About whether or not to send stuff electronically or sending a hard copy via snail mail:

For a time, I did some freelance agenting to help out a friend. I got into it because I had some bad experiences with my own agents and wanted to know more about THAT end of the Biz. I had also done some work in Sub-rights before that. Well, long story short: although it is often convenient to submit queries and samples via email, you actually should query the individual market, editor or agent first and politely ask them what format they prefer. There are still a variety of preferred submission styles. Get yourself the latest editon of the MLA Handbook too; it can't hurt.

RE: Electronic Submissions:

When I got into agenting, I noticed that many of the submissions I received as attached files in a number of document formats had viruses, hiccups and other snarls embedded in the files along with the intended submission. It got the point where I refused all attached files just to preserve my eyesight and sanity. Most of the folks sending problematic stuff hadn't a clue as to how the file corruptions took place!

One well-established client sending an attached file of his new novel was horrified to find out that there was an EXE program in it that contained a little video snippet of some rather vile porn. You would only see the video snip when you tried to quit the file. Man, that was weird! Other folks just wound up with badly formatted material or gibberish. It was time-consmuing to have to open them all up, see that there was a problem, email the person and request a re-submission...Etc. Etc.

I started asking people to embed their submissions into their emails which quickly became tiresome. I stuck with that for a while because I was only asking for Treatments or chapter summaries. When it came to submitting full length material, we'd agree on a format and which version of the software and they'd send me a disc or CD-Rom. That way, I could pop it in and correct for any formatting errors before viewing. I doubt, however, that editors would want submissions imbedded in email unless they knew exactly what they were getting. I often embed my submissions in email to avoid file corruptions but then I have established relationships with the recipients.

Basic Query Ettiquette:

Generally, when you first approach an editor, they want a standard Query letter which introduces you briefly, discusses your particular expertise in an area and then goes on to summarise your clippings or other published materials that would have any bearing on whether or not you get the assignment. They may or may not then request the actual clippings - depends on your market.

Newspapers usually do like to see the hard copy once you start talking turkey. So...make sure you get actual clippings of anything you do get published. You can then Photcopy them. Editors sometimes want to see a copy of the real thing as opposed to a list of clippings. Another idea, once you have a good number of clippings, recreate them on a web page that has both a summary page and the option to click on the entire article. You can include the link to your clipping file on any correspondence. I liked that when I needed to take a look-see at somebody's work - one-stop shopping.

If you are pitching an idea, best to introduce yourself first, establish a cordial correspondence, get the breakdown on their submission guidelines and then design your actual query/pitch letter specifically with them in mind.

I know it's a great deal of work, but usually if you snag one assignemt from an editor, you'll get another and another. The less effort they have to put into reading your query, the better. Most editors respond with a form letter to a first time query anyway. If you play ball according to their rules, they'll love you for it. You should see the wackadoo crap that editors and agents get! If a query is going to require decyphering skills, it doesn't get read. Also, short is bes - get to the point quickly. Keep in mind, at most larger papers or periodicals, interns do the first pass at unsolicited submissions and queries. (The Slush)


Working for free..at first:

The other Users here who have advised you to offer your services for free at first are not off base. Regional publications, weekly and biweekly publications often operate on deficient budgets. If they can get a couple of pieces out of you for nothing, they'll be grateful and you'll have the clippings. Also, if you don't make unreasonable demands from an editor in terms of their time and energy, they'll be more likely to throw an assigment your way. That means proof your copy carefully, make sure it's exactly how they want it and predetermine what lines can be cut in advance in the event that the editor needs to trim. Better you should suggest what gets cut so that you can preserve the integrity of the piece.

If you enjoy writing and just want to have a little fun while building your clipping file, you should be able to get some assignments in no time. Just establishing your media credentials will often result in you having access to live performances and press screenings. Even if you haven't been assigned to review those things, make them if you can and write your coverage. If a truly outstanding performance takes place, you can pop on over to your editor's office with an already finished piece and say... "This band was so great and since they'll be back in X number of months, perhaps you'd like to look at this review?" You may not get that piece in print, but they'll remember you for the next show.

Also, just having a file of reviews of films and concerts to draw upon can be helpful. Say you know an artist is coming back to the area. You can send them a copy of your last review and let them know you would be available to review the next show in your area. You could politely request that if they like your writing style, they could request you be assigned to the show. That kind of thing. Another great angle is to show up at the smaller clubs where acts that once played stadiums are now playing.

I did a funny piece once on The Bay City Rollers just because I happened to be at the Club Lingerie (which has since closed...oh well.) when their reconstituted line-up played back in '93 I think. Seeing all the 30-something Roller Girls decked out in plaid gave me a comical Tartan-Flashback to the days when my older Sis was a BCR nut. I cooked up a "What ever happened to" type piece, caught up with the band at the next venue and then pitched the finished piece to an editor who bought it. I was able to turn that piece around several times for other markets just by updating it, cutting it down, fleshing it out, and/or making it market-specific. The fact that it was more of a social humor piece than music story helped. Also, having a personal connection to the whole Rollermania thing upped the comedy of it and I retooled it yet again as a lead-in to a piece about the resurgence of Boy Bands.

Be prepared to let your social life revolve around your freelance ambition. Everything you do and everywhere you go is potential fodder for an article. All you need to do is find the market.

My parents coming to visit one December resulted in us going to an event called Los Posadas.. a unique Mexican/Central American Christmas-time ritual. That resulted in a long but funny piece about my Irish-Catholic family being essentially "Strangers in a Strange Land" in a Catholic Church here in LA. Not what you'd expect, but then many people do not know how different the Mass is from sub-culture to sub-culture within Catholicism. That night was inadvertently HILARIOUS. It took me a while to find the right outlet, but when I did, it resulted in other similar assignments.

I am sure there are many such opportunities for humor pieces in your own life. All you have to do is exploit them!

Email me if you like LisaMFeerick@aol.com.

I mostly write about Language, Folklore, ancient history, crime and other non-fiction topics. I do, however, also cover World Cinema for a few places. I have friends who are regular film and music critics so... I may be able to put you in touch with them if you need better info. Incidentally, while some of my more general interest clippings are now available online, most are not, being too academic in nature or too region-specific. What is there is often just the reference to a title.

Laoise/Lisa Feerick-Pollison