Re: meeting writers in person

**J* L* <h*@yahoo.com>**

Ms. Judy,

You said: "As a long-time editor who hated to meet with writers in person."

Can you please explain why you hated meeting with writers in person?

-- 
TC Conner

Dear TC:
In my experience, writers who talk best do not write best. I want writers who write. 

Also,
 when a writer tells me certain things in an e-mail -- how a topic will 
be handled, date submitting, etc. -- I have a record of that. In a 
conversation, different participants can remember differently. I've had writers come back and say that I said I wanted such and such handled in a particular way, when I didn't.

To
 be fair, I've always been a newspaper editor and that's typically more 
complex than just garden articles. But with newspapers and magazines 
cutting back greatly on staff, each editor has to do more and more in 
less time. Time for socializing with writers? Rare anymore, I think. 

To
 be fair, editors (and writers) tend to fall into two groups these days 
-- those who prefer to work by e-mail and those who like phone calls and
 in-person visits. 

For that reason, I think it's good for 
writers to figure out the preferred method for the editor you want to 
work with. (I know tons of editors who no longer answer voice mail, for 
instance; just let the boxes fill up.) And some certainly let email pile
 up (I used to receive more than 200 a day that needed to be read and 
about half those needed answers.) But in my book, it doesn't make you 
popular to interrupt an editor's days with phone calls if he or she 
isn't a  phone person, so to speak.

Recognize, of course, that 
I'm talking about my experience with general editor-writer interactions.
 The original discussion was about a piece that had been reprinted in 
another publication without payment. And for that, I'd make every effort
 available, but recognize that an overworked editor who "may have" made 
an innocent mistake about republication may not have time for a coffee 
meeting. (If I didn't get any response to my inquiriies on this issue 
within two weeks, I'd get in touch with the managing editor. But that's 
just me. I understand the potential downside, too,)

I recognize 
that other editors will have different takes and experiences. I'm just 
throwing out one view. I also realize i sound kinda mean in this, but 
those who have worked with me will tell you I've had a reputation for 
working with and helping writers. 

Best,
Judy

P.S.
On
 the Facebook group page, i vote against. I prefer an e-mail that sits 
in my box till I can get to it. I don't want to be checking Facebook 
several times a day for new messages, and suspect that I would just drop
 out.  I'm a member of several groups and find that while I was 
enthusiastic in the beginning, I lost interest quickly. (Admittedly, I 
don't use any of them to find new jobs, etc.)
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