EDITORS LOVED LOST REMEMBERED

Photo by Fairoesh Nan I Dreamstime.com

    

     I believe every writer has an editor they’ve been extremely fond of. The one that you key in with, who thinks your piece is perfect for his/her publication. Who can communicate quickly and with ease what changes, cuts or additions he would like.

     Alas, in our world today, Editors often move on to other publications, their magazine or newspaper may close and their new job may not allow them to use the type of material you write. You have to go on the hunt and search for another magazine, another editor but you think—she was so perfect who can possibly take her place?

     The first article I ever wrote and submitted was rejected by the editor but he took the time to encourage me to send it out again. I did and it was accepted. I often think of him.

     I wrote freelance pieces for an international company beginning with on-line travel squibs and soon longer travel articles were accepted for their print magazines. The editor became a favorite of mine but eventually the magazine was sold to another company and immediately their articles all related to selling property. My editor (I tend to be possesive) moved on to a technical magazine. Every once in awhile, I write something and catch myself thinking wouldn’t this be perfect for...then I remember...the magazine is gone.

     The search begins again and I think of an editor who addresses me as Miss--our relationship is formal-- but she purchases most of my submissions and encourages me to send more. I'm extremely fond of her. A new magazine (for me) recently published another piece of mine--after we were hit by Sandy, she wrote and asked how I was.

     Now these are editors I love and would happily write for any time they wish. Are there editors you feel the same way about?

Bests,

Elise 

CAREER

A new year and I woke up and thought about how lucky I am--actually how lucky every person that chooses a career he or she loves will be. Most authors will never make a financil killing but we're happy to make a living. I know we all remember the first short story or article we've had published and the first one we received a check for. I ran around my apartment yelling, "I'm a writer. Someone actually paid for my writing." Buried in a box of momentos is a magazine with my first story published (a fictionalized story about memories and my family) and a photocopy of the first check I received (for an article on tent theatre in Pennsylvania.) A supportive rejection from the editor of a well-known theatre magazine--who took the time to write me--encouraged me to send the article to another magazine. Blessings on his head, I think of him often. I offer a cyber-toast to all writers. A prolific and happy 2012 to all. Do you remember your first published piece?

Bests,

Elise

My first cozy mystery titled, Scene Stealer is available at Barnes&Noble, Amazon, Carina Press and wherever eBooks are sold. An audio version has been produced by Audible.com

EDITORS

Editors I have loved--platonically--and lost leave a gap in my life and I imagine in the lives of my fellow writers. The world of magazines has changed along with paper and print. There are three editors I miss in particular. One edited for an on-line publication that sold property in Europe and Asia but used short pieces about travel destinations, restaurants and museums within those countries. Once an article that I wrote was accepted, I wrote a good deal about travel for them. They also had several print publications that paid larger fees and several of my longer pieces appeared in those. I enjoyed working with the two editors as they published the types of pieces I enjoyed writing and they clearly defined the publication's needs.

After a few years the publication was sold and one editor left for a technical magazine--I don't know what became of the other but I wish them both exciting and fulfilling futures.

The third editor worked on a historical e-magazine and I don't know why but the articles I wrote never reached her desk until--one day--my contact went on vacation and the editor found the first piece I had written. It was published and led to two more and a third requested. Unfortunately--the magazine went under.

I guess I've been fortunate in finding editors that are so good at what they do that I not only miss writing for their publications but I miss both their corrections, humor and dedication.

Do you miss special editors and publications?

Bests,

Elise

My cozy mystery titled Scene Strealer is available at Amazon, Barnesand Noble, Carina Press and wherever eBooks are sold. An audio version has been produced by audible.com