Jake Poinier of Dear Dr. Freelance (another great blog worthy of your RSS subscription!) recently posed the question of whether editors ever steal ideas from freelance writers. I think newbie writers tend to be a little paranoid about this (you really this you’re the only person on the planet who’s ever thought to pitch a story on eco-gifts for the holidays?). But as I posted in the comments, it’s happened to me, and I know this because the editor actually ‘fessed up!
As Jake points out, ideas are not copyright-able. Sorry. However, there are a couple of strategies you can use to protect yourself and your ideas.
1. Don’t give away the farm.
This is one of the reasons why it’s a bad idea to submit something on spec or write without a contract. What’s to prevent an editor from just taking your piece and plopping it into the magazine as the now infamous editor of Cook’s Source did? Without a contract, it’s tough to make the case that they owe you a byline or money. Querying requires a delicate balance, too. You want to give enough detail to entice the editor but not so much that they can essentially write the story themselves (as in, “here are the names and email addresses of the three foremost experts on this topic!”). If an editor keeps asking for more details or stats, at some point, it’s appropriate to ask for a research fee and/or contract to ensure that you don’t get screwed
2. Talk yourself up.
Another way to prevent an editor from assigning your idea to someone else is to position yourself as the person to write it. Do you happen to suffer from the obscure medical condition mentioned in your pitch? Do you have access to an up-and-coming designer for an exclusive interview? Say it! (And by the way, please don’t pitch a celeb profile unless you know you’ll be able to land that interview.) The best ideas are ones that are so original that only you could write it, either because of insider knowledge or connections. It’s harder for someone to steal your idea if they don’t have your first-hand knowledge or access. At the very least, make a case for why your background and credentials are a great fit for the publication and this piece.
3. Befriend editors to build trust.
A commenter on Jake’s post pointed out that building a relationship with your editor can boost your chances of getting the assignment instead of having it go to someone else. It’s definitely smart to cultivate relationships by going to networking events, sending friendly check-in emails or holiday cards, and helping out your editor when she needs it (within reason). Of course, this won’t help you when you’re just starting the relationship with an editor so see tip #4.
A commenter on Jake’s post pointed out that building a relationship with your editor can boost your chances of getting the assignment instead of having it go to someone else. It’s definitely smart to cultivate relationships by going to networking events, sending friendly check-in emails or holiday cards, and helping out your editor when she needs it (within reason). Of course, this won’t help you when you’re just starting the relationship with an editor so see tip #4.
4. Ask around.
Thank gawd for the internet! If news about Cook’s Source incident hadn’t leaked out on a blog, we would never have known about it. So, before sending a pitch to a new-to-you market, do a quick Google search and see if the editor or publication has a bad rep of ripping off ideas or not paying writers. You can also check the forums of Freelance Success, WritersWeekly.com, AbsoluteWrite, and others.
Thank gawd for the internet! If news about Cook’s Source incident hadn’t leaked out on a blog, we would never have known about it. So, before sending a pitch to a new-to-you market, do a quick Google search and see if the editor or publication has a bad rep of ripping off ideas or not paying writers. You can also check the forums of Freelance Success, WritersWeekly.com, AbsoluteWrite, and others.
What about you? Have you had this happen? What do you do to protect yourself? Or do you think it’s better to just trust people and roll with the punches?
Flickr photo courtesy of One lucky guy
It did happen to me, at least once that I know of. I proposed an idea for a feature to a newspaper–a fairly specific idea. The editor of that section called me up and asked me about it. And I filled her in, without knowing her. Shame on me! 2 weeks later–there was the story, front page of that section of the newspaper–someone else's byline. I still get angry thinking about it!
As a person who has been on both sides of the fence, (as an editor for a regional publication and a prolific freelancer), I would say that theft of ideas is more the exception than the rule. It never really worries me when I pitch or submit. I liken it to being afraid to fall in love for fear of being hurt. Reward requires risk!
As a former editor myself, there were a few times that I was tempted to do this(never actually did it … I’d freelanced before that gig, too). What tempted me was when I recognized the beginnings of a good idea, but my interactions with the writer and sample work indicated that the writer may not be capable of writing the idea into the killer article I knew it could be. These situations always ended up being a ton of work. But then I was at a community mag where the writers weren't paid so my resources were limited. I don't know if that would be an issue when you're dealing with more experienced professionals.
Thanks for the link & kind words, Susan, and you've provided some great preventive actions here. I continue to be surprised by the number of commenters in various social media forums that believe they've had ideas taken.
Like Jennifer, I still believe it's the exception rather than the rule. It's just that the exceptions are so glaring and painful that they stand out.
It happened to me, possibly several times, but only once that I was positive they'd taken my idea. I pitched a story about the first conference for female-to-male transsexuals to a popular magazine. I was an expert, as the girlfriend of an FTM. They turned me down, saying they weren't intereted. Lo and behold, a write for the very same mag showed up in a workshop and asked if she could interview me, obviously not knowing I'd pitched the story. I wouldn't let her interview me, and have never forgotten this experience.
Agh, "idea theft" is probably one of my greatest fears as a writer! There's nothing more frustrating and more likely to wake up the raging bull inside of me than somebody using and taking credit of my ideas.
Thanks for these tips…very helpful!
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Although I know there are really no one-of-a-kind ideas in the world (ESPECIALLY in food writing!), this is something that occasionally wakes me up at 3 in the morning. Good to keep things close to the vest, I guess!
I always worry about this sort of thing – it's tough to prove, and it's especially difficult if it happens with one of your dream markets!