Maybe we need to treat every potential contact as whether or not they’re worthy of the extra stamp, what do you think?

Oh, I’d never compete like that with work. Treat me like a pro, not like a contestant. You were so smart to suggest they shop that elsewhere. It’s the lack of follow through that’s killing these writers’ careers. It’s a shame because it’s an easier fix than they’re willing to take.

Not long ago I had a lengthy chat with a semi-established freelancer. Only one client, and they were having issues with the editor there encouraging different writers to cover the same things, then publishing whichever one came in first. I pointed out that’s not a very professional client. The writer had a solid idea, so I suggested sending a query one an editor I know would at least consider it, and even if the editor couldn’t use it they would encourage the writer to send more ideas. You guessed it. The writer never queried the editor.

It’s bad enough when beginners back out on contacting editors or clients they don’t know. But when someone offers an introduction and you still can’t be bothered to send in an idea, that’s just sad.