4 through 7 are so right on! I try to keep 1 and 2 secret. 🙂 I’d have to disagree with hating the phone, though. I don’t *hate* it, but when I ask someone for clips and they call me on a busy day, I do get rather annoyed. And I once had a client who would call my home phone and then cell phone (at night) and then email me when I let it go to voicemail, and I would’ve preferred just one method of communication. I think the phone should be used sparingly.
Agree, hallelujah, and amen! As a longtime editor and freelance writer, I wish more of my freelancer colleagues understood how the editing side works!