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Re: Newspaper freelance submissions

Carol Deppe wrote:
>I would especially like to hear from those who have sold to The New York
> Times, since they run in-depth science feature stories most like some I
> have in mind.  Also, the Oregonian, since it is my state paper, and is
> excellent.

It's been more than five years since I seriously sold newspaper articles.
When I did, I'd write an article with sidebars and self-syndicate it to
major newspapers across the country, including the Oregonian, by doing the
following.  I'd write the article, mark the upper right corner with "One
Time Rights, Exclusive to your Circulation Area."  This labeling is
necessary, because no paper is going to pay for an article that its
competitors will have.  I'd send out the text to the appropriate editor,
with a cover letter asking they email if they had any interest.  In the days
before email, I'd enclose a self addressed, stamped postcard that was typed
with boxes they could check off as to purchase or not.  There was a space
for the amount they'd pay and the publication date.  I'd mail these packets
all at once.  The usual response rate was 50 to 60 percent.  The article
(gardening, travel or food) would run during about a month's period across
the country.  I'd always ask for a tearsheet, and it would usually arrive
with a check.  Papers, like magazines, pay according to their circulation
numbers.  I'd get anywhere from $50 to $300 a sale.  The usual article would
make me $1,800 on average.  It took some work, but it paid off.

By stating that the paper had only one-time rights and the article was in
other markets, there was never a misunderstanding about who owned the
copyright.  I did.  And, I've used those newspaper materials in magazine
articles and in books.  I have never sold to the New York Times, because
they tie up rights, and they do not accept materials that will be printed
elsewhere.  They want to be the originator and sell your work to other
papers across the country through their news service.  Frankly, I feel like
they won't pay $1,800 for a 16-inch article either.  I'd be lucky to get
$500 from them.
Doreen Howard

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