Pitch accepted!

I started my journalism career as a writer, and, like Martha Gellhorn bemoaned, always felt as if the “bloody words would not walk straight.” I constantly have to read my writing out loud and even then Serena has some serious editing to do if I want a nice flow and rhythm to my piece. My tendency to write awkwardly, however, is not enough to stop me from trying to make my words walk straight.
I subscribe to the NYCWriters mailing list and while it’s mainly garbage and self promotion, occasionally there are leads. The editor from City Scoops, a small magazine published in NYC, e-mailed the listserv asking for pitches for their June/July issue. The magazine is free with a circulation of 600,000 and with writing that I match on my good days. So, with my fingers cross and pitch edited again and again, I sent this to the editor:

Hi Larry,
Madonna’s recent injury inspired me to look into horseback riding options in the city. There are actually quite a few of choices and I think a story breaking down the different places and stables to go would be a very timely summer piece. Also, I want to write about acai bowls, a Brazilian dish that are ubiquitous in California but are only now starting to show up in South American restaurants in the city. Here is a stub about it to give you an idea of the dish. It is also a very summery fare and would be relevant for a June issue. In terms of my writing experience, some of my published writing samples can be found here. I am also a working photographer and if there are any photos needed for stories, I would be more than willing to work on something like that as well. Let me know if you have any questions.

Short, sweet, succinct, and a Madonna mention. All necessary ingredients for a successful pitch, right? Yes, actually, apparently it is. Larry wrote back immediately. asking for a writing resume. Writing resume? Yeh, sure. I’ll get right on that. Consulting a fellow journalist and google, I string together a list in a general resume format of places I’ve written (this blog included) and send it on.
Not getting a response as quickly as the last and certain it’s due to my weak references, I despaired and followed up, baring my soul.

Larry,
I realize my writing resume is a bit on the slim side but I would like to campaign for the chance to write these articles. I have been working as a photographer but started my journalism career as a writer and am still very much capable of crafting fine pieces. If you are still unsure, I would be more than willing to send my pieces at an earlier deadline or any other safeguard you would need to abate any misgivings.

Sincerely,
Jackie Snow

That was five days ago, a lifetime in the publishing world. Today, however, I get a response saying he has accepted my horseback riding pitch! Hurray! This just reaffirms my belief in following up relentlessly and using interesting ideas to get you in the door. And, of course, name dropping Madonna.

I started my journalism career as a writer, and, like Martha Gellhorn bemoaned, always felt as if the "bloody words would not walk straight." I constantly have to read my writing out loud and even then Serena has some serious editing to do if I want a nice flow and rhythm to my piece. ...