What Will You Share? (Call For Guest Posters!)

Hey, you! I'm offering an opportunity for guest posters on my blog...and I bet you have something to share!

-photos and details of a renovation/decorating project, craft or recipe
-a business or product you want to promote
-a blog or website of your own that you want to get more eyes on
-parenting musings or advice
-fashion or beauty tips
-something from a grandparent's perspective
-perhaps you're a fellow teaching colleague with stories or tips to share with parents
-or...?????

You don't have to be a writer/blogger or even have such aspirations - I love to share perspectives from a range of people (and I'm happy to do a quick edit if you're worried about the particulars!)

Feel free to leave a comment, connect on social media or email katewinn77 at yahoo dot ca and let me know what you're thinking - we can figure out the details!

Adventures in Freelance Writing Volume VI: From Print to Television - and Exciting News!

I became a talk show junkie at an early age, something I blame firmly on my mother. Kathie Lee, Dini, Marilyn...if we were at home on a weekday, they were chatting in the living room.

As an adult, I'd be happy with the TV on all day long, whether I'm actually sitting and staring or (far more often) going about my business with background conversation, and my first choice is always a talk (or talk/news/entertainment) show.

In addition to interviewing several hosts for this blog, I've gone behind-the-scenes at many of my favourite shows: Regis and Kelly (yes, I said Regis - this was a long time ago, and by "behind-the-scenes" I mean I was generously invited backstage for a photo op), Cityline, The Marilyn Denis Show, Canada AM, ET Canada and The Social.

I love the talk show format of delivering information, and after I got my writing career rolling, I wondered how I could parlay that into opportunities to share helpful educational information for parents on screen as well as in print.

The first thing I did was invite our beloved first babysitters (who are sisters) to come over and help me with a mock segment - which took a ton of work and preparation. With one lovely young woman beside me reading the questions and the other behind the flipcam, we put together a demo video...but what to do with it? Well, why not start with a huge national show? I tried...and was very politely turned down.

I knew from the progress of my magazine writing that starting local is a much better bet, so I contacted an acquaintance who was on leave from Peterborough's CHEX Daily (she now runs her own fantastic website, MichelleFerreri.com). She enthusiastically encouraged me to share my idea for an education segment for parents, so I emailed the show, and then waited. And then followed up...and received a phone call from cohost and coproducer Teresa Kaszuba. We had a great conversation, and I made my first appearance on July 31, 2014.

All day long, I felt sick to my stomach. I grossly overprepared (with pages of typed points for a three minute segment) and overanalyzed every aspect of my appearance (I shouldn't have worried so much - they're not HD yet).

The chat (on keeping learning going over the summer) went really well, and I was invited to return biweekly for a segment Teresa named "Teacher, Teacher!" Over the past year, I've been back 24 times, covering topics like navigating the report card, parent/teacher interviews, what teachers really want for Christmas, helping kids get organized, and getting involved at your child's school (you can find links to every segment in the sidebar of my blog).

Teresa is a mom (and cohost Mike Judson is both a new dad and husband to a teacher) so they have great ideas to offer, but most often give me creative control to choose a timely/seasonal topic and prepare my points. Sometimes their questions throw me, but I've definitely learned how to think on my feet! While I love the experience, and I have learned SO much, I swear it's not just about me - I truly to hope that I can help empower parents to support their children's educations.

Also important: TV style! Here are some of my CHEX Daily looks (I haven't repeated many outfits, but my hairstyles don't change too much):

(I had recently done my hair donation when I made my CHEX debut - it won't be this short again!)

I made it onto the chalk wall!

Once I had several months of TV experience under my belt, I pitched a segment idea to Canada AM. I was then invited to come in April and get my feet wet as part of a parenting panel (with Maureen Denis and Chris Boddy) sharing ideas and opinions about babysitters (funny to think that two of our babysitters actually helped launch me on the TV track!)

You can read all the early-morning details of my Canada AM segment here.

