The freelance writing life: working with editors

Editors can be the bane or the delight of a freelance writer’s life. I’ve worked with many editors, and most have been a delight – several, less so.

Here are five rules for working with editors:

1. Communicate

Happy days! The editor of XYC magazine has accepted your latest proposal, and is sending you a contract.

Communication is vital. Read your contract carefully, and if there’s something you don’t agree with, strike a line through the clause and initial it. I hate indemnity clauses, and always strike them out: it’s a deal-breaker for me. I have no control over what’s finally printed under my name, so although I take responsibility for my own words and actions, I refuse to sign any contract which places me at a disadvantage.

If there’s anything in the contract about which you have concerns, voice them before you sign.

2. Keep your deadline

You should always meet your deadlines, but…

You’ve got the flu, all five of your children have it too, and there’s no way you’ll meet your deadline. Speak up now. Let your editor know what the situation is asap. You can ruin a great relationship by not meeting deadlines, but most editors know that real life can derail projects, so they’ll give you a final deadline which isn’t – there may be a week or two before the final final deadline, so to speak.

Don’t take advantage of this knowledge: if at all possible, meet your deadlines, always.

3. After an acceptance, send further queries/ proposals

You’ve completed your article, and it’s been accepted. Don’t let this relationship die. Send further queries/ proposals. However, don’t expect them all to be accepted. This is highly unlikely. Keep sending material anyway.

Your aim here is to build an ongoing relationship with this market (like a column, or other regular assignment), and this may take a year or two to eventuate. However, when you’re offered an associate editorship, you’ll be glad you persisted with the relationship.

4. Editors move – stay in touch

Your lovely editor is leaving the magazine, and you’re understandably upset. However, this need not mean the end of the relationship. Stay in touch. Editors move and move again – you never know when your editor will move into a position which will give you a whole new market for your writing.

5. Be assertive, but flexible

When you’re working with editors, remember that you’re responsible for your words. Tuck your ego into your back pocket, and be amenable to edits and changes you’re asked to make, as long as they’re reasonable.

However, if you’re asked to make changes which are not reasonable – be assertive. Explain your position, and why, from your point of view, you’re not happy with changes.

So there you go – take these five rules to heart and your relationships with editors will be happy ones.

Interested in writing for magazines? Read my report “Freelance Writing: Get Started Writing Articles For Magazines”.

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