

Freelance Writing 102: How to Track Down the Right Magazine Editor

editorFinding the right editor for your story idea can be more difficult than deciphering MTA service changes on a holiday weekend. Why does such a seemingly simple task prove to be so difficult sometimes?

Jodi Helmer, a freelance writer based in North Carolina, says publications make it hard to contact them on purpose in order to weed out inexperienced wordsmiths; they only want their inboxes brimming with ideas from the very best writers. Furthermore, editors like to know that a journalist is a good enough reporter to find their elusive email addresses, because exploratory skills are an essential part of writing, she added. “It’s this sort of test,” Helmer said. “They just really want to make sure you kind of know your stuff and can find their email address before they give you entry into the club.”

For tried and true strategies from writers like Helmer, read 7 Ways to Track Down a Magazine Editor.

Sherry Yuan



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