Comments on: What editors want – the right pitch

By: Fiona Veitch Smith

Fiona Veitch Smith — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:00:45 +0000

Hi Sensor, thanks for stopping by. What we writers need to realise is that we need to approach editors in a way that maximises our chance of acceptance. As an editor Ian prefers to be approached by email, not phone. If he’s stated that and writers still choose to call him in order to ’save time’ that will immediately prejudice him against them. Some editors on the other hand prefer phone pitches; others by snail mail and still others don’t mind how you do it. The best approach is one that results in a commission – and if that takes a bit more time, so be it.

By: Sensor

Sensor — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:32:03 +0000

Interesting reading for freelance writers. One thing i don’t agree is about “Email your idea, don’t phone”. Sometimes email can be way too slow to get response

By: Fiona

Fiona — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:19:40 +0000

Hi Zen. We don’t give out email addresses at The Crafty Writer unless the guest blogger gives his or her permission. I’ve forwarded this to Ian. But you will be welcome to ask any questions here on the site.

Fiona

By: Zenobia Mishra

Zenobia Mishra — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:47:30 +0000

Dear Ian,

I came across an article posted by you on Ebay fraudsters.
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/dec/26/business/fi-ebay26
(December 26, 2007 in print edition C-1)

I had a few questions about it. Can I please have your email address to write to you about them?

Let me know,
kind regars,
Zen

By: Incurable Disease of Writing » Blog Archive » Just Write Blog Carnival October 31, 2008 Edition

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:02:10 +0000

[...] Veitch Smith presents What editors want – the right pitch posted at The Crafty Writer, saying, “A commissioning editor for the Guardian (who is also a [...]

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:24:48 +0000

I agree with you Claudia. I would wait at least six weeks before I started stalking Seriously though, if an editor doesn’t get back to you it’s likely because they’re not interested. Of course, with emails queries there’s always the chance that it hasn’t got there. But wait a few weeks at least before you make a polite query. Most magazines will give their lead times in their writers’ guidelines – some can be as long as six months!

By: Karen M

Karen M — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:44:45 +0000

Very helpful – thanks. It’s useful to be able to look at the process from the other person’s point of view.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:08:16 +0000

Interesting article – thank you.
Just one point: under the “Don’t Pester” heading – I think waiting just a couple of days before chasing an editor is way too soon, unless it’s an editor who knows you very well indeed.