Yes, yes, but what's the exciting news, you ask? Okay, here goes! You may have already seen this announcement on social media, but...I am going to be making my debut appearance on The Social on Friday, September 4th!

My dream used to be to host a Canadian incarnation of The View, and while I may be several slightly giant steps away from hosting, I have been invited to come on this show that I love so much and chat about how parents can support their children's education now that the new school year is upon us.

Of course I'll be posting about the whole experience right here afterwards, but if you want up-to-the-minute info be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - I'd love your support there too! The Social airs live on CTV at 1 p.m.

Here's a photo of me on set of The Social and with the hosts from when I went behind-the-scenes a year ago. Can't wait to share updated pics soon!

Adventures in Freelance Writing Volume V: Editors Share Pitching Tips

This post is dedicated to Tracy Chappell (1973-2015), the late senior editor of Today's Parent. It seems fitting as Tracy accepted several of my pitches - though admittedly not all! She was a very supportive editor, and I was lucky to have worked with her. It's hard to imagine the loss of a mother with girls the same ages as mine, and I join the Today's Parent team, along with her family and friends, in mourning her passing. 

**************************************

One of the biggest questions freelancers have is how to perfect the art of the pitch. While every editor is different, I thought it would be informative - and fun - to ask a few of my favourite editors for their best gem of advice for writers trying to break into their publications.

Here are their thoughtful contributions, in their own words:

Sandra Martin

Multiplatform Editorial Director, Canadian Living

@SandraEMartin

A mistake that I see rookies and longtime pro writers make over and over is to pitch a story that's been covered by the magazine within the past year. Take some time and read a year's worth of back issues (this is literally one of the first things you're taught in journalism school). It could be that a story merits updating with new information the freelancer has access to; if that's the case, then include that in your pitch, along with why the update is merited.

**********

Karine Ewart

Editor-in-Chief, Chatelaine

@karine_ewart

My number one recommendation for all freelancers is, if they are new to the publication they are pitching, contact someone closer to the bottom of the masthead. Going straight to the EIC may not be the most efficient way of getting your pitch the attention it deserves. Look for an assistant or associate editor to reach out to, as they are interested in growing their roster of fabulous writers, too. Finally, face-to-face meetings are much more effective than emails or random phone calls; take a junior editor out for a coffee and they will be much more willing to listen to you.

*********

Sasha Emmons

Editor-in-Chief, Today's Parent

@semmons

The most important thing I look for — and I rarely see — is to build a case for your pitch using digital metrics. Even for a story that originates in print, you can show there’s an audience for it by using analytics from free tools like Buzzsumo, Google Trends, and the Google Adwords Keyword Tool. So, for instance, if you can show that searches for “ADHD" spike at a certain time of year, or that searches for “ADHD medication” are on the rise, you’re proving that there’s an audience for your story. Add in a unique POV, and you’ve got an assignment!

*********

Janice Biehn

Editor-in-Chief, Parents Canada

@JaniceBiehn

• Do as much research as you can to determine whether the publication has recently covered the same topic
• I get a lot of pitches from bloggers. If you are a blogger, be sure to demonstrate that you understand the difference between a blog post and a piece of reporting and that you will do the reporting required for a magazine article
• If you are sending a link to writing samples, send the actual links, not a link to your website or blog. We don’t have time to parse through and look for your writing samples. We are also very lazy that way. : )

*********

Sydney Loney

Health Director, Chatelaine

Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Health and Lifestyle

@sydneyloney

I get so many pitches and often they start with long, rambling paragraphs that talk around the idea, or explain at length who the writer is. No one has time to read those kinds of pitches anymore. So, my advice is to "think sales." Basically, your job as a freelancer is to sell your idea to an editor – and if you can't write your idea in a quick and compelling single sentence (the elevator sales pitch), then you don't have a story. So, lead with that and then quickly and smartly substantiate your idea to show both that you've done your research (i.e. that you know the editor, the magazine, the audience and why your story is timely) and that you have a solid plan for executing the story.

