How do you handle writing samples and clips?

I don't think editors like to get attachments from people they don't know. Your query should never have attachments - anything from a stranger that looks like it could give a virus will go right to the trash!

That's why it's a good idea to set up a website of some sort. I set up a blog at wordpress and just for my clips and bio. It's not very impressive yet, but it will get better! Check it out: www.denisebertacchi.wordpress.com
I like the blog site because it's free, and I can use my name in the title, and people have heard of wordpress, so it doesn't sound like a scam.

It took a little effort to set up, but now when I get more clips to post it won't take long.
I also have my good clips scanned so if I want to send a snail mail query I just print out copies. Most of my work is from the newspaper, so I had to squish it to fit on a page.

I agree about the website especially with freelance writing. Two fold, one stldenise is right on, no one likes attachments, they would prefer links to work (unless specifically requested) so a website gives them a link to your work. Two other people can find your work accidentally online and you may get a job that way.

I find a website to be the best way to send editors clips or samples, and I update my website once or twice a month with more recent samples that are available online. I will also occasionally send the links to articles directly in an email, or I will enclose a full writing sample if requested, usually from a published piece (noting where and when it was published).

In addition to the recent clips on my website, I also have a full publication listing of where my work has appeared, with links where appropriate, and hopefully that would show any editor the breadth of my experience.

Good article, Monica! I posted this as a comment:

"I’ve also learned that some editors don’t bother looking at samples — your brilliant idea and well-written, professional query letter can override your writing experience! It depends on the editor, the publication, and your approach.

So, if you don’t have a huge portfolio of writing samples, don’t worry. Just focus on your query letter!"

I put in links to my online articles, or paste the clips in the body of the email. More often than not, people are turned of by attachments. Also, only send along clips that you feel are relevant. If you have no relevant clips, though, just send in what you think best displays your skills. And if someone has no clips at all, don't mention it. If they don't bring it up, you don't bring it up!
This is until you launch a site, but that could be a while.

Before I had my portfolio, I would send excerpts of my clips in the body of the email below my queries. It worked for me, but I knew I had to get a website. I fell into in after going through a difficult time last month. Writing and setting up my portfolio became my distraction during this time and I have to say, that served me well. I have it on wordpress and what's cool is that I can keep track of how many people come to see my work and check it out.

spacekadet, love your site!

I have clips on my website too (www.barbnefer.com), although I am careful about which ones I place out there due to copyright/rights purchased. When I refer an editor to my site, I let them know that I will be happy to send a scan of any of the articles listed there.

In my recent experience, when an editor asks for "clips" that is exactly what they want. For instance, the Washington Post wants people to photo copy their stories onto 8.5"x11" and use an actual paper clip. . . thus the term "clips." Newspapers and magazines HATE staples. . . they will toss them for not knowing the industry standard. They want to be able to easily take the paper and place them side by side and read, then put it back together. That is not possible if they have to rip the staple out of it.


For online clips? No attachments, I agree with the person above. Only attach if you have contacted them and they ask you to send an attachment (it is a good idea to ask what format they prefer. . . .doc and .rtf usually work for most places. .rtf is for the most part, universal).

Otherwise, I provide a link.

I think it really depends on the situation, so there's no fast and loose answer other than "it depends."

For instance, I recently got a gig blogging for an online site that requested a writing sample in their ad -- I merely cut and pasted one of my short stories into the body of my email requesting the job.

A local sports periodical here in Fresno wanted writing samples, I went in and talked to the editor face-to-face, and brought a couple copies of Black Belt to show him.

So I think you have to just gauge the situation, get a feel for what might work in that scenario, and go for it. Because there's no single correct answer, it means there's really no single "wrong" answer either -- the editor's going to like your work or he's not. How you present that work will probably only play a very minor part in the decision.

inkkognito said:

I have clips on my website too (www.barbnefer.com), although I am careful about which ones I place out there due to copyright/rights purchased. When I refer an editor to my site, I let them know that I will be happy to send a scan of any of the articles listed there.

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Same here (www.davidwclary.com/writings.aspx). I recently wrote to my old company and asked for (and received!) online reprint rights for the articles I wrote while I was there. At the bottom of each of those articles, I include their copyright information, in addition to my own.

I have a question about how to organize work in my portfolio. I have a page for articles and quizzes and have set up one for web content (you know, pieces sold through sites like Constant Content). Now, is that a negative thing to have in my portfolio? Should I include them in the "articles" section?

http://aprilswritingportfolio.wordpress.com

This is just my opinion, but I write for Demand Studios for some extra $$ and have no plans to add that information to my website. It's not that I'm ashamed of it or the articles, but I don't want "guilt by association." Kind of hard to explain...it's like someone who does exotic dancing to pay for luxury items, but their real career is classic ballet. My DS work is the exotic dancing. Nothing intrinsically wrong with it, but not something I'd mix with the ballet. Web work can have a reputation for being poor quality so I'd rather avoid the risk altogether.

If I didn't have as many clips as I do, then I might be more inclined to use it. I have also listed it when applying for related jobs like other quickie web work.

I was sort of thinking along the same lines myself. I'm not sure which way to go. I have plenty of articles and quizzes published, so I don't need them to puff up my portfolio. Maybe I will leave out the web content stuff.

It also depends on how you handle your web writing. Do you give it your full effort? I know I don't - I write for Demand also. For $15 they get solid facts but not my polished writing. When I get an assignment for print I go over it with a fine tooth comb, have my hubby read it...Once I even pulled in my mom (a 4th grade teacher) to do a grammar check. Ok, that was my first big print piece...but I take extra care when I get a buck a word and a shiny byline.
A lot of pros look down their nose at web writing because there is no "gate keeper."

I specialise in web writing and I subcontract work to other web writers, hence I keep all of my samples online and expect other writers to do the same.

When I contact a prospect client, I never send attachments (unless they require so, but it's unusual). I send them links to my own blogs and/or to sites I've written for. Likewise, when I was selecting writers for my team, I asked them to send me links to their samples and included a "no attachments please" line in my announcement. Unfortunately, many have ignored it and sent me attachments instead of links. Some have even sent me their resumes, although I hadn't asked for that.

On the Internet you won't always get bylines, for you'll do a lot of ghostwriting for webmasters, bloggers, marketers and ebook sellers. Many writers told me they couldn't send me links to any samples because they weren't allowed to disclose the names of the sites they had written for. Although I did take their point--after all, I'm a web ghostwriter too--, I was a bit surprised that they hadn't thought of keeping their own blogs. If they had self-published anything on the Internet and I liked what I saw, I'd have one more reason to add them to my team. After all, if you write well even when you do it for free, it's to be expected that you'll do an even better job when you get paid.

Are there any specific types of writing samples that are especially difficult to handle in an e-mail query?

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Yes and this is one more reason for using links instead of attachments. I've been contacted by writers who had articles published in newspapers and magazines. They sent me links to scanned pages and PDF files, and I'm glad they did. It'd have annoyed me if they'd sent me large files by email.