Once I became editor of a legal magazine I quickly learned some lessons about writing. Here are a few thoughts about submissions.
First, even if you think you can do better, you are wasting everybody’s time suggesting you should replace a house regular.
Second, choose a subject about which you have more than just a working knowledge. Certainly, if you have a specialist knowledge of butterflies, don’t suggest an article on ice hockey. So, if your legal speciality is criminal law, what makes you think you should write on pre-1920 drainage law in Worcester?
Third, editors want copy delivered on time. In my first week I had a call from someone at a large firm, a specialist, who wanted to write on the somewhat arcane subject of shipping law. I was ecstatic. Yes, they said, the article was completed and they were just waiting for final approval from a partner.
I thought of trailing it for the next week. Fortunately, I did not. When the article did not arrive after a few days, I phoned and was given the legal equivalent of ‘the cheque’s in the post’. Yes, of course, it was just being retyped. I phoned again and promises were renewed. When I left 11 years later I was still waiting. This had a knock-on effect. I never accepted suggestions of articles from anyone else in that firm. Copy had to be on the table.
The next thing is length. Check – before you write – the average length of the magazine’s articles. If it is a tidy 1,000, your 5,000-word masterpiece has no chance of acceptance unless, that is, you are today’s Lord Denning.
Do not think it can be cut into two or three more manageable parts. It will not be.
Accept that changes may be made. And, less a problem today, deliver tidy copy. Not handwritten with excisions, alterations and additions in the margins. Back it will come.
If it is accepted, check on how much – if anything – you will be paid. And finally, unless it is highly topical, don’t pester the editor about publication dates. Straight to the bottom of the stockpile.
James Morton is a writer and former criminal defence solicitor
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