Editor who 'stole' my story now offering me two assignments - WWYD?

Irishmom · Oct 28, 2009

I find myself in a bit of a dilemma over this situation.

I posted recently about pitching a story to a local daily newspaper features editor to do a piece on car seat safety. Short version - the editor loved the story and handed it straight to her features reporter who interviewed my source and did the piece himself.

I had decided not to pitch to this editor again - although, was not ruling out pitching two pieces I'm currently working on to the paper's managing editor.

I got an email today from the features editor offering me two assignments - the first being a fairly straightforward piece with a small amount of investigative work paying $50 with a deadline of Nov 11. The second is a meatier parenting related piece that would involve a lot more interviewing, reporting and work basically, and this would pay $75.

I don't know whether to accept this as an olive branch over what she did (I made it clear that I was annoyed that they ran with my story) - or stay on my high horse and say no?

What would you do?

I have done a good bit of work on one of my own pieces that I was going to pitch to the managing editor, but this is not a time critical piece and could wait in favor of one or both of the above if I decided to take them on.

Just a tad concerned that working with this lady will send the signal that I'm okay with her taking my original story the way she did, which I'm not. That said, I'm not sure I want to burn any bridges either considering that this is my opportunity to have something published in print for the first time.

Is freelancing always this fraught with such complexities?

Ken · Oct 28, 2009

... I'd take it. Seems like they know they did you wrong and are making it up to you. Maybe you can get a regular gig out of it. Might as well make the best of it. Though of course if you gave them a few choice words instead and told them to buzz off I'd definitely understand your doing so and would admire you for it from afar ;-)

Deleted member 42 · Oct 28, 2009

Irishmom said:
Just a tad concerned that working with this lady will send the signal that I'm okay with her taking my original story the way she did, which I'm not. That said, I'm not sure I want to burn any bridges either considering that this is my opportunity to have something published in print for the first time.

Were it me I'd send a polite note along the lines of I'm not comfortable with the fact that you took my pitch with my sources and gave the story, including my sources, to your feature editor, and thus must regretfully decline.

Her behavior was both unethical and unprofessional--and it and worse would likely happen again.

BigWords · Oct 28, 2009

Exactly what Medievalist pointed out. Of course, I wouldn't have phrased it so politely. The "once bitten, twice shy" rule applies here.

icerose · Oct 28, 2009

I would be more like "I will absolutely take this, but you still owe me for the first story you ran with, here's my bill."

RainbowDragon · Oct 28, 2009

How much would the first story have paid? Maybe say something along the lines of what icerose suggested and propose adding twice as much to the fee for these pieces (so when they haggle you down you still get the amount you want).

And I would start hinting that you want a column in the near future, too

And whenever possible I would probably withhold source info from this editor for future pitches until the assignment's been contracted.

Nancy · Oct 28, 2009

I agree with the "steer clear" advice you've received above. What makes you think these folks would treat you in a fair and ethical manner in any of their dealings?

Bushrat · Oct 28, 2009

That's a hard one...I think I would decline too, a) because I would not trust them and b) because I find the payment ridiculously low for articles involving research and interviews. But I have no clue how much that paper pays their staff and freelancers, so maybe that's just the going rate.
On the other hand, the hardest thing is to get that first, paid-for piece out into a newspaper or magazine, after that, it becomes easier. So I definitely understand the temptation!

Deleted member 42 · Oct 28, 2009

Don't give in to the temptation re: the first piece in print.

There WILL be others, and publications with honest editors.

Frankly, letting an editor get away with this means they'll victimize and exploit the next person they have an opportunity to victimize, and exploit.

If one editor likes your work, others will too.

Gozzy · Oct 28, 2009

I agree with Medievalist. If one ed likes your work enough to offer an assignment, others will too. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to land other (and better) work.

If you were to take on the assignments, I'd ask for payment upfront (they've proved they can't be trusted) and a fair amount more money than they are offering.

stldenise · Oct 28, 2009

OK, got a couple questions: what is this paper's position in the market? Is it a community weekly or the big city press? And I'm assuming that Irish doesn't have portfolio full of clips yet?

I'm thinking go for it. It may have been a weird mistake with the first story. I would have to read your query, but it could just be that the editor thought you were passing on a tip. You're unknown and didn't attach clips (right)?

$50 isn't that lowball for a freelancer. I string for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a major freakin' metro paper, and I get $50 a pop for my stringer work AND anything I offer up to the Metro section.

If this paper is the only game in town, you may want to play ball with them, just to get the clips. Do the work, get a nice clip, then use THOSE to move on to bigger and better things.

Plus...newspapers are tight right now. If you paper is anything like mine, it's hurting for revenue, laying off full time staff and strinking the newshole. Space is very precious - if you can grab some, then go ahead and write for them.

