Working with Magazine Editors

Working with Magazine Editors Editors can be a fastidious lot, particularly when it comes to maintaining a professional relationship with writers. For starters, editors are- by nature- perfectionists in many things, particularly in language and communication. If you have poor communication skills, odds are that youre not making a good living out of freelance writing for magazines. However, even some of the best communicators end up going toe-to-toe with unsatisfied editors who demand more than the writer can give. In those cases, and when building your career as a freelance writer, its best to know some good strategies in dealing with editors, including the particularly demanding ones.Return emails/calls/texts promptlyEven if the editor took three weeks to get back to you regarding your query, be sure to immediately return his or her communication as quickly as you possibly can. Editors like to know that when they are working on tight publishing deadlines, a writer can be on call and ready to help at last-minute notice. This kind of promptness and dependability will certainly get you noticed and keep you on the magazines freelance payroll.Dont submit work with a lot of grammar/spelling mistakesEven though a magazine has its own copyeditors, any writing that you submit will mean extra work for others if it includes a lot of spelling errors and grammar mistakes. Beyond that, it simply looks unprofessional on your part. A writers first talent should be with language, including the rules of that language. If you arent naturally gifted in this area, hire a copyeditor or proofreader to do it for you before you submit it to the magazine. It will increase an editors respect for you as a writer and as a professional.Help out when the magazine is in a crunch and needs someone to cover a story last-minuteThis is a big one. As a freelance writer, its easy to dream about seeing your name in the by-line of some great journalistic effort or feature article; however, its not so easy to cover an event that anyone could write about- or worse, to write for a section that isnt given a by-line at all. All writers want the features and few want the other parts of a magazine, but the editor is responsible for pulling the entire publication together and will likely need your help in completing some of the less exciting work required to do so. If you are there for him or her in a crunch, youll become a valuable asset to the magazine and to the editor, personally. This helps increase your chances of landing more feature articles and more recommendations from that editor to other publications or editors seeking freelancers.Dont pester themIts tempting to continue attempting to contact an editor when you havent heard from him or her within a few weeks about an article query or idea. And weve all heard that persistence pays off- so why not be persistent about it? While this might be true in some facets of the publishing industry, it usually doesnt hold water for the magazine industry.Magazine and newspaper editors are busy, especially at certain points of the week or month when the publications deadlines must be met. During these times, editors do well to keep their head above water to get that weeks publication to the newsstands on time, or that months publication to the printers on time. They certainly dont have the time to answer queries or deal with freelancers who are persistent about future article ideas. If you continue to contact them over the same query or idea multiple times, odds are you will be turned down when the editor finally has time to check his or her messages or email. If youve sent out a query, wait a bit. If the editor is a professional, which most of them are, he or she will get back with you at their convenience- and have a much more positive attitude about doing so.Dont send an article or idea to several editors at onceThis is a big mistake in the publishing industry, whether you are querying magazine editors, newspaper editors or book publishers. M any are friends with other editors of other publications and word gets around if you are the type of writer who does this. Only query one at a time and wait to hear back before sending your idea to another editor. If the editor has not responded within a reasonable amount of time (usually a month is considered reasonable in this industry), then write or call once to ensure that the editor received the query. At this point, you can politely request permission to query other editors if he or she is not interested in your article or idea.Keep your communication short and professionalAlthough it might be tempting to write long query letters or emails detailing the extent of your knowledge and expertise on a particular subject, dont. As previously mentioned, editors are busy and simply dont have the time to read through multiple emails from overly verbose writers. The short communiques are the ones that are more likely to get their attention quickly.With the right amount of patience, pro fessionalism and ability, writers who manage to work well with editors will be rewarded for their attempts. In the business of freelance writing for magazines, once you establish yourself as a writer that is easy to work with, dependable and not a nuisance, editors are likely to send more assignments your way because you make their lives easier. Make their lives more difficult and youve very likely to never hear from them again.

Education Programs in Prisons as a Valid Form of Rehabilitation essays

Education Programs in Prisons as a Valid Form of Rehabilitation essays Education is the most important form of rehabilitation for inmates. Although prison is often seen as a place of punishment, the public must look into the future at these individuals are released into society. While offering inmates a chance to improve while they are incarcerated, we are doing what we can to create a better life for all. Statistics indicate that when prisoners are provided an education, they gain higher self-esteem and recidivism rates drop dramatically. This is solution works for everyone. This paper will examine the effects that receiving a higher education has on inmates as well as society. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, there is an "inverse relationship between recidivism rates and education" (Open Society Institute). In fact, the higher the level of education a prisoner receives, the less likely he or she is to return to prison. For instance, studies indicate that approximately 60 to 75 percent of inmates who receive higher education experience a better rate of employment than those who do not participate in education programs. The Open Society Institute also states that "financial and societal savings of providing an inmate higher education are enormous" (Open Society Institute). When an inmate is released, says the Institute, "the cost-benefit of reducing recidivism will begin to be realized immediately. If we consider the additional benefit of this individual obtaining work, paying taxes, and contributing to the general economy, and the prevention of costs to victims of crime and the criminal justice system, the benefits are significantly greater" (Open Society Institute). In addition, while individuals are in prison receiving a higher education, life behind bars is easier as well. The Institute reports that the learning environment has a "stabilizing influence" on the prison environment which allows a facility to operate smoothly wi...

