The Wonderful World of Query
I learned a little something today about keeping my big mouth shut and am pleased to announce that I will aspire to do quite a bit more of it. That dusty adage about not burning bridges is ancient for a reason… it’s true.
A few weeks back I emailed a query over to a local editor in my relentless pursuit of writing about truth, justice and a paying gig. Well this editor responds back to me within the hour and writes that the idea was perfect for them and they were going to go ahead and do the piece. Great huh!
Nope.
“Currently we are not taking any outside work and only doing things in house but thanks for the story idea.” He replies. And then this “professional” has the sack to add, “can you send us the contact information for the subject?”
HUH?
Now I don’t know, this may be SOP in the swirling water of print media but I assure you, I had to take a few minutes, step away from the gun, and breathe before I responded back to Mr. Editor. And I’m glad I did.
I thought about it, figured I can pitch it to three or four other local places and sent him his contact information with a nice little note that if and when they decided to start taking any freelance work again to please keep me in mind and that I would follow up with him from time to time. He thanked me for the information and assured me if opportunity came along he would keep me in mind.
Yeah, great- whatever, I was pleased with myself for not being a jerk to a jerk, filed the email exchanges in my follow up when hell freezes over file and went on down the road.
This morning I receive an email from him and that they do want to do a small local flavor piece on an older subject and that their staff wouldn’t really be able to cover it. “Is it something I would I be interested in?”
The piece will take maybe a day and a half and some running around, I should make enough on it to get that extra topping on my pizza I have been dying for so I responded,
Mr. …
Of course I would be interested and thank you for the inquiry. I will have it to you prior to your required deadline. Can you please forward the contact information?
Small victories man, small victories.
Explore posts in the same categories: FreelancingTags: , burning bridges, freelance, writing
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
