-- Question # Six - Editors, how do you locate that next position when it's time to move to a new publishing house, newspaper or magazine? How do you keep that great editing job once you have it?” --

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Jenny Kasza –

“To keep a great job once you have it, you have to be creative with your time to get most out of day. Plus you have to be creative with covers and articles.

You also have to be flexible with others around you (graphics person, sales staff, president, publisher, other departments).”

Tudor Hampton –

“Success is about hard work but in any job, it is important to keep in touch with your colleagues, take interest in their work and show them respect when appropriate, even if you are competitors.

If you look to them for examples of how to do your job better, they will do same for you and everyone fares well in end. Our careers get stifled when we shut down, close doors, focus too much on ourselves and restrict our imaginations.”

Lori Widmer -

“Locating next position is as easy as networking.

When I was at magazine, I networked not only with clients, but also with other magazines in that space. I got to know some key folks and kept in friendly contact.

Also, when I interviewed outside company, I kept in touch with every employer I connected with. It's helped me to find some projects since I've lost my job. I've also found a lot of leads through these same folks.

Other writers in these publications are also a great source. I've received two projects from former coworkers.

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Also, clients I bothered to get to know (many of them) have been a huge help in finding me projects. I've received almost three projects in two weeks from former clients.

If you want to keep that great editing job, then you have to give them more than they bargained for. Make sure you're strong in both writing and editing.

Finding a person who can do both well is a dream come true for companies. If you're weak in one area, then do what you need to in order to become great at it.”

Tracy Owens –

“In order to enjoy continued success, an editor must always stay on cutting-edge of genre that they work in -- be it news, music or business. Find your niche and further your education as it relates to that, with Internet research, conferences and like.

I'm currently working as managing editor of a small trade publication, but have worked primarily as an editor/writer in arts & entertainment industry, including stints at MSN.com and now-defunct "Experience Hendrix" magazine (published by family of Jimi Hendrix).”

-- Question # Seven - How do you succeed at freelance editing? --

Teresa Acosta –

“By meeting deadlines and accuracy; evenings or weekends or when I feel a need to write; create as many revenue streams as possible;”

Dana Cassell –

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“It's not main part of my business, but what I have done over past several years has found me through writers-editors.com.”

Tracy Owens –

“Success in freelance work comes from tenacity, time management and talent.

The bulk of my freelance work assignments have come from former co-workers that are already familiar with my work (as well as writing strengths and specialties) and have moved on to other publications and are looking to hire writers or editors.

Other gigs have come from networking or media-specific job boards and listservs.”

Lori Widmer -

“Keep networking. Also, become reliable writer/editor in their stable of freelancers. Ask each client if they know of anyone else who might need your services.”

-- Question # Eight - How do you get freelance (writing) work of your own on side when you want to? --

Dana Cassell –

“In past few years have only done freelance articles when those editors I worked with over years call me with assignments. So I only do about 10 articles a year, none of which I have solicited - so this question probably does not apply to me.”

Anonymous -

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Answers 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.