Comments on: You Ask, We Answer: How can I keep my assignments organized?

By: LindaFormichelli

LindaFormichelli — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:17:07 +0000

Thanks for all the great additional tips! What I would really like is a calendar that will remind me 2 days before to send a confirmation, then remind me of the actual interview 20 minutes before so I can prepare. Maybe iCal can do that and I don’t know it…right now I have to enter in each interview twice.

By: Joel

Joel — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:41:23 +0000

If you use Microsoft Outlook, try using the task function. Not only can you put in a start and due date, you can also make notes or record expenses in the details tab.

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:25:11 +0000

If you use the electronic version of Writer’s Market (http://www.writersmarket.com), you can not only search that hefty book online, but you can also keep track of those same queries through their interface. Once you create a “manuscript” for the piece, you can then connect different publications listed in Writer’s Market to that article and keep tabs of everything in on spot. I think I pay something like $3.99/month for the service… For me, just having the online form of the book makes it worthwhile, but the submission tracker is a nice added bonus.

And Linda mentioned iCal… Personally, I use the free Google Calendar app for the same purpose. I love being able to access it from any place with an Internet connection, and I set it up to send me text messages to my cell phone just ahead of important appointments.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:45:52 +0000

WOW! I’m impressed. I’m better and keeping track of queries. I keep them in an Excel spreadsheet. Each query has a line with all the pertinent info filled out: Magazine, editor, editor’s email, which pitch I sent, date sent, first follow-up, second follow-up (and yes, for one there is a fourth follow-up) and, ultimately the final verdict.

It has helped save my sanity to keep track of what I’ve done and helped me keep on top of things that I have sent out.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:06:28 +0000

I have a spreadsheet where one worksheet is queries and another is assignments. The assignments page lists articles, publications, due dates, and when I should expect payment. Outstanding assignments are a different color than the ones that are already completed, so those stand out. I also write due dates in my little black book so if I’m planning a happy hour or weekend trip, I know what projects I have coming up (low-tech, I know, but I haven’t invested in a PDA just yet).