Working with an Editor

Working with an Editor Working with an Editor Working with an Editor By Mark Nichol Anyone can publish without an editor. Some people can even publish very well-written content without any editorial assistance. But most can’t, and guessing that you’re in the smaller category is a great risk. Why not hire an editor? What does an editor do? There are many types of editors, with distinct skill sets and responsibilities, but generally, editors exist to help writers produce the best work possible. Unfortunately, editorial assistance is a significant investment. Depending on the size of the project (and depending on how many editors you need, from a developmental editor to a copy editor to a proofreader), editing may cost as much as several thousand dollars. In the old days, writers generally could rely on staff editors to help them craft their content, without any out-of-pocket expenses, but now, with print and online self-publishing the norm, many writers find they must hire their own editorial support. Even writers who wish to submit a manuscript to a book publisher are advised to hire an editor (or more than one) before doing so, not only to improve the chance that the manuscript will be accepted but also because many publishing companies are unable or unwilling to devote time, effort, and cost to various editorial tasks. However, many writers are averse to hiring an editor. Regrettably, some people associate editing with seemingly humiliating or vindictive critiques by teachers during their academic career. Others have had unfortunate experiences with editors who seemed heavy-handed or introduced errors or acted unprofessionally, and are disinclined to repeat the ordeal. Certainly, there are incompetent editors and, certainly, good editors make mistakes sometimes. But editors almost invariably improve your work. And be honest with yourself as I mentioned before, it’s a rare writer who can produce impeccable (or even nearly impeccable) content without assistance. In my editing experience thirty-five years of it I’ve learned that often (not always, but almost always), the more vehement a writer is about how editors are not helpful, the shoddier the writer’s work; inversely, the best writers are the most appreciative of the assistance in making their prose the best it can be. Soon, I’ll share tips about how to have a productive relationship with an editor. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Is She a "Lady" or a "Woman"?10 Colloquial Terms and Their Meanings40 Words Beginning with "Para-"

A Small Place By Jamaica Kincaid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A Small Place By Jamaica Kincaid - Essay Example We analyze every bit of her approach using careful consideration of possibilities and methods that she could have used. A unique way to create a personal touch in a narrative that is created to be a social bookmark, the author’s personal voice which keeps the reader acquainted with her thinking and experiences provide new reading experience indeed. Many argue that if she would have used a third person narrative, the book would have touched a higher realm of intellectual thinking and presentation of history. The process however, is reversed here. Both the fields of history and literature take a bow on this highly original creation by a native of Antigua and it is through the subjective narration of facts and happenings that the chapters in history come slowly forward to us. Using an objective narration would have only allowed the events to be chronologically set in a neutral backdrop, while her subjective narration instantly familiarizes the reader with the bias that she holds towards considering her country’s people more precious than tourists and outsiders. It may sound odd to the wors hipper of white power initially, but her conviction in the superiority of the natives and the inferiority and misery of the colonizers. The need to keep tourists reminded of the colonized past of Antigua has propelled the narrative to a direction wherein the writer is convinced that every white tourist that walks in her motherland is a descendent of the brutes of the past, who had initially walked in as a tourist but had eventually colonized the place and tried to turn it into England, the lad that they belonged to and adorned. History is replete with such incidences and if Jamaica has chosen to eye every tourist with the same perspective as the slaves saw the colonizers, then the entire picture, though brutal, still appears justified. We

Interview with a manager on goal setting and organisational skills Essay

Interview with a manager on goal setting and organisational skills - Essay Example Business analysis is one of the most crucial phases of software development. The results of the analysis provide a basis for the phases that come in next. Any error in the business analysis could have a huge impact on the end product and would eventually lead to customer dissatisfaction (Carkenord, 2009). Questionnaire: Response 1 Do you have clear and specific goals? Mostly True 2 Do you have any planned outcomes regarding your life? Mostly True 3 Do you prefer general goals to specific goals? Mostly False 4 Do you work better without deadlines? Mostly True 5 Do you dedicate a part of your time everyday to plan out your work? Mostly False 6 Are you clear about the measures that would indicate the achievement of your goals? Mostly True 7 Do you work better by setting challenging goals for yourself? Mostly True 8 Do you help out others regarding clarification of their goals? Mostly True (Daft, Kendrick, & Vershinina, 2010) Comparison of scores: Mr. Thompson’s scored a total of six points. During the interview Mr. Thompson stated that he preferred setting goals that were specific to and were short term in nature. Other than that he has worked out various goals for different aspects of his life and is working towards the achievement of those goals. ... Moreover he didn’t dedicate any specific time during the day or during the week to plan. He felt that specific planning complicated his short term goals. The overall score of Mr. Thompson was of six points. The score of five points and above indicates that the individual possesses good behavior regarding goal setting (Daft, Kendrick, & Vershinina, 2010). The six points scored by Mr. Thompson is a clear indication that regarding goal setting he posse’s excellent skills and can use these skills to become an efficient leader. Goal setting and organizational skills: Goal setting is the procedure for assimilating the creation of various realistic objectives and goals that ought to be achieved by an individual. Also, the achievement should be noted within particular time duration (Rouillard, 2003). Goal setting for a person can be encouraged by informing them of what is expected of them. Personally a person sets goals for himself or herself to plan ahead for their life. Usual ly these goals are related to a person’s career or to their financial situations (Rouillard, 2003). Organizational skills help an individual manage time and various resources available to him or her at work or in personal life. Proper management of such resources enables a person to improve his or her productivity and provides efficiency in his performance. Organizational skills prioritize a person’s duties with respect to time (Facts on File, Inc., 2009). Various tools are used to help individuals manage these resources and their time at work. One such tool is a prioritized list. A prioritized list is a list of all the tasks that need to be completed by an individual in a particular period of time. The tasks on the list are arranged in order of urgency (Stroman,

