Susan Milligan’s Post

Wishing you well as you enter the next phase of an outstanding journalistic career.

Journalist and Writer for online publication. In the spirit of Albert Camus and Charles Dickens. Seeking a Journalist/Writer with imagination and 'fighting spirit for the good cause' that these two journalists and writers also embodied. "Le Stranger" and "A Christmas Carol". Rate of pay depends very much so on the quality of the article, which is dependent on lateral thinking demonstrated, logic and ability to get world-transforming quotes or observations. All tools are acceptable, including dictaphones for auditory quotes (please ensure you check it out with the interviewee that they want the quote publicised), visual observations made by smart phones or cameras or video cameras, and information from the internet, historical records held by the private and public sector, books in libraries. It could be as low as $25 and as high $500. If it is a single quote and brief then it will be far less than a feature with numerous quotes from influential people. If you know of any original and lateral thinking cartoonists and graphic artists please feel free to use them in conjunction with your story. Leon E Lester Chief Editor

https://lnkd.in/dzrW9d4F Hi, She is a professional writer with more than 6 years of experience as a freelance writer. All her fields are case studies, research, summaries, SEO articles, blog posts, business management, human resource management, marketing, ethics, accounting and finance. She is glad to use her magical research expertise to bring together high-quality work all the time

Is this question more complicated if you're neurodivergent? As an editor, I absolutely agree that I care more about someone's skills and abilities. But as a generalist (lifestyle) writer, I often wonder if I would do better as a specialist! However, I wonder if there's nuance to this question for those of us who are neurodiverse or come from a marginalized background (me: queer Latina immigrant, for instance). As someone who only learned 2 years ago that I have ADHD but have thought about this "generalist or specialist" question for my entire life, I realized that my neurodivergence had everything to do with why I'm a generalist. You see, my brain works based on interest—and so my career as an editor has always followed where my interests were at the time. First, entertainment, then Latinx culture, then food, then general lifestyle as I became a freelance writer as well—first relationships, then sobriety, and now parenting. There are many other things I'm interested in there, too, and it's not like I fully "lose interest" in one of these topics. I'm just less obsessed with it and don't feel a pull to learn/write/edit about it as much as I once did. Additionally, I have learned recently that there are different types of "generalists." Some of us bounce from one main topic to another (me!) and some of us bounce around topics for our entire careers. So is there really a "right" answer to this question? As Tim Herrera says: "Tbh, who cares."

Friends and Colleagues, If you or someone you know seeks a fantastic editor, look no farther than Sonia Belasco! I am writing to recommend Sonia as highly as I possibly can. She just finished editing a manuscript of mine to help prepare it for the publisher. I can affirm with firsthand experience what a skilled, sensitive, thoughtful editor she is, what a careful and clear communicator, and what a great researcher! Here's how Sonia describes her work: Hello all! Just a reminder that I am currently open to freelance editing or research projects. Here's some info about what I offer: What: I can help you with your work in progress, whatever stage you are at. I specialize in academic work in the social sciences, as I have an MSS in social work and an MLIS in library science, but I can work with anyone on anything. What it costs: My rate is $50/hour. Before we begin I always give a cost estimate so you know what you're looking at. More info & some testimonials: https://lnkd.in/ewJtGkyA

This is a great question. My answer: 1. I realized early in my career I'd be bored out of my mind if I was a specialist, so I passed whenever opportunities to specialize came up. 2. Of the specialists I know (aka beat writers), the monotony makes many miserable. (3. Accidental alliteration.) 4. I enjoy bouncing from topic to topic. I find it stimulating intellectually and relationally. 5. It's probably more lucrative to be a specialist, but it's OK, empowering, even, to make decisions that run counter to worshipping at the altar of making more money.

