Editor Appreciation Day
Last Friday, my mailman delivered a magazine that included one of my articles. It had been a hellish story to write: I’m an incorrigible over-researcher, and with only 1500 words at my disposal — well, let’s just say it wasn’t fun-time in the Burrell household that week.
Anyway, I read it over this morning, and it actually read as if I didn’t struggle at all. And that’s when I realized, Boy, thank God for great editors. When I had received edits, my editor had honed in on the trouble spots and suggested ways I could fix them. A-ha! And when I got the galleys, I saw that she added a point, as well as an anecdote, that made one of the recommendations stronger.
I’m a big believer in expressing gratitude, whether it’s to the person bagging my groceries or to a client who fixes my grammar gaffes, so I shot her a note to say thanks for the smart edits and how much I appreciate her work. After all, it’s easy to crab about your editors: the endless revisions, the indecision, the deathly silence that greets our great story ideas. A lot of writers glow at the merest whiff of approval from an editor: why not show your approval and make his or her day?
Do any of you do this? Let your editors know that you noticed their work and express gratitude for helping you look fabulous in black and white? Or do you feel doing a good job for them is thanks enough? [db]
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Sep 25, 2006 Editors, Magazines, Observations
Yes this is wonderful advice. There’s always a debate going on about why editors don’t reply to emails or return calls when you are pitching a feature, and they are accused of being rude.
I think on the whole they are just busy and it cuts both ways. An editor has just emailed me to say she’s ‘stacked’ with features but she’ll keep my latest ideas on file.
I know some people would jump up and down and take this as a definite sign those ideas are really consigned to a ‘not on your life file’ but I don’t think there’s any harm being upbeat. I’ve emailed straight back saying thanks and saying that if she’s ever stuck then I hope I can help.
This certainly worked with a colleague of hers who gave me feedback on a first idea that it wasn’t ‘quite right’ before commissioning another two.
My view is that it’s important to remember that editors are people too so saying thanks is much appreciated.
Yes! I always thank my editor for the assignment both when I get the assignment and when I turn the article in. I also make it a point to thank my editor via e-mail for doing such a nice job on the editing whenever one of my articles hits the stands (did this just yesterday, in fact).
I also send thank-you notes to sources. I know that they exchange their time and expertise for publicity, but it’s not like sending a thank-you note will upset the cosmic balance of gratitude in the universe. I get funky cards cheap at Target, write a quick note inside thanking the source for her time, and stick in a business card. My sources often e-mail to say that they’ve never gotten a thank-you note from a writer — and they’re thrilled!
Linda