Share Your Writerly Rants Here
I recently wrote for a national women’s magazine. I had written for them three times in the distant past, and this was my first time writing for them under a new regime.
When I got the assignment, the editor said, “We like the idea, but we want it to be like X, not like Y as you have it in your query.” I thought it was strange because Y was the main point of the article, but I wrote it like X. The editor called me: “Hm, it’s really not Y enough.” I said “I’m on it!” and rewrote the article to be more Y, but not too much Y. The editor called again. “You’re not getting it. The article should be more Y.” I gritted my teeth and reworked the article again so that it was exactly as I had proposed it in my query.
Then the editor called once again. By this time, the phone had morphed into a ringing instrument of doom. “We decided we want a sidebar where you interview psychologists about Y,” the editor said. “Oh, and we need it in two days.” So I did it, not asking for more pay for the extra work because I’m a sucker that way.
When the article (finally) came out I wrote to the editor, as I always do, and said, “The article looks super. Thanks for the assignment!” Did the editor write back, “Thanks for all your hard work”? Or “It was nice working with you”? Or “Sorry we changed our minds three times and made you jump through hoops, thereby decreasing your hourly rate to burger-flipping level”? No. She replied, “I’m glad you like it.” No salutation, no sign-off. I definitely sensed a bad attitude in that reply.
I used to love writing for this magazine, but clearly they had gone the way of many national magazines, torturing professional writers with edits by committee, multiple rewrites, and no respect at all for the writer’s time. I crossed the magazine off my query list; I’m sure they’re boo-hooing into their frappuccinos.
So what’s your writer rant? Let it all out in the Comments below! [lf]
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Feb 8, 2009 Writing
As a freelance writer, my rant is people wanting high quality original work, but only willing to pay newbie rates for the work.
Writers should be pay a decent rate for their hard work.
Yes it sounds like an attitude issue or a bad hair week. But I wouldn’t cross them off entirely. With that attitude the editor might not last long/
I wrote a profile for a new teen publication almost 2 years ago. I was excited to sell them my story idea because that’s a market I have been trying to jump into. I submitted the article and never heard back from them. They never published it, nor did they ever tell me that it was on hold or that they were waiting for a future issue. Weird. They were a bunch of youngens with no real-world publishing experience anyway, but it was still annoying. Oh well, onward and upward!
Linda: I’ve so been there where the article changes directions so many times that when it finally appears in print you barely recognize it. Hopefully this is specific to certain publications that are going through transition (both in staff and in focus) and not an indication of where the industry as a whole is headed.
Here’s my rant: A client hired me to do the copywriting for an email newsletter and neglected to mention that he wanted it written in HTML. It never occurred to me to ask this question, because most HTML email programs can code automatically, but this one couldn’t. Fortunately, I was billing by the hour, so this resulted in extra cash for my extra frustration and I was (eventually) able to deliver what he wanted. I will make sure to ask this question going forward and be more careful about defining the scope!
It’s stories like these that make me glad I’m not a freelance writer myself.
I don’t have one of my own to share, but a coworker did some magazine writing on the side, so I’ll steal one of hers.
Actually, I can sum it up in two words: bounced check. Can you believe she decided to stick with her day job?
I really do think this topic deserves it’s own dedicated blog!
Ooh, I identify Linda! I had one client who was very demanding. I found out after my piece was published that they had re-interviewed all my case studies, and inserted things in the finished piece that the case studies had never actually said. One of the case studies was so annoyed with them that she almost didn’t go through with the photo shoot (they emailed me asking if I could phone to soothe her nerves, saying the story wouldn’t go ahead otherwise. Even though they knew I was in Australia at the time! I did what I could w/ email instead.)
Then they claimed to have lost my invoice and took 3 months to pay me. It paid well, but was SO not worth it!
By this time, the phone had morphed into a ringing instrument of doom. “
I broke out laughing…or the email with the little ATTACHMENT thing showing…Your heart sinks into your fluffy slippers (I don’t wear those–am trying to be ironical). Anyhow–what’s up with that stupid WORD correction stuff–the little notes that beam up when you hold the cursor, etc. Worse yet–they redo the story…and instead of notes, you have to evaluate a new twist. I had a WebMD reviewer (physician) insert bogus material–and leave on my byline. The story above about their reinterviewing the case study people–I had a homeland security magazine let the DHS REWRITE my story–uh, make that my LAST story for him. Yes, we writers can get too close to a story and leave out an important point or assume too much foreknowledge or something–a good editor can catch that and save your butt. But this repeated, unaggregated BS is hard to take–it’s not like we are being paid a ransom here.
Thanks for sharing your rants! Daisha, you should start that blog! (See you Thursday!)
