strategist surfboard: The writer-editor relationship. Part one.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

The writer-editor relationship. Part one. | Words and Scenes

If you want to get your articles published in magazines, you will obviously need to satisfy the editor that your work is worth publishing, and appropriate for that magazine.

However, another aspect of publication that doesn?t often get a mention ? but should ? is your relationship with the editor of that magazine.? If you don?t get along well together, you are not likely to get any more articles published there.?

I well recall the first few times I spoke with a real, live editor. I was caught by surprise each time. The first time, an editor rang me about an article I had sent. The second time was when I rang a magazine editor?s office to politely ask the name of the editor to send a query to, and suddenly I found myself speaking directly with that editor. Wow; was I nervous (both times)! I also learned something that has stood me in good stead ? the editors were actually real people. Honestly, they were. I hadn?t thought of that before.

As?I?ve?developed my freelance writing business, and had over 100 articles published since those two encounters,?I?ve?learned a bit more about this unique relationship.

?So, how do you develop and foster an enduring professional relationship with editors, specifically of magazines?

The answer is a word you will see in the question; that is, ?professional?.?

Treat the editor as a professional

When you first write or speak to an editor, treat him or her as a professional. Be formal; be polite. Show respect in your tone of voice. ?I don?t mean cold and sterile, though, because you don?t want to give the impression of haughtiness. It is quite possible to be friendly and respectful at the same time.

?If you are going to speak to an editor on the phone (check first that the editor doesn?t mind being called, as phonecalls can be very annoying for editors), get organised before ringing. Plan what to say, and don?t speak longer than is really necessary. Likewise, any written correspondence should only be brief and to the point. This is not the time or place to ramble on.

When starting correspondence with an editor, write in a formal tone, and use your very best writing quality.? Your skills as a writer are on show ? so it is foolish to pull down your chance of success by sloppy spelling and grammar. Tell the editor who you are, and send samples of work if you can; or even better, direct the editor to your website showing samples of your published articles.

In future correspondence, continue to keep a professional manner ? although you can become less formal as time goes on. My own guideline is to always keep to a level of formality a notch above that of the editor?s. You will not therefore come across as cold (which unwarranted formality can seem like); but neither are you forgetting the professionalism required for a good working relationship. The editor wants to know you?re a real person; but not a slob.

A good working relationship depends a lot on how we treat the other person involved, so keep this in mind at all times. ?

Note: This subject is being written as a two-part article.?

Tags: a professional working relationship with editors, how to get on with an editor, relationship with editors, working with editors