*********

Amy Bielby

Managing Editor, Parents Canada

@BunOutOfTheOven

1: Get the name of the magazine right!!! We get so many pitches for Today’s Parent or Canadian Family—and that drives me nuts. I usually won’t respond.

2: In school, I learned how to write queries and they were quite long—typically a page in Word. Don’t do that. I like short, to-the-point queries. If you are pitching a 500-word article, the pitch itself should NOT be 500 words. Get to the point. Describe the main points of the article, the sources you have in mind, and in which section of the magazine it would appear.

3: Don’t suggest a column or a series of articles. Do you know how hard it is to land a column? And most magazines do not have the room for a regular column.

*********

Thanks so much for taking the time to share, ladies - and I hope your inboxes show the results!

Random observation: my husband always tells me that I need to smile with my teeth more on TV and in photos...and I noticed all of these ladies use gorgeous teeth-smile shots on social media. Not at all related to pitching, but no post of mine would be complete without one of my deep thoughts.

You can catch up on the entire Adventures in Freelancing series here:

Volume I - My Start, and Top 5 Tips For New Writers

Volume II - More Tips

Volume III - A Successful Query Letter, You Got the Job - Now What? 
and Make Your Blog Work for You

Volume IV - How To Thicken the Skin

Is It Wrong To Ask About Women About Work/Family Balance?

When I did my very first blog interview with Canada AM's Marci Ien five years ago, I asked the "work/life balance" question, to which she gave this brilliant reply:

"My family, my friends and my job make me happy, and I want all of it. I'm not going to be as hard on myself as I have been in the past; I don't believe in balance. Everyone always asks me about this, and I really don't. I'm not perfect, maybe I'll get two out of five things right one day, because we can't do it all. It's not fair. I'm allergic to balance!"

I don't think I asked it again, in the same way, after that. However, that doesn't mean I think it's a bad question.

A few months ago, Jennifer Garner gave a speech at the ELLE Women of the Year event where she shared that she and husband Ben Affleck had recently both spent a day doing press junkets. While she was asked about balancing work and family by every single reporter, all day long, Ben was not asked once. Instead, he was asked about the breasts of one of his costars.

Okay.

The thing is, when I (and I believe the majority of female interviewers) ask this question, it is not a judgment, and not meant to be negative. For me, it's "You're like me, with kids and employment - do you have the same struggles? Can we bond over this? Do you have any tips that might help me? Can your perspective help me do better in some way?" I always ask about their work, but while my readers may not identify with the specific project we're discussing, they will almost always be able to connect to the "mom" side of the woman. Whether we're humble bloggers or A-list journalists, we want to please our readers and ask the questions they want answered. Which perhaps says something about those who posed the breasts question to Ben Affleck.- and what they think of their readers.

It's kind of like the go-to "Who are you wearing?" question asked of women ad nauseam throughout the awards season. Reporters assume viewers want to know. (Quite frankly, while I love checking out the fashion, I truly do not care "who" they are wearing, but I get that it's an art form and an industry, and the question must be asked.) 

Photo Getty Images

When I ask women how they juggle work and family... 

What I don't mean: You shouldn't be trying to have both.
What I do mean: I'm trying to have both, and so are many of my readers.

What I don't mean: You're getting it wrong.
What I do mean: Are we getting it wrong?

What I don't mean: You should be worrying about this more than your partner.
What I do mean: We may be worrying about this more than our partners.

What I don't mean: You should feel guilty.
What I do mean: Do you feel guilty? Sometimes we do. Or we don't...but then think we're supposed to.

However, I know that the question can sometimes hurt. Cityline host Tracy Moore posted on social media a few months ago that an older woman (not a journalist) approached her at an after-hours event and lamented something to the effect of "It seems like you're always working - when do you ever see your children?" Ouch.

