When a Job Requests Writing Samples
You have just been offered a writing contract with a prestigious New York City publisher. Your mission is to find out what they want published, what interests them, and then to write the best piece possible. You start by searching online for their editorial guidelines and then set to work. You finish the piece on time and within budget, excited about the opportunity and the challenge. Pretty soon, you’re no longer the new kid on the block. Your article is reprinted multiple times in elite publications and your profile increases. You’ve got a few writing clients and a flourishing career.
But here’s the rub: Years later, you discover that the contract you just completed actually was a fake. The company had used that particular title to request samples from several writers, and then had chosen you because you fit their requested profile. Your article was never going to be published, or rather, it was going to be published under a different name. You worked hard to create a body of work that they valued, but they chose to ignore it. It feels like a kick in the chest, and it’s hard to move on from. You blame yourself for the waste of time, and while it’s true that you could have done more research and been more careful, it’s also true that you didn’t know any better at the time. You’re not sure you’ll ever be able to put this in perspective, and you question whether or not you should. Should you trust your gut and simply walk away?
Don’t Get Too Preoccupied With the Big Deal
You need to understand that the editor who asked for your article didn’t even have to pay you. In fact, the piece you wrote was almost certainly going to be thrown away. The fact that they wanted it doesn’t mean they have to publish it. The same goes for your other articles. Even if they do choose to use them, that doesn’t mean that they have to pay you for them. You’ve just gone through a tough break and you need to be careful about getting too absorbed in your new situation. Your first concern should be to create value for yourself and your clients by creating the best possible pieces they can.
Don’t Forget The Little Deals
This is the world we live in. People want what they can’t have. Sometimes we do things just to get something we want. In the case of your example, you thought you were being discreet by creating a paper trail. You weren’t. People want to be discreet, but that’s not all they want. They want the best, too. You did the right thing by creating a paper trail and you did the right thing by going through with the contract. Your writing career is now much richer because of it. You just have to be careful about getting too absorbed in the big deals and forgetting about the little ones. The little deals can turn into big ones, too. For example, you may get a call from an agency looking to represent you, or you may get a call from an editor who wants to include you in a roundtable discussion.
Know When To Walk Away
You’re in the middle of a pitch for a piece when a colleague approaches you. They’ve got an idea for a story and they want to see if you’ve got something to add. You’ve got a kid in tow and you’ve just finished a long day at work, but you know exactly what to do. You’ve pitched in the past and you’ve been able to create solid working relationships with editors. This is a familiar situation and you know what they want. Sometimes, it’s better to walk away. You may not like the person or the office, you may not agree with the editorial line, or you may just want to prove yourself because it’s been a while and you want a change of pace. There are many reasons why you might want to walk away, but at least you’ll be honest about it. You’ll be able to look at yourself in the mirror and know that you did the right thing for your career and for your sanity. It may not be easy, but at least you’ll know.
The key to thriving in this world is by being aware of it. You’ve got to read the room, understand what they want, and then exceed their expectations. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you’re proud of your work, but you have to be realistic about the fact that not everything you do is going to be valued or appreciated. You’ve got to understand when to walk away and when to push. Sometimes, it’s better to walk away and sometimes, it’s better to push. You’re in charge of your choices and nobody else. You’ll do what’s best for you. Good luck out there.