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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to write a wee email to my editor?

40 replies

LetThemEatCake · 27/04/2009 21:56

Me: freelance journalist. Do regular work for a couple of websites and mags around being a full time mum.

Had editorial meeting with one of my editors at end of last year to discuss forward features for one of my regular pieces. I bought up an idea for another regular that I'd had, complete with name/ title. She loved it and said definitely one for the new year. When I spoke to her about it again at the beginning of the year, she said that with the economic situation being what it was, they didn't have the budget right now but would let me know if that changed.

So I'm a bit miffed to find that they have launched the feature, under the title I'd suggested, without me. Think it is being written in-house, so it's not like another freelancer got their paws on it, and I know that there's nothing I can do about it, but just feel like letting her know that I'm surprised and a little disappointed that they have so completely taken on my idea without my involvement.

Would it be wrong to do this? Don't want to have a rant at her and jeopardise my other work, but just want to gently point out that I am not 100% happy.

OP posts:
ConnieComplaint · 27/04/2009 22:00

I'm a journalist too, not a freelance though, but I deffo think you should drop her a line!

Especially if it's even under the same title you suggested.

I suppose the only problem with this is proof?

What way would you word it so as not to ostracise yourself from future features, yet still make her aware that you know exactly what has happened?

Original poster
LetThemEatCake · 27/04/2009 22:02

Something like

"saw the new feature, thought it was great, very funny. Have to say, however, that I'm a little disappointed to have not been involved, since I was under the impression from our previous email (which would be attached to the one I am writing, of course - thus proof!!!) that if you did launch it, I'd be the writer? Understand budget constraints etc but am sure we could have worked something out."

OP posts:
laza222 · 27/04/2009 22:03

YANBU!!! That would really wind me up. It's just not fair. Although not a journalist, I work in PR (the other side of the fence from you!!! ) so get the whole forward features thing. I wrote an article on behalf of a client last week and the publication took clients name off - I wasn't impressed!

I guess you have to play it carefully though as you do want more work adn I can imagine that it is difficult right now to get work as a freelancer.

Maybe call instead of emailing for a start and just express that you were a bit surprised and upset to see the article that x had written in the magazine this month, as it was your suggestion. I think email can be misinterpreted too easily and as presumably you want more work, I think telelphone call would work better.

Good luck.

laza222 · 27/04/2009 22:05

Didnt see your second post before I wrote mine. I like your email but would still go for telephone as she has to answer there and then as well so can't read email that is awkward to answer and then ignore it.

P.S. As a PR, my writing is usually better than this. The mixture of half a bottle of wine (stressful day) and not working right now is having an impact!

FabulousBakerGirl · 27/04/2009 22:05

YANBU

I am thinking copyright or something similar??

Original poster
LetThemEatCake · 27/04/2009 22:11

the thing is, I work from home with my children (aged 2 and 1) so phone calls are damn near impossible!! One of them always calls out, or starts crying, or needs the loo ... I'm much more professional on email

OP posts:
ConnieComplaint · 27/04/2009 22:13

I wouldn't have thought there would be copyright issues if you hadn't actually written any article yet? Though I'm quite prepared to be corrected!

As an employee of a rather small, local paper, everything we write belongs to them and not us..... hence working for buttons & no chance to send a 'good' story to a bigger publication.

Your email sounds good! I would prefer to email also, as it can be quite noisy in a newsroom & it'd be easy for her to say "Oh, hang on LTEC, I've got a call on the other line/reporter in the room/etc" but if you email she can reply in her own time, when she has no deadline near & maybe offer you a better explanation? It might not be as confrontational in an email as it may sound on the 'phone?

Laza..I heart the PR people...they often make a busy day a little bit easier

ConnieComplaint · 27/04/2009 22:15

Ah cross posts... yes, email deffo! Nothing like a crying child to make you sound less polished professional and more hassled mum... I should know, having two myself!

Why is it they always start when you're on the 'phone?

Merrylegs · 27/04/2009 22:16

Ouch. That must have been a bit of a kick in the teeth!

I too am a freelancer and my editior always says "those that shout the loudest get heard." (Basically, if you make a noise she will give you something to keep you quiet!)

So I think I would put my courage to the sticking post (to paraphrase someone more literary than me) and wave your arms a bit in her direction. Next time she may think of you first when commissioning.

Perhaps, as you wrote -

"Dear X
Just a quick line to say I saw the new feature and thought it was great - very funny! I have to say, however, that I'm a little disappointed to have not been involved. I was under the impression from our previous email (see above!) that if you did launch it, I'd be the writer? I understand budget constraints, and I'm guessing it was written in-house, but I'm sure you will understand when I say that I am a little confused you didn't approach me about it. You obviously thought the idea was a good one! I am sure we could have worked something out with regard to payment and I hope you will continue to consider any ideas I have in the future."
All best
LTEC

Merrylegs · 27/04/2009 22:17

oops - editior?

That's why I have an editor!

laza222 · 27/04/2009 22:18

Fair point! I guess email it is but make sure she responds! It really is unfair that you come up with the idea and the magazine takes it. I know its tough at the moment and they are all losing out on advertising, but they can't go around stealing other peoples ideas! when you do write it though, write it ant then go back to it a few hours later to make sure you haven't been too angry about it. It would be a shame not to get any more work from the mag when its the mag that is in the wrong. My initial email about my stolen article last week started off very different from my final one (plagiarism and the like was mentioned in the original one). Maybe she will feel guilty and commission you for another article for the next issue, not to mention consider you first port of call for any future articles she ever needs.