While Jennifer Garner asserted that she thinks it's time to change the conversation, she didn't say that we can't ask women about their families. Perhaps what would be the most refreshing change is if we also asked men about theirs.

P.S. I'm hoping to interview Jennifer in the future, and I promise not to ask that question. Or anything about any of her costars' breasts.

Ben and Jessica Mulroney's Wedding Flashback for Today's Bride

I'm excited to share a link to an article that I had a lot of fun writing: a wedding flashback from Ben and Jessica Mulroney for the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of Today's Bride magazine.

I thought current brides-to-be might be interested in some photos, memories and advice from a couple who have already been down the aisle (back in 2008), and while I won't be planning a wedding again (until I help my girls!) I still thought it was neat to get perspectives from both Ben and Jess on their weekend-long nuptials. Wait 'til you see the shot of their "Hallowedding"!

Photo courtesy Ben and Jessica Mulroney

Check out all the details and more pics here:
http://www.todaysbride.ca/articles/a-look-back-at-ben-and-jessica-mulroney-s-wedding

P.S. What a difference a few years makes! Ben and Jessica are now the proud parents of twin sons Brian and John and daughter Ivy.

Photo by JJ Thompson

Which Canadian couple's wedding flashback would you like to see featured in Today's Bride? Let me know!

My CHEX Daily Debut: Keep Kids Learning Over the Summer

Thursday night I made my debut as an education guest on the CHEX Daily Show!

I was super nervous, but once we got started it was great, and Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson were very easy to talk to. The time went so fast, and I was WAY overprepared in terms of content (a lesson for next time), but I was happy with how my outfit, hair and makeup looked on camera, which is much more important anyway. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

Here's the video, if you missed it (I come on a few seconds after the cougar. By which I mean the animal at the zoo.)





A point I really wanted to make and of course forgot:

Modeling reading for your kids is so important too, and that might fit in very nicely with your summer plans. Just think: when you curl up with a good book or magazine and tell the kids that no one can bug mommy during her special reading time, that's actually GOOD parenting. Remember that.

Also: when incorporating real-life Math into activities with your kids, don't forget that they're learning everything in metric. We are so used to talking about measurements like heights and weights the "old fashioned" way (because of previous generations, but also due to American influence) but kids need to talk about how many metres and centimetres tall people are, and how many grams and kilograms things weigh. I have trouble with that myself! Even with temperature, I have caught myself telling the girls the outside temp in degrees Celsius, then five minutes later reporting the heat of the pool in Fahrenheit. No wonder kids get confused!

Main point of the segment: summer is for fun and relaxation, not "WORK", but there are a lot of natural, easy-to-incorporate activities for kids that will keep their brains sharp over the summer!

Let me know what you think, and if you have any ideas for future segments you'd like to see. I'll also be enlisting an email group of fellow teachers to give input on topics every couple of weeks (so I'm representing a range of educators). Please give me a shout if you'd like to be part of that! (katewinn77 at yahoo dot ca)

Thanks to everyone for all of your support for this venture through email, texts, Twitter, Facebook...I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life.

What Phase Are You At? Newborn Poo, Loose Teeth, Performance Anxiety and Teen Shaving

I know, I know, the title is a bit of a wordy mish-mash (which covers a huge range of parenting phases), but today I want to share links to my most recent published articles.

From Today's Parent:

Newborn Guide to Infant Poop (I joked on Twitter that this was the "dirtiest" article I've written yet!)

Kids and Performance Anxiety (this one applies to sports, music, classroom, etc. "Stage fright" can happen anywhere!)

From Parents Canada:

The Loose Tooth Guide (when they'll fall out, what to expect, and some Tooth Fairy tidbits thrown in)

Teen Shaving Tips (maybe not just for teens. My eight year old has already noted her lack of appreciation for her dark leg hair. Sorry, kiddo.)

Thanks to all of the amazing parents and sources who contributed to these articles. I couldn't do it without you! Plus a shout out to the supportive editors that I'm lucky enough to work with!

