… and how to put them right! Advice and opportunities for new, aspiring and upcoming journalists and writers of non-fiction
There are a lot of perfectly competent but otherwise fairly unremarkable writers earning a decent living from words. There are a few poor writers getting by as well. If you’re scratching your head, unconvinced, thinking that you rarely see average or poor writing in print, I have to declare a possible unfair advantage over you …
Obviously, as a tutor, part of my job is to correct spelling – and that’s okay. At first, I may point out that a student needs to work on his or her spelling, and if things don’t improve, I may issue a little reminder. There’s really not that much to say about it, I don’t …
Some people will tell you that it is their policy to never submit speculatively, and advise you to follow suit. When they add that submitting ‘on spec’ is unprofessional, they’re basically choosing to distance themselves from those who have done it or do do it, and subtly marking these writers down as amateurs. I don’t …
It comes to you in the bath – and you know instinctively it’s a good one. You leap out and run dripping to your computer, soap suds still hanging off your ears, to bash it out and submit to an editor. Job done. A few days later, it’s rejected. A few months later, you see …
Namely, one of these: * The Origins of Halloween / Valentine’s Day / Guy Fawkes’ etc; * The History of Tea / Coffee; * My Intelligent Dog (and why he is the best); * My Dead Cat (and why he was hilarious); * Why I’ve Decided to Become a Writer; * My Interesting Family Tree; …
Not addressing an editorial contact by name when you write to them with an idea, proposal or article — an easily avoidable mistake. Each of these sets my teeth on edge: Dear Sir/Madam\ Dear Ms/Miss/Mrs/Mr Jones To Whom it May Concern… Each suggests lack of care, lack of research, lack of … unlaziness. Imagine receiving …
Usually, in a cover letter: “I want to share my story with readers…” That much will be obvious, if you are proposing an article about your story to an editor. Besides, what about what the editor and readers want? Rather than state what you want, state what you’re offering and ask the editor whether she …
“Money’s such a sensitive issue to broach with an editor,” a rather talented student told me today. No, it is not. Publishing is a business. Writing articles is work. People get paid for their work. The typical exchange goes like this: Student: “Hi Alex! Just got an acceptance from an editor!” Me: “Great! What fee …
A couple of months ago I read a BMJ editorial by Rhona Flin, Professor of Applied Psychology at the University of Aberdeen, in which she argued that experiencing or witnessing rudeness at work makes you more likely to make mistakes. This would seem to be common sense, although it’s not something to which I’d previously …
I often advise new students to start modestly with local papers, local magazines and other niche or humble titles. It helps build up confidence, gets you into the habit of writing regularly, boosts your research skills… and so on. You’ll also probably get useful feedback from editors with whom you’re working. Often, small publications may …
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