Question for outdoor writers???

[Sportland_Bait]

There are lots of outdoor articles available in various media outlets. One thing I have noticed is that the same article ends up being printed in many different papers and websites. Is there some sort of clearing house that writers send their articles to, or do they send them to each individual publisher? Just curious how the industry works.

Jason Erlandson

[Ed Carlson]

That gets kinda complicated to explain really? But I will give it a go.

The articles your speaking of generally are sponsor affiliated and groups of sponsors work with media coordinators to network the content. There is definitely a pecking order involved and status gets the biggest press.

To start of you may wish to polish up a few articles and shoot them to product specific sponsors for their consideration. They will decide how it may be used, if at all. It's publishing and if they like it they will run it. If it sucks polish it up and try again.

Newspaper columnist submit to the appropriate editor for their perusal and OK. Shoot the articles to a few and see who bites. Build up a media list.

Right here on FM.com is an excellent place to test the waters. Submit your content to Rick and if it works for him there ya go. As folks read you stuff you will likely get requests form media sources to contribute to their content.

There are specific paid publicist who network sporting articles, and I stress paid...it will cost ya. I think the best introductory method is web based, and from there to print. If all gos well you gain exposure and polish up your skills along the way.

Sponsor affiliation is another big venue and a productive one at that. It all starts from writing from what you know and that very often includes product usage for the outdoors writer.

Type and send, type and sent, it will happen if you work at it.

[BigDaddy]

I once had an article published in a major, national publication. I just had an idea for a story. I called the Editor to bounce the idea off of him and to my surprise, he loved it! Mind you, I had yet to write a single sentence.

I wrote the story and the magazine even paid for a photo shoot. Being just a hobby, I didn't charge for the work. It was just fun to be published (and I did get some free gear).

The story idea is most important, then the content, the actual writing can and will be edited by the editor(s).

Good luck!

[RK]

Hiya,

Lots of different ways that can come about, some of them good, some (speaking from an editor's perspective anyhow) not so good...

I work both sides of the desk (editor and freelance writer) so have some thoughts...

In some cases, it's as Ed described more or less. There are people out there who work as publicists for outdoor writers, but frankly, I can spot 'em a mile away, and I'm much less interested in an agent flock shooting someone else's work than I am in a writer who knows his material aiming for a specific publication. With some publicist-written query letters, I don't read any farther than 'Dear Editor' or 'Dear Sir or Madam.'

Often it's up to the writers to go peddle their work, sometimes on behalf of their sponsors. Some publications/venues have no trouble with product-specific promo pieces, provided there's some education/information in there. Others want nothing to do with them - just depends on the publication. A lot of these types of pieces show up in several places.

In other cases, the republished articles are simply re-submitted to another publication by the author. Different publications have different types of contracts and the fine print varies from exhaustive and iron clad (I signed one that was multiple pages not too long ago) to loosy-goosy, honor system deals (which is what we pretty much have at Esox Angler, for example - works for us more often than not...). In general terms though, rights to published articles revert back to the author at some specified point in time, and they're free to publish it elsehwere. Some publications won't use previously-published work, others don't care. Just depends.

The bad way such things can happen is if the author multiple-submits. In other words, sends the same article to six different pubs without any of them knowing it was a multiple-submission. Two pick it up, and both publish the same piece, likely on the assumption it was exclusive and origional. Had this happen to us once - not a good deal. Embarassing for the publications, and bad news for the writer. Probably no single better way to get on an editor's [PoorWordUsage] list. Chances are, you're persona non grata from that point on.

Generally two reliable ways to get your foot in the door with a publication:

1.) Have an idea, and write a SHORT query letter to the editor with a summary of your piece, or your idea, then invite a response.

2.) Send something in 'over the transom' - a finished piece, with a cover/query letter.

In both cases, be brief, polite, and communicate your willingness to work with their requirements. The editor wants to like your work - finding new writers makes their day. But you're much more likely to make a good impression with a good query letter that's to the point and professional.

Anyhow - ramble ramble.

Happy Holidays all...

RK