I have a few more exciting things in the works...I'll keep you posted!

When To Let Kids Solve Their Own Problems -and- Does Your Child Have Performance Anxiety?

A quick writing update:

In the May issue of Today's Parent (or at the link below) you can find my latest article, "Problem Solvers", on when (and how) to let kids solve their own problems, whether it's an issue with a peer or an adult.

As a teacher, I certainly have strong feelings about this, and it took effort - and some editing - to avoid showing a bias against helicopter parenting.

With expert input from family therapist Jennifer Kolari as well as real-parent experiences, this article highlights why it's important to be there for your child for guidance and support, while at the same time encouraging him or her to take action to solve problems as independently as possible.

Check out the full article here:
http://www.todaysparent.com/kids/school-age/how-to-help-kids-solve-their-own-problems/

Coming up next, I need more parent input...maybe from you?

*Does your child suffer from performance anxiety (recitals/concerts, class presentations, etc.)?

OR

*Did you recently go through the "first bra" phase with your tween? (Thanks to one mom who already agreed to chat with me.)

I never use real names without permission, and I welcome input from moms and dad across Canada. We can chat on the phone or over email, whichever is more convenient. It's so important to share the perspectives of real Canadian families in these articles, so I really appreciate any contributions I can get! You can leave a comment below, contact me through Twitter or Facebook, or fire me an email at katewinn77 at yahoo dot ca.

As always, thanks to my readers for their continuing support!

Adventures In Freelance Writing - Volume IV: How To Thicken the Skin

In case you missed the rest of this series:

Adventures In Freelance Writing - Volume I
Adventures In Freelance Writing - Volume II
Adventures In Freelance Writing - Volume III

This time around, I'm addressing one huge topic: my very thin skin.(I will limit this discussion to writing-related matters.)

For the past 14 years, I have been the one to assign work and assess it with a red pen.

Believe me, it is very difficult to switch roles.

Very early on in my freelance writing career (as in, three or four years ago) I got used to having pitches rejected. I understood that, in the beginning, I was completely unknown, and also that magazines only have a certain amount of space.

I made sure to research the publications, pitch relevant, not-yet-done ideas to the right editors (if I could find their contact information), but was often met with silence. By which I mean an empty Inbox. Sometimes there would be a "thanks but no thanks" form response, or very occasionally a personalized rejection. If a reason was given, even better, as that could help tailor future pitches.

I also did a lot of reading (books and online) about freelance writing, and realized that this was the norm, especially for new writers, and nothing to take personally.

Things actually got harder, though, when pitches started getting accepted. To this day, I still get a rush when an editor replies and likes my idea. I get to work right away, and I always give my best, most professional, well-researched and well-written work.

But get this: editors don't think my writing is perfect. No, seriously.

The hardest part of writing for me now occurs every time I get an email from an editor with notes and revisions to be made. The first kicker is the blow to the ego that comes with learning there was something someone didn't like about my work (Inner voice: "How could she think that part was unclear? What does she mean, 'not reader-friendly'?") and the second is that now there's a big addition to my To-Do list. (Please note that the voice remains "inner". There's nothing to be gained by acting defensive.)

Now, let me be clear: virtually every editor I have ever worked with has been professional, kind and supportive. I have never dealt with anything even close to unfair criticism or nastiness (though some are much more critical than others). And sometimes, I will think that an editor totally hates my writing, and then the second draft will come back with "Thanks for your great work on this article!" and the offer of another assignment, which speaks volumes.

The important lesson I have learned from all of this: the job of editors is to...wait for it...edit.

Have you picked yourself up off the floor after that shocker? Some editors tweak here and there and some want to make their voice present in all articles they approve, but all want to do their job to the best of their abilities, and to ensure quality content for their magazines. And I'm pretty sure, though most writers don't talk about it, that I'm not the only one in history who has ever had to make revisions to a first draft. (If anyone wants to share to make me feel better, I'd really appreciate it!)

