Freelancewritingtips.com

Authors' advice: Should you pitch to an agent or publisher?

I'VE seen lots of discussion of this, with contradictory opinions expressed. I've also attended writers' groups and events where the same question arises. It's hard sometimes to know who to believe. 

So when I asked for challenges to address here, it was no surprise that this  was one of the first raised, from blogger and former production director CoffeeCurls. 

Is it a better idea to pitch your book idea to an agent or a publisher?

My experience

My view has always been that for fiction you should pitch an agent, while with non-fiction you may want to talk directly to a publisher. Guidance I latched on to was if you are an unknown writer, there may not be enough money to be made in non-fiction by an agent working on your behalf -- the publisher could offer a tiny advance and/or royalties. This is definitely the case with small presses responsible for many non-fiction titles.

Discounted places: Kick start your freelance writing career workshop, July 2, Birmingham

WITH the date of this workshop fast approaching, we have reduced the price to fill the last few places. Places are limited to ensure individual feedback and value for money.

Usual price was £154 inc VAT All remaining places are now discounted to £118.80 inc VAT .

We have some brilliant testimonials from journalists who have attended our training and can answer any questions you may have.

Please also note payments can be split into two parts, with 50 per cent paid on booking and 50 per cent two weeks before the workshop. We don't currently have any other dates planned.

Kick start your freelance writing career workshop Saturday, July 2, 2011

Friends House, Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AF

Taking the fear out of freelance journalism by Susan Grossman

YOU need a lot of courage to send off ideas to editors. Creative people aren’t naturally good at selling themselves, but it’s part of the job, writes Susan Grossman.

Here, Susan, a freelance writer of more than 30 years standing, now lecturing on the MA in journalism at a London university, explains how to ensure that your story idea is accepted.

Susan's now a writing mentor and career coach, running regular workshops for freelancers on Pitching to Editors.

Q: Why would an editor want a feature from me?

SG: Because, as a freelance you are a vital cog in the wheel. Without freelancers, newspapers and magazines would struggle to survive.

The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World: Book, blog and training

THE Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World was published in November 2007 and can be bought in bookshops and from Amazon here.

See a selection of reviews, plus feedback from readers, here.

Listen to a podcast about The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World.

This blog was set up to help publicise the book.

Here are some of the most popular posts:

Back to basics: Ten mistakes to avoid when writing a news story

The most important thing? Learn multi-media skills

The fine art of negotiating press trips, by Andrea Wren

Should you write for free?

Coping with rejection: Editors are people too!

Freelance journalism: Start low, aim high?

How networking can boost a freelance writing career

How journalists can survive a recession, by Sara Edlington

Making the most of Twitter

Going freelance after being made redundant by a regional paper? Hard-learned lessons to help you on your way

Can you send the same pitch to different editors?

How journalists can reap the rewards of blogging, by Craig Mcginty.

Six myths about freelance writing.

Depression, my story and how journalists should speak up when they are feeling down

Six characteristics of a successful freelance journalist

Real life, real profit? Selling features to women's weekly magazines

A small selection of pitches that worked

Freelance writers describe their writing day.

Ten blindingly obvious things I have learned in my first year as an author.

Think you know "mummybloggers"? Think again!

My work as a writer continues to be varied, interesting and fun. My latest project, a site reporting on holidays, short breaks, days out and activities, is called Havealovelytime.com

I'm the director of the Midlands agency, Passionate Media, and our blog chronicling news from our company and clients is here.

We also run training sessions for freelance journalists wanting to make more money. The following is feedback gained from a London session:

Great course. Up and at 'em now! Anne Marie Flanagan

Thanks again for yesterday, feel very motivated today!  Rachael Glazier

Thanks for a very enlightening day. I feel like a Jedi Knight to your Obe Wan Kenobi. Catherine Goddard

Thank you! It was a fantastic day! Emma McNeil

Thanks Carol and Linda for today and the kick up the bum, enjoyed course. Michael Cross

Had a great time on Saturday. Course was brilliant, thank you. Really useful. Siobhan O' Neill

Thanks so much for the fab seminar - it was sooo helpful and have come away full of ideas and plans. You and Carol were both brilliant. Olivia Gordon

Thanks to you and Carol for a really great training day today - definitely the best course I've been on for a while. You two should add life coaching to your list of talents. Olivia Holcombe

