Comments on: Reality Check: Are You Freelance Writing Material?

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:43:45 +0000

There’s been so much bullying lately on social media. I’ve been blocking and unfollowing like crazy. I’ve got way too much on my plate to deal with it. It seems people have forgotten there’s a scroll feature, and that they’re supposed to interact with actual human beings who are more than one thing.

I’ve got some recalibrating to do. I’m cooked.

By: DAVID D GEER

DAVID D GEER — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:45:27 +0000

In reply to lwidmer. Everything is good here. I'm doing mostly content marketing writing in tech and cyber. How about you?

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:35:23 +0000

In reply to Paula Hendrickson.

Wow, you had my Wednesday, didn’t you, Paula? That’s crazy! You’re right — following up is essential. Editors, like some freelancers I know (or am), open the email, glance, then close it and say “I’ll go back to it later.”

And then don’t.

Tough to keep track of something you don’t normally have to keep track of, right?

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:33:24 +0000

In reply to DAVID D GEER. Thanks, David! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods! Long time no talk.

By: DAVID D GEER

DAVID D GEER — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 15:53:55 +0000

This is a really nice piece, Lori. Thank you for sharing it.

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 14:36:57 +0000

Last week was one of those times for me. I had five major deadlines at once. I don’t even want to think about how many interviews I did (and transcribed) or how many emails I sent to publicists to make sure they provide all of the information I needed from them. (As expected, the ones who asked about my “real” deadline – the one that had already passed, said they’d turn things in by the end of the week but didn’t.) This week has been much calmer. Only two deadlines, no interviews, and really just putting things in place for next week. Which is great, since I’d planned to take most of today and all day Friday off.

The thing I wish I knew when I started out: Don’t be shy about following up. Editors get busy, queries and LOIs can be lost, and most editors appreciate a polite follow up.