by Joe Wallace

A lot of editors–myself included–write advice columns for writers talking about how you need to keep the editor happy, be dependable, on deadline, and essentially kiss the rings of the keepers of publishing power.

But we rarely write advice for freelancers about what to do when the editor is unreasonable, takes you for granted, or doesn’t respect what it takes to turn in a good piece.

I’m just as guilty as any other editor on both fronts–it’s easy to get caught up in the deadlines, forget what writers go through to get the stories in on time, and do quality work. We just assume stuff.

AND I’m guilty of not writing a lot about how to put an editor back in touch with reality, so here are a few secrets you can use to bring an editor back down to earth:

• When an editor issues you an unreasonable deadline, be honest. Tell your editor that’s not enough time for you to do the article or project justice.
• Editors like to think you’re working for them and only them. It’s easy to forget you have other clients and it’s good to remind them of that fact in tactful ways.
• The best way to get an extension of a deadline is to appeal to the editor’s need for quality, but family and personal emergencies are forgivable, too. Best approach is not to give a laundry list of details, just say you’ve had a family emergency and leave it there… you can explain later when the piece is finally turned in. Trust me, it’s best that way.
• Do you need to raise your rates? You don’t have to ask for a raise–you could try telling the editor that your rates are going up at a specific date, “a cost of living increase”. This is effective for modest raises only.
• If an editor wants to change a FACT in your piece, don’t be afraid to say she’s altering facts and not opinions. It’s one thing to have an ego about the prose in your article, but never let an editor alter the facts. The editor WILL thank you later, trust me. If she doesn’t, or can’t see the danger in what she’s doing, she’s not worth working with.
• It’s good to be available to your editor, but don’t ALWAYS be available if you’re trying to communicate the fact that you have other deadlines to deal with. Letting an editor believe you are at his beck and call is a bad way to go.
• Sometimes you have to turn down work. When you do, say that you’ve got another project you’re working on but you’ll be happy to take on something when that project is done. This reminds the editor that your time is at a premium.
• Never let an editor change the terms of payment or delivery on you in ways that shortchange you–if you have an agreement, hold them to it unless it’s to your distinct advantage somehow to let the new terms fly.