Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Submitting articles for publication.

72 replies

MrsSeanBean · 06/01/2009 23:32

Does anyone know:

can you submit articles directly to the publication / magazine in question, (ie without going through an agent) or is this a waste of time?

OP posts:
Aitch · 07/01/2009 00:28

are parents working in schools causing teachers to get laid off? then yes, you could.

if you're lucky enough not to have to work for money, spare a thought for those who do.

Carmenere · 07/01/2009 00:30

I agree with SGB, it is highly unlikely that you will be successful unless you have a very specialized subject. It is the worst time ever to try as the market has recently been flooded with loads of talented and experienced journalists. Freelance work is like gold-dust and rates have been plummeting so editors can get great copy for much less than this time last year.
But if you are an expert in a particular area you might just find a niche.

Aitch · 07/01/2009 00:32

such as bumsex?

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:33

I don't really think of it as work though Aitch, I love my wordy doodlings.

Also, as MegBusset pointed out it's probably not the right time to expect big payouts. I'm happy to start start small. I will get there though, dammit.

OP posts:
Carmenere · 07/01/2009 00:34

Yes there is a big demand for wordy doodlings about bumsex, go for it

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:34

Talent, and sexual deviance, will out!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:35

You must all be mindreaders...

OP posts:
barbarianoftheuniverse · 07/01/2009 00:36

Bless my soul I merely made an encouraging observation!
I write for money (and love).
I started off writing just for love.
It turned into pocket money and then a career.
Why shouldn't Mrs SB or anyone else that wants to try go the same way?
It is survival-of-the-best-writer out there at the moment. Good luck to all of us, that's what I say.

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:39

Thank you for that vote of confidence, barbarian. I know I'm good, and that's all that matters. And I'm sorry if that sounds arrogant but timidity gets you nowhere.
May need a bit of practice, but that's all part of the fun.

My time will come....

OP posts:
Carmenere · 07/01/2009 00:39

the thing is Barbarian that atm it will take a huge stroke of luck for any inexperienced, unpublished writer to get published, even for free. Magazines are shutting weekly everywhere, it is a very different climate than a few years ago and whilst MrsSB will find this out, there is no point in not being honest with her.

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:41

My middle name is Dogged.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:44

Anyway, thanks to all for your help and honesty. I think I'll go to bed now.

OP posts:
barbarianoftheuniverse · 07/01/2009 00:45

That is true Carmenere, I wasn't saying it was easy, I was saying it was possible.
And there are still real life London editors who take in unsolicted manuscripts not from agents, put them on a slush pile and eventually get round to looking at them, or having them looked at, at least. That is true as of this morning. I know, I was talking to one.

Yesterday morning. Crikey, look at the time.

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:47

Blimey Carmanere, any hints?

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:47

Barbarian I mean. It's too late...

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:49

Anyhow, if I am serious about this, maybe I should look for an agent. If anyone can recommend some I'd be interested.

OP posts:
barbarianoftheuniverse · 07/01/2009 00:49

I would get hold of a Writers and Artists Year Book if I were you. Libraries have them.

Aitch · 07/01/2009 00:50

i wasn't being unsupportive, just practical. i would never advise anyone to work for nothing, where does that leave everyone if so? so many good photograhper friends of mine are finding it hard to get work bbecause of joe snapper who gets himself a digi and will work for nothing. same in journalism.

my policy was always that i am doing a professional job, so pay me. (and if that meant lying my arse off about my experience, then i did it).

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:51

Now the useful tips roll in....

Worrying arse these going on though.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 07/01/2009 00:52

theme

My fingers are numb, the heating's gone off.

OP posts:
BEAUTlFUL · 07/01/2009 00:56

You don't need an agent AT ALL to write for women's magazines. You just need to get some published examples of your work (blogs are fine but it would have to be immediately awesome, newsy, up-to-date, etc), and write a cv.

Call up the features depts of magazines you like, say you'd like to write for them, mention a few ideas, then email the ideas over with your cv and links to your cuttings.

Don't labour over whole features... It looks unprofessional to send in an unsolicited feature. At the very least, ring them up first and ask if they'd like to see it. Just send ideas and cuttings of your work.

Carmenere · 07/01/2009 09:47

I've never even heard of using an agent to get commissions So they would expect a percentage of your fee? That seems a bit odd seeing as rates are really quite low already.

barbarianoftheuniverse · 07/01/2009 11:53

An agent would expect between 10 & 15% +VAT (which you lose unless you are VAT registered). Agents are like accountants, slow cookers and big-soft-blokes-who-live-with-their-mums: not worth giving house room unless they earn their keep.

MrsMattie · 07/01/2009 12:03

Sorry to disagree, Aitch, but I can't see how any newcomer to the game could possibly expect to be paid? For every journalistic (or other creative) gig there are probably hundreds of people who would bite off hands to get a crack at it. Employers can afford to be choosy and to ask that anyone wanting work proves their worth. It's how it's always been. Almost every journalist or person working in TV / radio that I know started out doing work experience or writing for free / expenses only.

Aitch · 07/01/2009 12:30

i was cheeky and talked money upfront... there's a big difference between phoning and asking if they'd like to see samples of your work (if you have no cuts) and allowing them to feature it without paying you.

the fact that so many people work for nothing in the media is a disgrace, imo, making our industry available to only those who can afford to be funded elsewhere while starting out.