Linda, I feel your pain. I hate dealing with more than one editor. I once wrote an advertorial for a brother/sister team’s company. After a very long interview, during which I learned more than anyone ever wants to know about the gross things that professional carpet cleaners encounter, I composed the piece and sent it to them for their approval. She made one teeny suggestion – literally a three-word tweak. “Cool,” I thought. “This is done.” But nooooo. He then sent his “suggestions,” which included an additional 345 words, most of which involved grossly (and I do mean *grossly*) detailed descriptions of icky things carpet cleaners deal with. Then she sent her suggestions in regards to his suggestions, he sent more suggestions in regards to hers – argh! She was trying, as I was, to stress the fact that this company will take on any job. He was adamant that the piece should highlight the gross stuff – at least, until I pointed out to him that maybe people would be less inclined to hire him if he put that much stress on the gross stuff. I told him, “It’s great that you handle the worst messes, but I’m not sure I’d want my neighbors to think my carpets were so gross that I had to call you. Do you want to be known as a good cleaner who will tackle any job, or as the guy who only handles the nastiest jobs?” Fortunately, he decided that he wanted exposure as a good cleaner who’d take any job.
The editor of Washingtonian (a lot of people know who I mean) once told me he could change people’s quotes because it was his magazine. I get that attitude sometimes elsehwere–just don’t ask me to like it, much less put my name on it! Send the check…
I once was well into SME interviews when the editor called and informed me that she had mistakenly assigned the article twice — and the other writer had submitted a piece she was accepting. The editor actually agreed to pay me for the work I had already done, even though the publisher wouldn’t be happy with her. Luckily, I had done enough research that I could propose an entirely different slant on the piece and got a go-ahead for the new piece. It’s a good day when you can salvage an assignment and save an editor’s butt at the same time. Pat
I’m very lucky to have a great group of writers/project managers to work alongside every day at work. so no rants there.
However, I completed my first novel last year and having received excellent feedback throughout the course, the person who marked my final subsmission thought otherwise. Not that I mind the criticism, it was the nature of his remarks, which were presumptious and occasionally personal. It was also clear that they had only read up to a certain point. After three years hard work, that’s extremely disappointing.
ps. Thankfully, there are two markers at the end and the other one thought it weas great – woohoo!
I’m a new writer and I hate the way one of my editors edits my article. It’s for a bridal magazine but still must she make my tone so cheesy? But I’ve learned to suck it up. They don’t pay me enough to dwell on it!
Wow, she really stuck it to you. Typically, when clients have me make changes over and over they are very thankful. Have you noticed the ones that pay the least tend to be the most picky?
John, I’ve actually noticed the opposite: The mags that pay $2+ per word make you do a thousand rewrites.
I’ve had both: bad and well-paying clients who are demanding. I couldn’t choose which was worse, except it helps being paid more for multiple rewrites and pissy editors…
I really related to this post. I offered recently to write for a local pub because I really liked the publication and believed in the project. They made it clear they don’t pay writers well. But that was okay, because I really just wanted to do it for the fun of it and to possibly break into a unexplored market.
But the demand was over the top! First, I made it clear that I wanted to agree upon an amount before I started, regardless if it was small. I put it nicely, like, I want to have this for tax invoicing purposes. But this pub has decided they will pay according to the editors view on the “quality.” Not subjective at all right?
Because it is a Mom & Pop the editor is also the photographer. So he kept on me about photos, even though the photos have never been the pubs strong suite. So I got in touch with people and secured a high quality photo, but he kept e-mailing me, practically demanding that I set up a “photo shoot” locally with people I had interviewed. Finally, I did set up the photo shoot, and sent him all the info. But I made it clear in no uncertain terms that the rest was up to him.
Then today, I receive a check from a different local mag. Recently, I wrote this HUGE, long involved feature for them. We negotiated double the normal writers fee because they pay SO low. Then later, I also secured a smaller article per their usual fee.
I submitted both to bad results! The first article was edited by the editor who INTRODUCED errors!!! Granted, I had mispelled one persons name (I accidently wrote antonia instead of antonio, but right after that I said husband and wife team so I don’t know why the editor didn’t catch it!), but this was ridiculous. She misspelled places of business and other items. Of course, it has my name on it!!! So I felt awful about the final product. She had told me before she was relying on me to do a good editing and proofing job. I told her that was fine, but it needed at least one look from a fresh pair of eyes-obviously that didn’t happen!
The second article came out great, no errors, but the web edition is completely messed up, so I can’t send the link to potential pubs.
All that and I get a check today from the company for only HALF of my work!!!! I e-mailed them an invoice, making sure they know the amount they still owe and am just hoping for the best.
I guess I had a LOT to rant about. Bottom line: Editors should NOT be photographers, Editors should EDIT not add (ask me for changes you know?), Publications shouldn’t be allowed to “decide” the quality of work after the fact and how much they will pay, AND last but not least, I shouldn’t receive payment for only half my work.
Rant over…I feel better.
My only rant about freelance writing is when I am not getting paid when I get a job done. I totally understand your situation but I am in a better position. At least my clients would discuss with me thoroughly of what they expect from me and so far I manage to keep everyone happy.
Sorry to sound like a tool but re this: “I’m a new writer and I hate the way one of my editors edits my article. It’s for a bridal magazine but still must she make my tone so cheesy?”
If that’s the tone of the magazine, then yes. As a freelance, it’s your job to write to the style of the publication, not in your own style. Personally I wouldn’t take this as someone meddling with my copy, I would take this as a sign I needed to try harder to get the style/tone right.
You’ll get over that, anyway – there’s comes a point where you don’t really care how your work is edited, so long as it’s not riddled with errors and the fee arrives on time.
My own rant? When an editor sits on a piece for weeks/months then wants changes/more information at very short notice.