Just wanted to say thanks for the fab course, Linda and Carol - very informative, inspiring and good fun too. Judy Yorke

I'd like to add my grateful thanks for the well-delivered and extremely interesting course - it was great to meet such creative, positive and friendly people and I now feel inspired and ready to take the plunge into a new and different world.  Ruth Derrick

Brilliant, thank you both for a very informative and enjoyable day.  I think much of what we learned will be of huge benefit in all areas of our working life. Amanda Lees

I thought it was the best course I've been on - full of practical advice and illustrative examples. It has really got me motivated and excited about getting out there and chasing down the commercial work. Thanks. Emma Jayne Jones

Please get in touch with me via email Linda@passionatemedia.co.uk if you would like to know more. Our next training date is Saturday, June 27, in central London.

What's a typical return from a day spent pitching editors?

ASPIRING freelance journalists have often asked me what a 'typical' hit rate is for pitches. It's one of those 'how long is a piece of string?' questions and the answer depends on factors such as:

* Who you were pitching
* The ideas you sent
* What your specialism is
* If you know the editor...

Plus I'm sure, many more.

Anyway, I thought it may be useful to recount how I got on recently when I spent pretty much a day pitching. I sent nine ideas, contacting five editors. Some ideas were included in more than one pitch, adapted to target the different publications.

This resulted in:

One 'thanks you are on the right lines so keep trying as we have done something a bit similar.' This was a broadsheet newspaper's specialist online section, in response to one idea.

Pitches that worked: The Cha Cha Slide sent me into labour

THIS is the pitch that bagged me a piece in this month's Practical Parenting:

The Cha Cha Slide sent me into labour

We may have heard old wives' tales about curries, sex or possibly even walking up a hill starting labour - but what weird and wonderful happenings have helped some mums along the way? For some it was dancing to a favourite tune, for others it was the shock of a bill or an argument and for others, a hearty laugh at a favourite TV show (That was me!) I'd compile a feature on case studies with interesting experiences and offer advice from an expert on what to do when the crucial moment begins.

So there you go.

Pitches that worked: Landing radio interviews to help publicise my book

ALONGSIDE other work, I am trying to find time to continue to promote my book and touch wood, am starting to see some success on that score. I have no idea about sales as yet, but my efforts to burn the midnight oil and contact broadcast journalists in the hope that they may want to interview me, is beginning to pay off.

I did a really fun interview with Jeremy Vine last week too, though it had nothing to do with my book.

Pitches that worked: Digital Life

HERE'S s a pitch from April, that was commissioned in July and appeared in the Telegraph last week:

Headhunted through Facebook - there's got to be a catch, right?

Social networking sites Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are becoming fertile ground for employers as companies and recruiters head hunt for talent and it’s a trend that’s reported to be on the increase – not to mention bloggers showcasing their skills to land plum jobs.

But what are the pitfalls for those doing the hiring and firing, and those seeking employment? Does this spell the end for the professional recruiter

How to effectively follow up a pitch

SO you haven't had a response to your lovingly crafted, concise pitch with a hook to die for? Don't panic. Editors are human too.

Perhaps they are away from their desk, perhaps they are working on a special project or standing in for a colleague. Perhaps they picked up your pitch, thought ''hmmn this looks interesting'' but haven't had time to come back to you. They may not even have seen your pitch in the sea of emails they receive in any given day.

Pitches that worked: For a daily paper and women's magazine

HERE'S an example of a pitch that led to the story being published in the Express and Real People, in that order, if I remember rightly...well it's usually the paper then the mag, isn't it?

And no, it didn't really say "XX" - but I'd rather put that than the names here, if you don't mind.

Re: Frozen sperm story: Cancer sparked 12 year battle to have a son

XX, 39 and husband XXX 38, faced the agonising news when XXX was just 23 that he had been struck by testicular cancer. Despite not knowing if he would survive, they were determined to plan for a family and a future together.

Facing the prospect of an operation to remove a tumour and nine months of aggressive chemotherapy to stop it returning, they knew the chances were slim – so opted to have XXX sperm frozen. They married two years later and immediately went on a waiting list for IVF treatment. By this time XXX had recovered but faced regular check ups to make sure the cancer hadn’t come back. .