Remember last winter when I approached the editor of our local paper with a proposal for a column idea? Well, I never heard back from the guy. Whatever, rejection ain’t so bad.
A few weeks ago I was reading in the paper and noticed that the author of a little section called “Positive Notes” was leaving town and looking for someone to fill her shoes. Positive Notes was a small corner of the weekly paper that highlighted events and happenings in our happy community. I thought, “I could totally do that, but instead of just listing off events I think it would be better to actually see some prose there, something to catch the readers’ eyes and give them a smile amidst the news.” So, I whipped up a short article and dropped it off for the editor. When I walked in he said, “Oh, I remember you.” Um, is that good or bad? I couldn’t tell. Anyways, I handed him my article and left with a smile.
I thought it was a nice, feel-good piece that highlighted some of the positive notes of our community. Alas, I have not heard back from him.
I think I’m done trying with this guy. He just doesn’t seem to be taking my bait.
Here’s the article…if anyone has constructive feedback, I’d love to hear it.
“Thrifty Thrills
Anticipation mounts. Heart rates rise. Adrenaline surges. The crowd grows by the minute; it extends the length of the storefront windows and is three people deep.
It’s five to one at the Hospital Auxiliary. All weekend long, untold treasures have been piling up in the stockyard of the thrift store and the regulars are here for the Tuesday Harvest. Who knows what goodies will have found their ways onto the shelves and hangers in the store?
A delicate lady with white hair and a red smock unlocks the doors as the crowd streams in and begins madly rifling through musty sweaters and decades-old neckties.
I’ve always loved thrift stores. I adore digging for a deal and finding a name-brand pair of jeans for two bucks. But more than that, I love imagining the story behind that pair of jeans, or the tale that lurks in the generous folds of the antique wedding dress, and the memories embroidered into the vintage tablecloths.
What happens at the thrift store is, plainly and simply, recycling. And it’s been going on for ages, long before the green movement became posh. Our town is sharing the same things, a natural cycling of goods in which the things one person has outgrown are passed on to someone for whom they are the perfect fit.
To the dedicated women who don their scarlet aprons to work at the cash register and keep the store looking orderly, to the men who stand guard at the back alley, making sure no violators try to pawn off items better suited for the landfill, and to the countless volunteers who keep the store running, I say thank you.
I love that we live in a town where people can find delight in the simple pleasures: a warm cup of coffee from a local café, a quiet stroll down main street, and the thrill of the thrift store.“
Thoughts? You can be honest. Really. But be gentle, OK?
35 Comments
i don’t know which community you are in, or anything about it, but my first thought was that your article is too good for a community paper! it’s great!
Honestly? I like it! I live in a small town too, and I would love to see something like this. Heck, I’d love to read YOUR column every week like I do your blog. Okay, so I check the blog every day, but I think the column is swell. And yes, it IS his loss!
I think it’s great. That guy needs to get a grip on what’s good and get you in there.
Oh Amanda- you’re such a fantastic writer. If it’s the guy i’m thinking of well… He could you a little ‘spicing up’ himself. The paper is seriously dull and, in all honesty, I think it would be a delight if they had your write for it. I’m proud of you for taking the step (again) to apply. Hopefully he’ll get over himself and may be willing to add something interesting to the local news.
DEFINATELY HIS LOSS!!! Coming from a small town, I can totally visualize the “thrift store” atmosphere! You could not have said it any better. He obviously does not know what he is missing…I would pay to read your writing. (So, this is an invitation to write a book!!!) Get me his number, I’ll give him a call!
Right. His loss for sure.
I agree with both Stephanies. It’s extremely well written. Descriptive and captivating, like a good page-turner…
If you don’t get a call-back, it’s not because you’re not good enough..On the contrary.
I like the article – and it’s a lot better than the crazy crap we have in our community paper (really – the views these columnists have, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out they all believe in UFOs…). Anyways, he’d be a fool to turn you down…
i recently found your blog through a link of a friend’s link (you get the idea) and i absolutely love your writing style! i have actually laughed unabashedly out loud at some of your stuff. so- keep on writing. my guess is that the editor is intimidated by your keen abilities.
Your writting is witty and engaging and it’s most definetly their loss Amanda.
Your article is very good Amanda. Your writting is captivating and makes the reader feel like they’re right there with you. I’d say “His Loss” as well, but who knows…he may call you today! Either way, good for you for putting yourself out there. Keep trying!
To be completely honest- it’s fantastic. His loss is right!
I think what you have written is fabulous- well thought out, and a creative way to highlight community events.
That said, I used to work at a small town paper, and I know how ridiculously stuck in their ways community paper staffers can be. They’re none too big on innovation, and they assume that their readers are not interested in seeing the same information in a new way. I think if you want to get the job, try writing an article that is more similar to what he is used to, and then once you get the job, try slowly morphing the article into something like what you have up here.
Very nicely done.
I would not worry too much about the paper – I’ve tried to sell an article on spec to the local paper about a topic they suggested and it took so long (honestly, 4 months) to get a reply (FROM SOMETHING THEY SUGGESTED!) that I had ended up selling it elsewhere in the meantime.
