Frustrated Writer
By mollyrose
@mollyrose (414)
United States
December 23, 2007 4:26pm CST
I have always enjoyed writing personal experience articles and opinion pieces so I figured I would write some opinion pieces on some important topics in the world today like the economy and health care. Well I submitted to places like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and even some big city papers. Each one turned me down. What I discovered is that they are completely focused on the war in Iraq and politics. I am so frustrated because I get sick of reading about those two topics every single day. Would it kill them to publish something different. I don't know where else to send my opinion pieces I tried my local newspaper but they play favorites and choose those who are big shots in town. I would also like to have some personal experience pieces published as well. Any suggestions?
3 people like this
5 responses
@scribe1 (1203)
• United States
24 Dec 07
You now probably have a good idea of what those papers publish, so consider tailoring your opinion piece to the topics featured in those papers. You'll significantly improve your chances of getting into print. Also narrow your topic. Instead of trying to write something "about the war in Iraq," try focusing on some aspect of that huge subject, such as its unintended victims, children and animals.
Another possibliity is matching one of your areas of expertise to a current event. You'll be establishing a connection between two seemingly unlikely subjects and at the same time, developing a unique angle.
Finally, remember that papers like the New York Times are inundated with manuscripts and good stuff is rejected as well. A given editor, for example, has so much space and is literally forced to pick and choose.
Keep plugging away. If you give up now, you'll never see your words in print --- and good luck!
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Dec 07
Have you bought Writer's Digest marketplace? I have used that for years and had good results like pieces in smaller magazines like Over the back fence...a magazine from Ohio. Sometimes it's best to check out the magazine and it's contents and write your article projected at their markets. The bigger papers and magazines already have their staff writers. That might be why you were turned down. It's nothing personal....they have it covered.
1 person likes this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
24 Dec 07
You're putting the blame in the wrong place. Publications like NY Times don't buy articles from amateurs. They have their own staff writers and also use guest writers who are known by the public. If you want to write for publication, take the time to learn about freelancing. In the meantime, there are plenty of place online where you can publish, and maybe even make a little money.
@yanxchick (250)
• United States
26 Dec 07
I was going to suggest this same thing. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, tears, hair pulling and time to get articles published in those bigger publications. You have look at smaller publications and places that are looking for that specific type of content.
Working as a freelance writer first is so critical that I feel many people often overlook it.
I know how frustrating it can be. As the first person commented, check our Writer's Digest. Also, check out books on the subject from Writers Digest. It has a great library.
@kdhartford (1151)
• United States
27 Dec 07
My advice is for you to publish a blog. I write a lot of oped pieces on my blog and it may not pay well, but gives me some satisfaction.
Newspapers generally will only publish you if you are known, that is why I am going more to the blogs. My idea is to gain a reputation on the web.
