unsolicited? published?

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

unsolicited means without an agent?

published---does writing for a newspaper count as making one published? or is this just in refernece to books?

[Lori Basiewicz]

Unsolicited means they didn't ask to see your manuscript; you just sent it to 'em.

If a company does not want unsolicited manuscripts, send them a query instead. A query tells them what your manuscript is about. Then, if they ask to see it based on the query, your manuscript is solicited.

Published does not refer to just books.

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

so if i have previoulsy worked for a newspaper as a reporter does that then make me "published"?

[Lori Basiewicz]

Yes, it does.

But if you are pitching a book, you may have to sell that experience as relevant to your topic or project to the publisher.

[mammamaia]

...being a reporter does not automatically mean you have been 'published'... if the work you've turned in has been printed under your byline, you have been... if it hasn't, you are not officially a 'published' writer, based only on reporting news that others write up...

however, you can still add 'writing for a newspaper' to the list of writing experiences in your bio...

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

... if the work you've turned in has been printed under your byline, you have been... if it hasn't, you are not officially a 'published' writer, based only on reporting news that others write up...
:huh


every legit paper i have ever worked at doesnt allow this....


"you are not officially a 'published' writer, based only on reporting news that others write up... "


i dont really get this either, now im more confused then i was before

[aka eraser]

If your name appeared at the top or bottom of the newspaper article identifying you as the writer of said article - you're published.

If your contributions to the paper were under "staff" or otherwise not bylined (your name did not appear), you're not "published."

Anyone could point to a non-bylined story and say "I wrote that." The proof is in having your name attached.

Hope that clears it up for you.

[RichMar]

One thing I've learned from being here these few weeks is that many of the questions have more specificity than the questioner is revealing.

For one, it'd be more enlightening if you explained what every legit newspaper doesn't allow. It seems you're just short of arguing with the responders to your questions.

For two, (and many here are too polite to bring it up, but I'm more of a louse than most here) if your postings are any indication of your current writing level, you have a ways to go before a pub with the restrictions you mentioned would entertain you--published or not.

Can you mention the pub?--(or was the question generic?) Maybe somebody here has had some experience with it.

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

One thing I've learned from being here these few weeks is that many of the questions have more specificity than the questioner is revealing.

No--I am a newbie to writing books..and I am here to learn..my question was simple I just needed clarification.

For one, it'd be more enlightening if you explained what every legit newspaper doesn't allow.

you are not officially a 'published' writer, based only on reporting news that others write up...

My interp . of the phrase made me think "Plagiarism" . It's also been discouraged to use ghost writer names/pseudonyms at the given newspapers. It's just a matter of accountability etc..I was confused by it and wanted to understand it better. Is that okay?

It seems you're just short of arguing with the responders to your questions.
No--I am here to learn--you are the one who seems a tad more argumentative. Can we not get along?:hug

if your postings are any indication of your current writing level, you have a ways to go before a pub with the restrictions you mentioned would entertain you--published or not.

yes--I think there are people on this forum who are more polite than you. This is a forum ....get over it. Once in a while it is nice to just post with my grammatical guard down.

(or was the question generic?)


Yes

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

Thank you eraser, and Lori, and mammamaia for yout patience :snoopy That cleared it up for me.:clap

[Tish Davidson]

you are not officially a 'published' writer, based only on reporting news that others write up...

My interp . of the phrase made me think "Plagiarism" .
---------
It is not ususual at major newspapers to see a bylined article and then at the end of it something like "This article was based on the reporting of [and then a couple of names]" or "[a couple of names contributed to this story]" It happens all the time when: 1. A story is breaking on a very tight deadline and the paper puts multiple reporters on it and assigns one person to write it
2. it is a big story that overlaps areas, so that the crime, education and city reporters might all be working on aspects of it, and when the story comes together one does the actual writing.
3. the paper is giving interns a chance to practice gathering news, but they aren't ready to write the whole story.

There is no plagiarism involved and I can't see why you would jump to this conclusion.

[mammamaia]

glad it helped, editor!... some folks do have a short fuse, but don't let it get to you... love and hugs, maia

ps: as our 'fishy character' explained, and as i referred to in brief, most reporters don't get a byline... they merely 'report' and staff writers will then write up the printed item from the material gathered by one or more 'reporters' often adding more material off the news wires... so, as you can see, no plagiarism is involved... this is just the s.o.p. of journalism... m

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

tish davidson I was not envisioning a creditline of a byline :shrug at the time..but I got it now:)

[Melina]

Okay, I have been published. Once. Ten years ago. In a small local newspaper.

Would it be really amateurish to send it (being my only clip) along with a query letter? Or would I be better off, just leaving it out?

[aka eraser]

As with most of life's Great Questions, the answer is a resounding: "It depends."

If you're still proud of the piece; if it's not time-sensitive (ie dated); if the clip doesn't show the actual date it was published and if it still looks fresh and crisp (or the photocopy does) then you might consider using it.

I think a better idea though; that I've mentioned somewhere on these boards before, is to focus on markets that let you send finished pieces instead of just querying first. There are actually quite a few out there. Many don't pay particularly well but if you sell a couple you've solved your problem: you've got current clips to show prospective (better paying) markets.

Another thing you might try if you must go the query-first route is to simply refer to your past publishing experience rather than include the clip. "I've written for the Moosenee Daily Gleaner." No need to specify when or how many articles.

Good luck. :thumbs

[maestrowork]

You have to be very careful about dating yourself, though. If the piece is clearly 10 years ago, it may raise question: Why did you have anything published for 10 years? You have to ask yourself, can your writing ability/style demonstrated in the piece overcome the fact that you wrote it 10 years ago?

Most often I find myself not able to look at something I wrote 10 years ago -- not to mention show any prospective publisher.

[Melina]

You guys are great...I have learned so much from you already, I look forward to much more!

Melina