Sue White

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Want to get inside an editor’s head? Here you go.

August 11, 2012 By Sue

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…

Catching their attention.
“
I often base my judgement on the subject line alone, and then the first sentence if I get beyond that. I know my editor colleagues here do the same. However, I ALWAYS take note when someone has done their homework and says something like “This may be of interest for your First and Worst [or wherever] column.”  Mark Ellis, former editor My Career, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age (now deputy arts editor, The Age)

“My pet peeve is irrelevant pitches. I can tell in a heartbeat if a pitch has legs and it’s always from someone who is a fan of the magazine and truly reads it, because their pitch will reflect our style of treating stories and tone, rather than someone who is new to the world of freelancing who is quite interested in health. [They often] send you a list of really general health ideas that you know they’ve also just sent to Body & Soul, Good Health etc.”  Tara Ali, Features Editor, Women’s Health (Australia).

Being efficient.
“If you get offered work, do it fast. Then I will be more inclined to offer you more, particularly if I need something at short notice and need a good fireman. Don’t send me drafts unless you’re on work experience. I’m employing you, not teaching you.” Kirsty McKenzie, former editor of Green Living (now editing Australian Country Collections).

Pitching the right story to the right publication.
“
What gets my attention is if a freelancer seems to have read and understood what the publication is about and their pitch is specific and on target with the sorts of articles we have – e.g. “This story on natural air conditioning would work well for your summer issue in the home section…” It’s not that hard to pick up a copy (we’re in the library!) and have a look at what sections and the sorts of things we cover and the angle i.e. Consumer, not business etc.” Carolyn Barry. Former editor of G Magazine, currently editor at Australian Geographic online.

Filing stories like a pro.
“
There is nothing more annoying than having to fix up phraseology, grammar and spelling…Read your copy through from beginning to end before you send it out.” Kirsty McKenzie, former editor of Green Living (now editing Australian Country Collections).

Being busy.
“Very often it’s about timing. I receive about 30 pitches a week and it’s impossible for me to keep with them all.”  Tara Ali, Features editor, Women’s Health

  • What would you ask an editor if you could?
  • Do you read the publications you want to write for?
  • What do you struggle with in the pitching process? If you’re a graduate of Australian Writers’ Centre, my mentoring program may be able to help you.  
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Filed Under: Blog, Pitching and dealing with editors scaring the pants off you? These posts may help., Write better Tagged With: Editors, Filing stories, Pitching, What editors want

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Comments

  1. Girl Booker says

    November 24, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    I think I’ll print this out and stick it on the fridge; it seems to sum up a lot of salient points.

    • Sue says

      November 25, 2011 at 5:10 pm

      Great to hear.

  2. Carla Avolio says

    November 27, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Thanks for this post Sue. It confirms many of the points you have already told us, but nothing beats hearing it from the horses mouth.

    • Sue says

      November 28, 2011 at 9:10 am

      Agree! Stay tuned for 2012 as I’m planning a podcast series along the same lines…

  3. Donna @ NappyDaze says

    April 18, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Well, this was a timely read for me, considering I was about to pitch Tara Ali today. I’m going to be sure beforehand that I have 100% perfected my pitch before I hit send.

    • Sue says

      April 19, 2012 at 7:48 am

      Good to hear! Best of luck with it!

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