AitchTwoOh · 27/04/2009 22:19

hmmm, i don't know. how well do you know her? is she a good sort? if you shame her she just might stop using you altogether. i'd maybe say good column, very funny etc, do you think that budgets will be freed up soon to use me etc?
in fact i'm not sure i would, i'd maybe just forward some more ideas and say you liked it and it was a shame you couldn't have written it but here are some shiny new pitches. don't want to put an ed on the back foot in this climate imo.

edam · 27/04/2009 22:21

I'd be VERY pissed off about this. Am freelance, used to be on the other side of the fence as an editor myself - would never have nicked an idea submitted by a freelance. Just wrong.

Don't have any better ideas than those suggested, just make her feel a bit guilty so she has to throw you a bone.

laza222 · 27/04/2009 22:22

lol...Connie. I like you! Too many journalists hate us PR people! I do work in quite a niche market though which involves dealing with lots of engineers turned editors. It can be quite daunting talking to them at times when they ask you questions that you really don't have a clue about!

ConnieComplaint · 27/04/2009 22:26

You don't work for a public transport company do you?...........Otherwise I may change my mind....

Original poster
LetThemEatCake · 27/04/2009 22:43

she's a funny one to read ... terribly posh and fabulous, EXTREMELY designer-clad and well-groomed, doesn't have children, dahling, simply too busy with the business (but does have a 'darling dog' that she takes to the office with her) ... she looked terribly disappointed when she met me for the first time, think she thought I'd be far more fabulous (and thin!!) than I am (my work kind of gives that impression) and she was obviously completely unimpressed by me, even though I was wearing a Marc Jacobs top (but only Topshop jeans )

Also saw her casting disapproving eyes at my engagement ring, hers is gargantuan.

Laza - I love PRs. Except for one last week.... but that's the subject for a whole new AIBU...

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 27/04/2009 22:53

she's obv v into her status... i'd be wary of trying to make her feel guilty tbh but i'd ask outright if the budgets are likely to free up to use you. it's not right, but it's what i'd do right now if i wasn't sure of a solid relationship with an ed.

laza222 · 27/04/2009 23:03

Connie: No I don't...although we are currently pitching for one. Public transport would be glamorous in my world!

Let Them Eat Cake: She sounds awful. But maybe her character is one that will be respect you for bringing up the issue with her.

Nancy66 · 27/04/2009 23:29

Wow - lot of journos on Mumsnet, here's another one.

I think you should definitely say something but I'd tread carefully. As you will know journalism is a fairly small, incestuous little affair and you tend to enounter the same old people time and time again. For this reason it's never worth really falling out with anyone. Think of your future career.

In your shoes I would send a friendly email along the lines of:

Hi x

Saw that you decided to run with my suggestion after all. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to write it for you as I would have loved to have done it, but I do understand that cost cutting is something of a necessity at the moment. However I would appreciate a fee for the original idea - so please advise how much I can invoice for.

picmaestress · 28/04/2009 00:09

Ooh, ouch. How incredibly unprofessional of her. Am dying to know who it is (am also a journalist - how many of us are there?!).

Will there be a point in the future at which you will have the opportunity to pitch more ideas to this person? Personally, if it's just one idea that got pinched, I'd leave any mention of it until the next meeting. Then when she asks you if you have anything, ask if it's okay if you record the conversation and/or confirm by email, as you were confused and a bit concerned that you seemed to have the 'same' idea for a feature last time.
Passive aggressive, but the way I'd play it to keep my hand in the game...

Not sure I'd want to work with someone who pinched ideas and passed them off as her own tho!

chandellina · 28/04/2009 08:50

i would keep it very simple - let her know you were surprised and disappointed to see your idea under someone else's byline and that you'd like to stop by for a chat about this and future work.

i wouldn't really mention reimbursement in an initial email - it sounds like a threat.

unfortunately this stuff happens all the time. I pitched a bunch of story before i went on maternity leave and have since had the pleasure of seeing colleagues write them ...

Wordweaver · 28/04/2009 09:15

I think it's completely understandable to feel unhappy about this.

I also think that as much as it's important for your future work not to unnecessarily antagonise her, it's ALSO important for your future work not to let her think she can do whatever she likes with your ideas and get away with it.

I'm a freelance writer (children's) and if I were in your position I would send a gentle but carefully worded email, not mentioning money, to make it clear that I was aware of what had happened.

Do you think she would respond well to you putting a more positive spin on it by asking her how she would like you to submit ideas in the future, or something along those lines?

I know journalism is a different field, but in my work, ideas and story development are paid for. You have worked hard and probably invested both time and money to become someone who can think up these ideas - you deserve acknowledgment for that at the very least.

justaboutspringtime · 28/04/2009 09:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
LetThemEatCake · 28/04/2009 13:36

okay, well I wrote the email .. didn't mention an idea fee, pretty much wrote exactly what Merrylegs suggested.

To her credit, she got back to me almost immediately saying that she was sorry I felt that way but that the idea had actually been in the editorial plan long before we spoke about it (obviously this was not AT ALL the impression I got in our meeting!!!!) and that as one of the other regular features had been dropped, it had freed up an in-houser to write it.

She made reference to my nationality as making me not the best suited to the task, however which has pee'd me off somewhat ...

but said that she loves my work and I will be topo fher list for future features when/ if budget allows.

So at least I said something, I guess. Thanks for your support! So many journalists! we should arrange a meet-up.

OP posts:
TheShipsCat · 28/04/2009 13:44

Glad she wrote back in a nice way. I am sure you'll be top of the list for the next piece.
I'm a freelancer and editor - and budget cuts have been terrible so I do understand her position, but I would never have taken the idea without talking to the freelancer first.
If its hard getting stuff at the moment, have you thought of offering to cut your rates a little? I've cut mine, and got more work, and as an editor I'd be really pleased if any freelancers offered to cut theirs.