Why the lies?

Dr.Davies · Nov 12, 2011

My OH is a highly professional writer, many publications in many journals and magazines.

She wrote a story for a True Life Magazine, it was a very unusual and interesting story that happened to her mum.

However, the magazine took the story added lies and generally lowered the standard of the article.

The OH has sold a story previously and found almost the same happened.

Why do magazines do this?

Maryn · Nov 13, 2011

To increase the sensationalism factor, which translates to increased readership. Bottom line, profit over truth, every time.

You have to love the irony of the fiction they insert and their name, though.

You might want to advise her to seek a better market for her work, one where edits do not insert content, or to 'go with the flow' and just make up whatever feels real enough and not worry about truth.

Maryn, pleased to meet you (hi, OH!)

thothguard51 · Nov 13, 2011

Hello Mr. Davies, nice to meet you.

As to your comment, "She wrote a story for a True Life Magazine, it was a very unusual and interesting story that happened to her mum."

Well very unusual and interesting is subjective to individual readers.

Look at it this way, do you believe every movie made is loyal to the script/book from which it was taken? Very few ever are...

The truth is once you have sold the rights to your work, you have lost all control over how the story and its final adaptation. Very few authors have control over titles, artwork or even the editing of their work.

Take the check and move on...

JanDarby · Nov 13, 2011

I believe there's a disclaimer somewhere in the "True" magazines that the stories are FICTION. It's not a matter of "lies," but of storytelling.

Ulee_Lhea · Dec 1, 2011

Blech. Sorry to hear about that.

In her book on freelancing, Jenna Glatzer (founder of AW) wrote about a similar experience she had with her essay that was published in a national mag. Seems like this isn't as rare an experience as it should be.

Bubastes · Dec 1, 2011

JanDarby said:
I believe there's a disclaimer somewhere in the "True" magazines that the stories are FICTION. It's not a matter of "lies," but of storytelling.

Small clarification: "True Life" is not one of the "Trues" magazines.

AW Admin · Nov 24, 2012

Why do people lie and call themselves "Dr." when they're spammers?

Why the lies?

Dr.Davies

Maryn

Baaa!

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

JanDarby

Ulee_Lhea

Fear no darkness.

Bubastes

bananaed

AW Admin