Part OneAnswers to questions about
writing life – and work - from your peers – almost entirely unedited but for formatting and [corrections].
Yes, editors commit errors too, especially when communicating via quick and dirty method we lovingly call e-mail.
-- Question # One – Editors, how do you find writers? --
Tudor Hampton, associate editor, McGraw-Hill’s Engineering News-Record www.enr.com -
“Strange as it may sound, it is very difficult for us to find freelancers who clearly understand what readers are looking for in a publication. For us, it is important to find writers who understand difference between writing news-driven rather than marketing-driven copy.
Our publication is a 129-year-old, weekly trade magazine with a paid circulation, a rarity, and many freelancers are accustomed to writing for "controlled" circulation trade publications, which typically have a more relaxed editorial ethic and generally serve advertisers more than readers.
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That said, we look to find quality news-savvy stringers who are not heavily involved with competitive publications. The challenge herein lies in a freelancer's ability and quickness to become familiar enough with our readers, tone of our work, and respond accordingly.
Journalistic associations can be a good source for locating quality freelancers, but generally speaking, I have found good people through mere luck as well as trial and error.”
Tiffany Owens, managing editor Corporate Logo magazine www.corporatelogo.com -
“My favorite resource for finding writers and freelancers are personal recommendations, whether it be someone I've worked with in past and know to be a strong contributor, or referrals from industry peers whose work I respect.”
Dana Cassell, editor, Cassell Network www.writers-editors.com –
“Because we have our own Network of Writers (www.writers-editors.com), I would go there first to find a writer -- either by posting a notice on Member Bulletin Board, or doing a search of our Writer Data Bank, or looking in our Guide to CNW Writers.
If none of these located a writer or editor who could do exactly what I needed, then I would likely do a search on Google for subject or skill (copywriter, brochures, direct mail, ghostwriter) and something like "freelance writer" -- searching for those writers who have their own websites.
In past, I posted jobs to better-known general and larger writer-specific job sites, but received too many responses, most of which were not at all what I was looking for. So I've learned to more tightly target and control my searches for freelancers.”
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Jenny Kasza, editor, NASPA Technical Support http://www.naspa.com/tsyellow.htm -
“In general they are IT magazines and sometimes Internet. I find great writers by attending shows and conferences and asking people to write.
Sometimes, writers just find me via Web or they were a previous member of NaSPA and now want to get involved with it again by writing.
Our sales staff also points me to people who may be able to write, as they talk with people in IT industry, too.”
Anonymous –
“My situation is unique to associations: our audience and our contributors are mostly members. I use very few freelancers.
Freelancers contact me from time to time, and, depending on how they present themselves and how qualified they look, I may follow up. But most of my articles come directly or indirectly from our members.
I'm a publications staff of one--I do all planning and production myself. I do use an outside proofing service called Editorial Services based in Washington DC.
I keep my job because it suits my needs and provides me with security--I'm confident they would have trouble finding someone else who could do this or who would want to! (I work very hard.)”
Dennis Bridges, publisher/editor ComputerBits magazine http://www.computerbits.com –
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“I get majority of articles via an email with editorial calendar to authors who have previously written for Computer Bits. New authors find us either via word of mouth or on Internet and contact me with their proposals.”
-- Question # Two – What are your favorite life and work resources? --
Lori Widmer, freelance editor, writer and former editor of Risk & Insurance magazine http://www.geocities.com/loriwidmer -
“Getaways--This one's weird. I like to go to Ontario, to my parents' fishing camp, and sit by river with my journal or just sit and read a book.
Oh, and I fish. Nothing soothes nerves and brings you back down into earth better than connecting with it on a personal level. Of course, that's only because I like to catch bass and would use any excuse to fish.
Communities--I like participating in either email writing groups or local ones, though I've not had much time until now for either. I also plan to join Chamber of Commerce and schmooze that way.
“Books--The Well-Fed Writer, Harbrace College Handbook, AP Style Guide, The Synonym Finder (better than Roget's Thesaurus, I think).
Web sites--About.com's freelance [writer] group, creativemoonlighter.com, mediabistro.com, journalismjobs.com (do we see a pattern here?), Salon.com, NYTimes.com, prnmedia.com, businesswire.com, writerswrite.com”
C. Hope Clark, editor, FundsforWriters http://www.fundsforwriters.com –
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“Mine is a constant effort at seeking new sources.
I have few I rely on all time since I like to keep my work fresh and innovative. I believe in professional lists online from which I glean a massive amount of information. It's like tapping into experts via a daily digest mode.