Attack on The White House Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Attack on The White House - Essay Example Space exploration has been left behind by the U.S.A being equipped with satellites apt enough to eye any corner of this world in a matter of minutes. Defense wise as well, U.S.A has the elite position having large chunks of budget being attributed towards the armed forces and most importantly the nuclear sector. Thus, there should be a general consent that the U.S.A is in present world the "ultimate power". Such a concentration of power and authority has not been under calm and tranquil circumstances. Instead, the U.S.A has attracted strong criticism and opposition of many rivals. They can be termed as terrorists in the American 'terminology'. Owing to such a criticism, many sensitive and central points in the U.S.A are at stake as can be observed from the past events like ninth September. The next best point of such a hunt can even be the statue of liberty, the pentagon and also the white house. Thus, to counter the lethal effects of such an emergency certain steps should be a dopted to either curtail or minimize the losses as much as possible. The white house has a place of paramount importance in the U.S.A. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C, it is not only the residence of the president of the U.S.A but also a shelter for many governing executive operations. It was built on a neo classical style between 1782 and 1800. The names such as Executive Mansion (1810- 1901), President's House, President's Palace and President's Mansion were also used interchangeably for it in the past. Apart from its official significance, it is also of concern to the civilians as it houses the museum of American history and art. Hence, this structure spread over 7.3 hectares (18 acres) retains utmost importance. Returning to our topic, any kind of terrorist attack on such a prominent place of a dominant nation as the U.S.A could therefore, have serious consequences. To manipulate such a situation of emergency effectively certain steps as mitig ation, preparedness, response and recovery should be followed. However, such an incident could lead to several severe economic, social, academic and other consequences both within the national perimeters and across the border. Whereas, the rivals might in their own interest benefit from such a situation. But we shall see which impact has the highest weightage as we continue. I. Mitigation The technique of mitigation primarily revolves around the principle of not letting the attack happen on the first hand. Such a step is surely tough but if successful it can promote insurance of many lives and losses. Coupled with this, it may also include the calming down of a chaos disaster if white house is attacked. In the U.S.A, the Citizen Corps should train to inculcate this skill into volunteer's stock of craftsmanship to not only survive but also make the surroundings survive as well. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security should adopt necessary steps to detect any suspicious activity and operation beforehand. Certain gadgets and sophisticated cameras with latest updates should be installed to make the white house fool proof. Preparedness Nothing in this highly developed world as well is perfect. Even the flawless

Warehousing and distribution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Warehousing and distribution - Essay Example Continuous improvement, on the other hand, is based on the lean and quality management approach. It is essential to understand this three approaches and how their application in a warehouse can help improve its operations. This paper will discuss, in detail the differences among these three approaches. The paper will highlight several definitions of the three approaches and point out the differences. This essay will also review how the application of lean principles in a warehouse can improve its operations. This essay will start by defining what continuous improvement is. It will give an overview of continuous improvement and a brief history of the concept. It will further define quality management and lean approach and compare this approach to continuous improvement in a warehouse or a distribution centre. It will give a detailed comparison between the quality management and lean approach versus continuous improvement. The essay will then discuss how lean principles can be applied in a warehouse or distribution centre. It will seek to define what lean principles are and what causes waste in the warehouse. The essay will focus on how the application of these lean principles improves processes used in a warehouse. Deming (2000) defines continuous improvement as a long-term approach to work aimed at achieving small, incremental changes in processes so as to improve efficiency and quality. Continuous improvement is also referred to as Kaizen. It is a constant, deliberate effort by an organization to better its information, products, services or processes. For an organization to attain the desired effect of continuous improvement, the changes have to be totally incorporated with a commitment to making them last. An organization should also hire the right personnel or train existing ones how to improve the process. Kaizen is a Japanese word that means change for the better but when translated to English, it means continuous improvement. Dr. W.