Once when I filed copy about an inspiring bride for a best-selling women’s magazine, a sub editor pointed out: You haven’t said what colour shoes she was wearing.” On a regional evening paper where I started out, writing about an armed robbery at a fuel station, a sub’s enquiry came: ‘Was the victim buying petrol or diesel?’ It would be easy to get the hump when these queries come through, but for a freelance journalist, this level of detail is needed. Sending a story that ‘doesn’t beg any questions’ is a clear goal. This week I’ve submitted my work to Metro, Best magazine and The Guardian and there have been one or two little questions. I used to take these as signs of failure and beat myself up for not including them in the first place. But not anymore. I just get my head down and answer as swiftly as I can. Unless they’re asking basic things of course, like how old someone is or is their name spelt correctly - I’d be well p*ssed off with myself if that happened. Often details requested have been taken out to fit with a wordcount required. I would say though, national media at this level can be very demanding - so you have to be prepared and confident to deal with it. I’m inspired by the talented and resilient journos who do this day in, day out. I’m helped by past experience of facing sometimes quite ferocious editors as a senior regional staffer and current work as an editor too. But I sometimes wonder if wannabe freelancers would be better served with an intro to just how meticulous copy has to be rather than seemingly ubiquitous advice about how to pitch. When it’s me in charge, I’m as nurturing and constructive as I can be — more than 20 years after a reporter didn’t like my feedback and told me to f*** off in a Midlands newsroom. I hope this insight is useful. My number one tip for anyone wanting to write for the national press: Don’t just get your facts right, also make sure they’re all in there… #journalist #journalism #writerslife #writersoflinkedin #writingtips

How to break into top publications as a new writer (with no clips or previous experience): Come up with ideas editors don’t have access to unless they hire you. How? Let’s say you’re a writer in Ohio or Wales or Punjab. Is there a new trend, such as a farming technique, you might be able to report on that has national or international relevance? That an editor in New York or London may not have heard about? When you send that pitch, you won’t get hired because of your credits. It will be because you have a story to tell that only you have access to because of your location. This, by the way, is also the key to making a living as an international writer. Other ways to find stories only you can tell: 1. Access to difficult-to-find sources or celebrities who don’t give interviews often.  2. Technical knowledge about a subject. 3. Stories from a specific community you’re part of that is hard for outsiders to access or understand. Most freelance advice encourages you to start at the bottom and work your way up. Not me. I encourage you to aim high and land that $1-a-word assignment within the next week or two. (My students get results FAST!) Once you have your idea, you’ll need to find markets to pitch it to. I’ve made that part easy by putting together a list of 220+ publications that pay $1 a word or more. Get it here: https://lnkd.in/ek5KtSnN

From the Veteran Proofreader FAQ page: “Do you have a website? Are you on social media? I like to have a face behind the name.” - Court Reporter Someone said, “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” I am not sure who that was, but it is true. No one wants to hand their money to some faceless corporation or sign a contract with someone they just met. Since we will probably never meet in person, visiting my online pages is perhaps the next best thing. I do have a website. You can visit it at www.VeteranProofreader.com. As far as social media goes, I have LinkedIn and Instagram. For Instagram, I use the handle @veteranproofreader. On LinkedIn, find me by searching 'Troy Swezey.' Whether you are a court reporter or have other proofreading needs, it would be good for you to visit my pages to see what I am about. You’ll find I am indeed in North America, not some person overseas in a boiler room pretending to be a proofreader or whatever. And while you are on my pages, please do leave a comment and a 'heart' or a 'like.' Those make my day.

From the Veteran Proofreader FAQ page: “Do you have a website? Are you on social media? I like to have a face behind the name.” - Court Reporter Someone said, “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” I am not sure who that was, but it is true. No one wants to hand their money to some faceless corporation or sign a contract with someone they just met. Since we will probably never meet in person, visiting my online pages is perhaps the next best thing. I do have a website. You can visit it at www.VeteranProofreader.com. As far as social media goes, I have LinkedIn and Instagram. For Instagram, I use the handle @veteranproofreader. On LinkedIn, find me by searching 'Troy Swezey.' Whether you are a court reporter or have other proofreading needs, it would be good for you to visit my pages to see what I am about. You’ll find I am indeed in North America, not some person overseas in a boiler room pretending to be a proofreader or whatever. And while you are on my pages, please do leave a comment and a 'heart' or a 'like.' Those make my day.