But don't hand them your sources anymore

at least until you've had a chance to work with the editor and see if she earns your trust.

KTC · Oct 28, 2009

Medievalist said:
Were it me I'd send a polite note along the lines of I'm not comfortable with the fact that you took my pitch with my sources and gave the story, including my sources, to your feature editor, and thus must regretfully decline.

Her behavior was both unethical and unprofessional--and it and worse would likely happen again.

This is what I would do too.

jeffo · Oct 29, 2009

I'd lean more towards stldenise -- if the pay is worth it to you, I'd accept the olive branch and assume the original was a mistake. Then again, I'm told I'm way to trusting of people...

samcollie · Oct 29, 2009

Here's one more vote for steering clear of them.
In the past, any time there's been a problem, and I've offered a second chance such you're considering, another problem surfaces. As others have pointed out, it makes a point about her ethics and the value she places on writers. Look elsewhere.

Lauretta · Oct 29, 2009

icerose said:
I would be more like "I will absolutely take this, but you still owe me for the first story you ran with, here's my bill."

I would go for this one, and only after you get the money for the first piece, you can start to work for the second one.

Medievalist said:
Her behavior was both unethical and unprofessional--and it and worse would likely happen again.

I second Medievalist, what will prevent her to do it again?

Summonere · Oct 29, 2009

I have nothing useful to contribute, but I'll say this:

This editor reminds me of the Martians in Mars Attacks!

SouthernFriedJulie · Oct 29, 2009

What's worth more to you?

Your writing, integrity, and self-esteem or $125 bucks all told?

stldenise · Oct 29, 2009

Hey guys, here's a question: if there aren't many local markets in your area, wouldn't "taking the high road" leave you with ZERO markets?

veinglory · Oct 29, 2009

If the story isn't local, the publisher doesn't need to be.

SouthernFriedJulie · Oct 29, 2009

stldenise said:
Hey guys, here's a question: if there aren't many local markets in your area, wouldn't "taking the high road" leave you with ZERO markets?

No. You can be published in any market. I live in New York and have been in 'local' magazines and newspapers in other areas. Baton Rouge and Singapore the most.

Sure, editors talk to each other. They also talk to each other about the editors that steal from writers. It makes the professionals look bad. There is never, ever ZERO markets.

Bubastes · Oct 29, 2009

SouthernFriedJulie said:
What's worth more to you?

Your writing, integrity, and self-esteem or $125 bucks all told?

And there's no guarantee you'll even see those $125, or even get clips. What's to stop her from pulling the same stunt again?

I'd steer clear. There are always other markets.

Ladyhawke_18 · Oct 29, 2009

What if she stops pitching? Just write the articles with your name on it. I have a weekly newspaper column but I volunteer. I don't get paid. Still no one can deny I wrote the article b/c i write them and send them in. I don't pitch them. My name is in black and white. And when they publish them, my name right there.

I would do the two stories, b/c there will be more where those came from. If they never pay you, that's when you stop and start sending your stories somewhere else.

Hopefully you get some samples you can keep that actually have your name on them.

JoNightshade · Oct 29, 2009

My question is, when you made your irritation clear over her past actions, did she apologize and acknowledge that it was the wrong thing to do?

If yes, I'd probably give her another chance.

If no, then I'd go with icerose - here's the bill from my first story, when you pay this I'll work for you again.

Irishmom · Oct 29, 2009

Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate your time in responding. The feedback is very useful in helping me weigh my decision.

Again, thank you.

Irishmom · Oct 29, 2009

JoNightshade said:
My question is, when you made your irritation clear over her past actions, did she apologize and acknowledge that it was the wrong thing to do?

If yes, I'd probably give her another chance.

If no, then I'd go with icerose - here's the bill from my first story, when you pay this I'll work for you again.

Yes, she apologized to me on the phone. I also have it on good account that this editor is considered nothing but professional and that what happened with my story was completely unheard of with her, or the paper.

I'm still mulling it over, and will respond to her with my answer later today.

Editor who 'stole' my story now offering me two assignments - WWYD?

Irishmom

Ken

Deleted member 42

BigWords

Geekzilla

icerose

Lost in School Work

RainbowDragon

Perpetuous Revisasaurus

Nancy

Masquerading as normal...

Bushrat

reaching for the sun

Deleted member 42

Gozzy

stldenise

Scout Mom

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

jeffo

samcollie

Lauretta

In the fantasy word.

Summonere

SouthernFriedJulie

Hidin' the bodies

stldenise

Scout Mom

veinglory

volitare nequeo

SouthernFriedJulie

Hidin' the bodies

Bubastes

bananaed

Ladyhawke_18

JoNightshade

has finally arrived

Irishmom

Irishmom