experience with unsolicited submissions to magazines?

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I've got a great article written for a particular magazine (was that a mistake?) that
i've run by an editor friend of mine to make sure its grammatically fit. problem is,
when a magazine says they accept unsolicited submissions does that mean that
they actually read/use them? is that common? next, how would being unpublished
work against me if the magazine has a decent rep and fair circulation? would i be
better off submitting writing samples to them, see if i can get assigned a story, and
then pitch my article to them (or would that be unnecessary as it's already written?)

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 28 July 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe this is not polite, but i've watched unanswered questions sink ever since i started lurking here a few weeks ago.

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Wednesday, 28 July 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

If a magazine says they accept unsolicited submissions, that means they accept/encourge them. It doesn't mean they'll run them, though. Your best bet would be to at least contact the right editor and let him know it's coming. Maybe they'll say great. Maybe they'll say don't bother, and save you the trouble.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Wednesday, 28 July 2004 21:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Er, "encourage."

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Wednesday, 28 July 2004 21:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, I find I can get things published here or there but first I have to contact the editor of the mag, and then, usually, hawk it around a bit.

― the music mole (colin s barrow), Thursday, 29 July 2004 02:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I agree... you can't just send unsolicited stuff out and not follow up with direct contact... call or e-mail the editor (or whoever you can get on the phone) and have a quick chat, you'll probably be able to tell how badly they need stuff & maybe how to tailor your query to the publication's needs.

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Thursday, 29 July 2004 12:27 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks guys : )

― firstworldman (firstworldman), Thursday, 29 July 2004 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

beware of the following scenario: your follow-up phone call elicits a polite, even flattering turndown and encouragement to "keep pitching." Then a few months later the magazine runs a v.similar (or identical) article by one of their regulars. Happens all the time, or at least it used to back in the day, and not only to beginners.
Your ideas are your currency as a freelance writer. Guard them with a zeal approaching paranoia!

― jaded vet, Friday, 30 July 2004 09:36 (twenty-one years ago)

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