You ask, we answer: Writer’s Market or Writer’s Guidelines?
Ginny writes, “I just read your answer to Stephanie regarding Writer’s Market, and I’ve got a follow-up question. I’ve noticed, while perusing my WM online, that some of the women’s magazines I’ve been interested in pitching say that they are now closed to pitches, as you mentioned in your answer. But when I go to the magazine’s online Web site, I can find query guidelines for freelancers. So should I believe the online Web site, or WM?”
This sounds like another example of magazines building roadblocks to stem the tide of submissions (how’s that for a mixed metaphor, plus a cliché to boot?). I would believe what the magazine says on its website regarding submissions.
Have a question for the Renegade Writers? Send it to questions [at] therenegadewriter [dot] com. [lf]
I am so glad you’re covering this topic – Since it’s the holidays and I don’t want my queries to get lost in the conviviallity of the festivities (or whatever), I’ve been focusing on finding new markets and since I am a sucker and still have a WM membership (keep feeling like I might miss something if I let it lapse), I have been mining it for my list. BUT so many of my clicks bring me to screens that say (paraphrased:)”This publication has been asked to be removed from Writer’s Market.” That alone tells me that WM is not doing a service to quality mags but instead keeping the good stuff from filtering thru the avalanching slush piles. My next step is going to be to go to each of the websites and see what THEY say/want, etc. What a pain to have to check in two places! Oh well – glad y’all are on the same page.