I love this anecdote about the proverbial keen young journo. He runs up to his editor saying, "I've got a great story idea." Editor: "So what?" Keen young journo: "Well, people have reported seeing sharks in the ocean just off the local beach." Editor: "So what?" Keen young journo: "Well, the beach was packed and everyone was looking … [Read more...]
5 ways to keep an editor happy (aka: the million dollar question)
Across the globe, thousands - millions? - of freelancers are sitting at their desks perplexed. "What exactly does my editor want?" I hear you. Getting inside an editor's head isn't easy, especially if you've spent more time as a writer (or teacher, or accountant, or whatever your pre-freelancing career was - or still is) than traipsing the … [Read more...]
7 secrets of successful story pitching
Pitching. Bah humbug. Every freelancer hates it. Actually, that’s not true. I used to hate it, now I actually enjoy it. Seriously? Enjoy touting for work? Um, kinda. But that’s probably because I don’t think about pitching as being a sales exercise. Instead, I think of it like a complex puzzle that's about matching the right idea to the right … [Read more...]
Want to get inside an editor’s head? Here you go.
It's the million dollar question every freelancer wants to know. What is an editor looking for? I took the easy way out and asked a few of my editors on everyone's behalf. Many thanks to the experts below for their tips. Here's what editors say about... … [Read more...]
This week I’m…
It's all deadlines and dinner dates in the lead up to Christmas. The publishing world slows to a halt over the break, which means it's currently in fast forward mode to prepare. Editors are flat chat. Writers are desperately trying to catch interviewees before the holidays. Deadlines are looming! Here's what I'm... … [Read more...]
What new writers should stop worrying about
I started teaching a new feature writing course at Australian Writers' Centre last night. A bunch of fabulous aspiring writers; we're going to have an inspiring five weeks. However, I was reminded just how easy it is to get caught up in worries when you're starting out. Okay - it goes without saying that starting a new career takes time, energy … [Read more...]