We’re introducing a new feature to The Renegade Writer Blog today, called Sourcery Central.

We’ve all been in that position where an editor asks you to find a real person anecdote for your story. You think it’ll be a cinch to find a woman between the ages of 25-40 who experienced early menopause, but after a few weeks of e-mailing everyone in your address book, calling hospitals, and posting on newsgroups, you’re ready to give up. Before you do that, we urge you to post your request on Sourcery Central.

How it works: just send us an email at sources [at] therenegadewriter [dot] com and give us the skinny on who you’re looking for. Give as much detail as you can; if the magazine requires photos of the source or wants someone who fits a certain demographic, better to let people know ahead of time. Let us know how potential sources can reach you, and how long you want your source request posted. There’s no need to let readers know what magazine you’re writing for — you can say “a regional parenting publication” or “a consumer publication for men.”

Sourcery Central will work only with your input. There’s no charge for the service. Bookmark the page and visit it often. If you read someone’s query and you think you can help — your sister-in-law is the exact type of person the other writer needs for his story — contact the freelancer. Maybe the introduction will give this writer the perfect anecdote he needs to finish his story. And next time, he may be able to help you out just as you’re ready to throw in the towel.

We have a lot of blog readers from overseas. This could be a good place to find American sources; or if you’re in the U.S. and desperately need to speak to someone who lives in Russia or the U.K., try posting your request here.

Do let us know how this service works out for you. Let the Sourcery begin! [db]

If you liked that post, you might also like:

• You Ask, We Answer: Should the editor let sources use pseudonyms?
• Bust My Excuse: I’m Afraid of Interviewing!
• How to Handle an Overload of Sources
• 7 Tips for Finding the Best “Real-People” Sources
• It’s never easy