www.inkthinkerblog.com — If you’re looking for a way to make sure an editor never wants to work with you again, I’ve got an answer for you! Here are three easy steps to getting on an editor’s PITA list and ensuring that your work will never appear in said editor’s publications.
Step One: Establish yourself as a high-maintenance writer by following up 2 and 4 weeks after sending in your submission even though the editor acknowledged receipt and your follow-up note and stated that the article was in review.
Step Two: Reinforce your high-maintenance status by continuing to follow up every 2 weeks (exactly) demanding a response (even though the editor has started ignoring your follow-up because your submission hasn’t been out nearly long enough to be harassing the editor and, frankly, you’re annoying).
Step Three: When the editor has not given you a satisfactory response in the timeline you have created in your mind, send the editor an e-mail lecture about manners in the publishing industry. Call the editor rude and wonder whether he/she freelances and has ever had to deal with another rude editor who’s “mean to writers.”
Congratulations! After you send the message described in Step Three above, you can guarantee that your editor will never want anything to do with you ever again. If you’re lucky, he or she will simply acknowledge that you’ve withdrawn your submission rather than flat out rejecting you, but either way, you’ll be free to seek editors who bend to your every whim and live for your e-mails. Good luck finding them!
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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King. All rights reserved.
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
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I love how-to posts and this one was really funny. I also like your query challenge you’ve got going on — very neat for people who need inspiration.
Great blog.
This post made me giggle…I’ve been on the verge of calling editors I have worked with in the past. One publisher released a book that I completed in July 2005. They did this in March 2007.
Writers have to be patient…I bit my lip (and my fingers) but it worked out in the end.
I don’t even want to know how you came to write about this one, Kristen! Wait – yes. Yes I do want to know. And I bet I can probably guess who’s been receiving these emails.
Someone’s harshing your mellow. ;))
You crack me up! This was so funny, loved every bit of it. I’ve been so busy sending out queries all day that a drop by your site was just the pick-me-up I needed.
Do drop by my site some time, would love to hear your feedback! :)
I just wanted to tell you that you have a wonderful blog and website. I enjoy reading.You are a very amazing talented individual.Please keep up the excellent work!
Michelle Knudson, Freelance Writer
http://www.michelleknudson.com
Love it! It’s very hard to ‘just let it go’ when you are waiting to hear back from an editor, but it’s definitely the best choice.