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Relief Author Margot Starbuck provides us some insight into working with some of the most important people in the publishing world--editors! 

I don’t presume to know a lot. What I know about working with editors I share with you.

1. Know What An Editor Wants and Needs

You’ve heard it so many times that it’s hardly worth repeating. “Read the magazine.” Sorry, I repeated it. My dirty little secret is that I hadn’t read every magazine to which I submitted work. (Don’t tell.) I did, though, use my keenly honed detective skills to find out what these publications wanted. I read it in their online guidelines. I caught wind of needs through an online writer’s group. I listened at writer’s conferences. Let an editor know that you can deliver writing which is valuable to her readers. Then do it.

2. Be Professional

The only contact an editor has with you may be a brief cover letter or email. Make it count. Double-check spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Respond to an editor’s communication in a timely manner. Don’t over-communicate—an editor might not have time to hold your hand. If you give an editor the confidence that you can do the job, she’ll most likely be more willing to work with you should unexpected snafus arise.

3. Incorporate An Editor’s Feedback

When an editor makes a suggestion, follow it. Ultimately, she’s the gatekeeper of whatever publication or publishing house for which you’re writing. When her vision and your vision fail to match up, guess who wins? It just takes a little creativity on your end to produce something which is mutually satisfying to you both. (Hint: It’s going to end up being a better piece, too!)

4. Overperform

If an editor asks for three sources for a journalism piece, go after five. If you’ve been given a deadline, beat it. If you’re in regular conversation with an editor about an article, suggest submitting the material early. That way, if there’s a discrepancy between your vision and hers you can offer to tweak it to her specs. Aim to give an editor more than she’s expecting. In a nutshell, you want to make the editor’s job as easy as possible. Make it your aim to wow ‘em!

Visit http://www.margotstarbuck.com/publications.html to see some of the publications with which I’ve worked. Email me & I’ll be happy to tell you whatever I know about any of them!

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