I’d suggest doing something for the local/regional free parenting mags (do you have them?) to build up a portfolio. The pay is comparable, if not more, than at a paper and they have a MUCH quicker turn around time.
Good luck!
First off I love it I want to go thrift shopping now and am pretty tempted to finally give away my pre-baby booty clothes. The only question I have (and I know nothing of writing for papers other then what is in movies.) could this maybe be to many words? You were saying its a tiny small article maybe there is a word count and thats what is holding him back? Never the less it is wonderful writing your imagery is amazing!
As ever, your writing still sucks.
I am also from a small town and know how set in their ways people can be, it’s quite possible that he thinks you’re writing is great but that the readers may not be used to your style and the format of your local paper. You could consider sending some examples of your writing to some other sources to get some feedback, such as magazines, larger regional paper(if such exists in your area) or why not even the globe and mail! Spread your talent out to a larger audience and see if you get any bites.
Pretty darn good, if i ever start my own newspaper, ill be sure to give you a call :) you have a real talent for writing, i love reading it!
Yes, it’s his loss. The thing about small newspapers is, they have a definite view of how it should look and feel, and if you don’t “fit” you can’t force it. I like the article, and you should look for other publications.
I found your blog through Angella and thought that I would comment. I think that is a fantastic article! I have always loved reading and find that intelligent writing with a flare is a pleasure to indulge in. Maybe the editor is looking for something a little bit simpler, for those simple minded folks! I am not sure on how the past writer expressed herself, but maybe if you compared your article to the way she writes hers, the editor might be drawn to it. I am definately not suggesting you change your creativity, but maybe just express yourself in a slightly different way. Just a thought! But you have great writing skills and I think you could definately find some other publications that would LOVE your talent!
TOTALLY his loss. You are one of the best writers I know!
His loss will be someone else’s gain. Of this I am sure.
See you in a few minutes :)
Trust me when I say this is great and really fitting for a local publication. His loss, yes, but also be persisitent. And ask him for feedback. Find an e-mail address (easiest way for news publications to interact) and ask him, pointedly, why it wasn’t a good fit, and if he’d be willing to look at another draft if he gave some guidance of what he envisions for the column.
Maybe if you drop off an article in point form?
Totally thiers and all the readers of that paper’s loss. And a little bit yours too.
unfortunatey.
PS. Mr Gaudio wouldn’t know a good writer if it came up and stuck a pencil in his nose.
Sounds like that editor has a pickle up his bum. I loved your article! I might actually read our local paper if it had a column like that.
Who’s Mr Gaudio anyway?
Now I want to visit your community! Seriously, it was really good. Forget this guy. Is there another local paper you can pitch to?
Most newspapers are written at an eight-grade level. You should take the rejection as a compliment!
You should continue to write these and post them here, then the newspaper will be jealous and beg you to join them.
WHAT A JACKASS. I love your article. I would much rather read that than a list. Boo to him.
It’s great, and the fact that you haven’t heard anything represents what’s wrong with newspapers today. The editors have no idea what people want to read. You could start your own and make them run.
I think it’s excellent read, I really do!
But I work as a Copy Editor for a newspaper and I can tell you why he probably didn’t take it (if you want to know, and it’s nothing against you at at all. As a blogger, I learned the same lesson when I started writing news/commentary/sports/whwatever, and it stung a little, but it made a huge difference).
Oh man. I’m so embarassed. I type out “I’m a Copy Editor” and that response is chalk full of errors. Bah.
Basically I can tell you why I’d assume he didn’t take it if you’re interested. If you’re not, that’s groovy too.
But, know I think (and know) you’re a FANTASTIC writer!
I am a very fussy consumer of writing, and I liked this a lot. I always enjoy reading what you have to say, and how you say it.
I can tell you that when I was in college, I interned at a small community paper. They liked what I had to say, but they changed EVERYTHING, so much so that it wasn’t really me talking anymore. I never did figure out exactly what it was they didn’t like, but they took out everything that made me, me.
If you really care, ask him for feedback, what would make this more likely to be published. But honestly? They might pay you $50 for it if you’re lucky. There is not big money to be made free-lancing for local papers.
So, let me understand…you decided on your own that you would develop a whole new format for the feature, and bring the guy somethng other than what he wanted. Then you’re surprised that he never got back to you.
uh…ok…
still, you are hot, though.
Confidential to Samantha: the word is “chock,” not “chalk.”
There are at least a dozen blogs by clever Summerlanders that are more interesting and better-written than the Summerland Review, yours being one. Who needs it? How about a group blog of local news and views? That could be really fantastic, with short bits like your excellent ode to our top-notch Thrift Shop.
Have you considered calling up this dude and asking for some constructive feedback? I realize it would take some courage, but I think it would show determination, flexibility, and your passion for writing. Then if his answers reflect writing qualities that you don’t value, you know why it’s not a good fit, and if he actually has some valid points, you learn and maybe have another job opportunity…
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