Part 5 in the series: “Understand Thy Editor”
Because a magazine with low visibility is a doomed publication, editors are often involved in assisting with public relations efforts to help boost the popularity of their periodicals. Freelancers can help in this in several ways: by showing the publication to friends, relatives, and fellow writing club members; by sending a press release to a hometown newspaper whenever the freelancer has an article in a current issue of the magazine; and by requesting that local newsstands stock and display the magazine.
Like baseball managers searching for tomorrow’s new home-run king, editors are always scouting for hot new writers to add to their stable of freelancers. If, after having read several back issues of a magazine, you feel you have what it takes to become a regular stringer for that publication, help the editor “discover” you by sending him or her a brief résumé and several published writing samples. Often, if editors have no current openings for new columnists or contributing editors, they will keep your material on file for future reference or they will recommend you to another editor. In either case, you win.
_____________________________________
Adapted from Writing for Profit by Dennis E. Hensley (Thomas Nelson, 1985; revised 2003). At Taylor University in Upland, IN, Dr. Hensley teaches students in the Professional Writing Major the importance of communicating. © 2012 by Dennis E. Hensley. All rights reserved.
