As a stringer, do I have the right to complain about copy editors?

[shotglass]

Well, also, Frank, there's a great disparity in what a "slot" does if you run the gamut of newspapers -- meaning those who even work with what could be called a "sports desk."

At my place, we've never run with a system where the "slot" reads a majority of the stories. Each editor handles X number of pages in the course of a night, and has another editor proof the page before sending it to press. What we consider "slot" is whomever has the cover on that particular night, because that's the editor who decides what actions to take if news breaks.

Which, I guess, really doesn't have anything to do with the question here. Just a point of order.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Well, also, Frank, there's a great disparity in what a "slot" does if you run the gamut of newspapers -- meaning those who even work with what could be called a "sports desk."

At my place, we've never run with a system where the "slot" reads a majority of the stories. Each editor handles X number of pages in the course of a night, and has another editor proof the page before sending it to press. What we consider "slot" is whomever has the cover on that particular night, because that's the editor who decides what actions to take if news breaks.

Which, I guess, really doesn't have anything to do with the question here. Just a point of order.

Well, it's true that different newspapers use slot as a name for different functions. At some papers the person designing the cover is the slot and is in charge that night. At some papers the person designing the cover is in charge, but the person serving as last eyes on the copy (after the rim reads it) is called the slot but is not in charge of the section. At other papers, the person designing the cover is not in charge, the slot (last eyes on the copy) is. At some places neither is in charge, there is a night sports editor. But in any case, I can't see the person called "slot" being so bored he just has to fork with a story to amuse himself. It's a busy job no matter what.

 

[gandhithegreat]

I also found out it was re-worked by the slot guy who had nothing else to do.

I have yet to see a slot person who had time to do elective surgery. Think about it. The slot's job is to read as many stories as possible, ideally all of them. On deadline on a decent-size section, he is not going to be able to spend more than five minutes on any of them. He is not going to do major reconstructive surgery unless running it "as is" is going to result in a call from the SE early in the morning while the slot guy is sleeping. I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of what the slot does.

You're right. A simple mistake, it's been a while...not the Slot guy, I meant the REM chief....or whatever that individual is called now.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

I meant the REM chief....or whatever that individual is called now.

Michael Stipe butchered your story?

You must mean the rim chief or copy chief, also called the slot. As I said, he's going to be too busy to mess with something that's all right. He must have thought it was really bad if he invested time to rewrite it.

 

[gandhithegreat]

Hey Ridgeway...

Go fork yourself hoser.

There was a RIM chief and a Slot guy. You stupid fork...you get the gist, you're just being a loser as usual.

Whatever the case, I admitted it was my fault that I did not understand the policy, nor the copy editor's taste, etc. In fact, you're probably the cocksucker that read the story...that's why your being a brick.

Ladies and gentleman, meet Mr. Censorship, Frank_Ridgeway

 

[shotglass]

Would you really let this man edit your copy, gandhi?

Incidentally, if he were being a brick, he would have jumped on your inability to differentiate between "you're" and "your."

 

[gandhithegreat]

Would you really let this man edit your copy, gandhi?

Incidentally, if he were being a brick, he would have jumped on your inability to differentiate between "you're" and "your."

That's greatness...

Yeah I fight that one all the time. Your and You're...about 80% of the time I catch it. That leaves 20% too much for a copy editor...but you get the idea. I'm just typing fast.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

you cry like a 15-year-old girl an hour before her first car date.

i write every week and my stuff gets edited like everyone else's if i decide to show up with less than my A game.

shirt man, it's a part of the business. why don't you quit making excuses, lose the ego and grow the fork up?

btw - if you don't think there are split-second decisions to be made, you either work at a weekly or have never had to make a tough call in your life ... i'm guessing A.

You're a forking hero, man. The Mets and Yankees should wear caps with your initials on them.

Post your address so I can send away for an autographed picture.

 

[Dan Hickling]

I'll say it again...we stringers are in the CUSTOMER SERVICE business first and foremost...we all get edited, we all get cut, and if we want to get repeat business, we take what we can from it and provide better service next time...the only time I say anything is if an error is introduced, but that happens very rarely...I've gotten to know all the copy editors by name at all my major clients, and take great pains to be as co-operative as possible...in tone, in attitude, in every regard...So long as the $$$ on the check aren't edited downward, you have no beef...

 

[SuperflySnuka]

Some observations on the responses to my original post.

1) Thank you all for reading and responding; I appreciate criticism and advice.

2) The overwhelming majority of you suggested that I gently question the reason of the cut.

3) Some of you sound like career stringers, which I hope not to be. I look at my story as my intellectual property, and I have a right — and obligation to myself and my future — to defend it. I'm trying to improve, not to just get by. In 30 years, I hope to look at my current stories and laugh at them.

4) I am not stringing for money. I am 22 years old and get by just fine. I string for the clip and for the resume. At 22, the $60 I get for a story means an extra night out. I'm lucky I don't have anyone to support, but that's just what it is — party cash.

5) When applying for jobs, should I try and string for many multiple newspapers and use a variety of clips, or just the best ones I've written?

Thanks again guys

 

[buckweaver]

Journalism 101 says if the copy or slot guys say 16, you write 16 on the presumption that 12 will get in. The last four inches should be where the copy guy can easily cut from.

Your attitude toward Frank_Ridgeway doesn't warrant any praise.

But this does. That "cut from the bottom" rule applies in any story filed on deadline, gamer or otherwise.

As a writer, put the important stuff at the top -- do NOT put important stuff at the bottom. It almost certainly will get cut.

And if it does get cut, don't whine about it. Find out why, perhaps, but don't whine about it. 12 inches down to 10, or 15 down to 12, is not a huge cut when it comes to a deadline situation.

 

[Ace]

Some observations on the responses to my original post.

1) Thank you all for reading and responding; I appreciate criticism and advice.

2) The overwhelming majority of you suggested that I gently question the reason of the cut.

3) Some of you sound like career stringers, which I hope not to be. I look at my story as my intellectual property, and I have a right — and obligation to myself and my future — to defend it. I'm trying to improve, not to just get by. In 30 years, I hope to look at my current stories and laugh at them.

4) I am not stringing for money. I am 22 years old and get by just fine. I string for the clip and for the resume. At 22, the $60 I get for a story means an extra night out. I'm lucky I don't have anyone to support, but that's just what it is — party cash.

5) When applying for jobs, should I try and string for many multiple newspapers and use a variety of clips, or just the best ones I've written?

Thanks again guys

super,

From someone who has been in the business a while:

I respect writers who show an interest in their stories. How it was edited, played, etc.

But that is something of a fine line. I respect dedication but I don't want any attitude. I may take it from a beat writer protecting his/her turf or something but I will explain (if I can) why a story was edited or cut the way it way.

Your best response is a thank you and I'll remember that in the future. Not a "What, are you crazy? That was my best stuff."

Believe me, some writers are a bit obstinate. But with stringers, I don't have to deal with that if I choose not to.

And you are writing for the money. You just don't know it yet.