"...and anything else you need written..."

[larrypotter]

A question for all of you accomplished freelancers out there...

I have been sending lots of queries out lately. And at the end, I've taken to adding a line that says something to the effect of "Please consider me to write this article for your magazine... or if you have any other articles you need covered."

Have any of you ever been called by an editor to write something... that wasn't what your original pitch was about? The reason I ask is that I have; I pitched a travel piece about a certain city to a travel mag. They called back and said they didn't need anything about that city, but they noticed in my query that I mentioned I was a ski instructor and would I be interested in writing a piece about skiing. Ever since then, I have added this little line (which I didn't do in that travel pitch). Should I? Do you? What do you all think?

[WildScribe]

It's perfectly fine. Some writers like to mention that they're available to write on assignment, and if it works, great. And if not, it doesn't hurt.

[CatMuse33]

I do that and sometimes it does work. Just what WildScribe said.

[larrypotter]

A slightly delayed response... okay, thanks. I'll keep doing it!

[Jamesaritchie]

It's usually a bad idea. Someone who says they can write everything usually can't write anything. As an editor, I want specific topics and ideas.

Including your specialties and specific areas of knowledge is something else again.

[WildScribe]

James, he's not suggesting sending random letters out to editors saying "assign stuff to me, I can write anything!" He's basically posing a specific query and then offering to be available to write on assignment for the magazine as well (which, since he is pitching it, theoretically contains topics he is capable of writing anyway). Sounds reasonable to me.

And some of us truly are generalists. I've written articles on things that I previously knew nothing about by doing tons of research and interviews. And sold them.

[larrypotter]

Thanks Wildscrsibe... that's exactly right: the general "I'm available to do anything you want to assign to me" comes after a specific pitch usually targeted towards a specific section of the editor's magazine.

Since I originally posted this thread, I have been working with another national editor on an idea. In a number of emails we have exchanged about one idea (we are trying to figure out if it's a good story), I have added that I have other ideas too, and I'm willing to cover something else the editor feels would be worth doing. And I have the feeling I'm going to end up with an assignment. So... with things being tight, and me trying to break into new markets... I'm kind of in favor of it currently...

Also, James, you must know what it's like to be a generalist; with a blog sub-headed "on writing, on life, on anything else that pops into my mind." :)

[Maxinquaye]

I've honestly spent fifteen years writing articles about everything from nuclear power plant functions to West End premieres. You can be a generalist, and be a good generalist - if you're going to be a journalist writer, you have to be anyway. It's all in how you approach the task. If you're in an unfamiliar field, you spend a lot of time doing research and talking to people before you put words to paper. Research skills, and efficient such, are essential.

But since journalism, in its true form, is 90% social and 10% writing anyway... it's all part of the job.

[larrypotter]

Maxine, that is so true. One editor who I work with has been really helpful in giving me her tips for how to expand beyond her magazines (she's really been a great advocate). She said I shouldn't pigeon-hole myself. She knows I have my preferences and my specialties, but she has also called upon me to write up a wide range of topics.

Sure, she advised, let them know you have a specialty. But unless you're not open to other topics and markets, let them know your scope is wide-ranging.