Have I cried when reading feedback? I sure have. Lost sleep? On a regular basis. I even used one experience as a teachable moment for my students, who are actually way better about accepting constructive criticism than I am.

But the bottom line is that I am so privileged to be part of the world of national magazine writing - a dream of mine for a long time. I also consider myself lucky that, just as in my role as a teacher, I can continue to be a lifelong learner. Navigating the magazine biz and figuring out how to improve and hone my own writing - these are skills I wouldn't be developing without the expertise, support and trust of all of these wonderful editors.

I'm not sure if there's anything I can do to make my skin any thicker, but the right perspective can act a bit like a numbing cream to help soften the blow.

Should Kids Be Allowed To Dye Their Hair? My Today's Parent Article

This was a fun article to write, as parents have varying opinions on the matter, and even the medical experts don't yet have definitive data one way or the other. There are studies involving rats ingesting huge amounts of the chemicals found in hair dye (which don't look good), but those don't exactly correlate perfectly with humans using the ingredients externally (and perhaps only occasionally/rarely) and then washing them off.

Here's a quick snapshot of the article in print in the March issue (I always love to see that!)

To read the entire article online, visit: http://www.todaysparent.com/kids/tween-and-teen/hair-dye/

Thanks again to Sue, Sally, Kim, "Kelly", Amber, Alyson Schafer and Dr. Lanphear for their contributions!

What do you think - should kids be colouring their hair?

The Happiness Project: March

This year I'm following along with one of my favourite books, Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project", to find ways to make life even better - not just for me, but those around me who benefit from my happiness!

Gretchen's goals for March were based on the theme of "Aim Higher: Work", and were:

• Launch a blog
• Enjoy the fun of failure
• Ask for help
• Work smart
• Enjoy now

As a productivity junkie (I get high from crossing things off my list) work is very important to me. I have two paying jobs (teaching and writing) and there's also the whole running-a-household hobby that so many of us putter at, meaning there's always work to be done. On a writing-related note, I love this quote from Rubin: "I love writing, reading, research, note taking, analysis and criticism. (Well, I don't actually love writing, but then practically no writer ever loves the writing part.)" 

Launch a blog: Check! I just celebrated my fourth blogiversary, and I do think that my blog has contributed to my work (in both official areas) and to my own sense of accomplishment, and therefore general happiness. Blogging has given me so many amazing opportunities, not only to share my experiences and opinions with an audience, but also to work with brands, travel, and have tons of behind-the-scenes opportunities...and the Momterviews alone are worth all of the work that has gone into This Mom Loves. What I need to remember (which also relates to "Enjoy now") is that it's more important for me and my girls to have fun in the moment, and not worry so much about commemorating the occasion for my blog or corresponding Twitter/Facebook feeds. I have been guilty of pushing a photo op until the moment has passed and the fun is over! 

Enjoy the fun of failure: This one isn't easy, but having spent several years pitching magazines - often unsuccessfully, if success is defined as landing the assignment - I can now deal with rejection and learn from it. Not sure if I'm at the "enjoy the fun of it" phase...but maybe that will come! Being less afraid of failing has helped me to take more risks - especially since I usually have the safety of my laptop to hide behind - to the point that sometimes I'm more scared of what will happen if the answer is "yes" than if it's "no"!

Ask for help: I have never been afraid to do this at school, and I'd like to think that I'm the kind of coworker that others find "helpful". Cheesy as it may sound, I really do believe that we all win when we work as a team. I've been very lucky though that my husband is in the same profession as I am. Perhaps we spend a bit too much time talking about work, but I think it has helped us to bond by sharing our experiences. In the writing world, I know there are people I can turn to for advice, and I never hesitate to help another writer who has a question or needs a hand. Plus there's my amazing friend Sarah from Sleeping Is For Losers (Twitter @sarahnewk), whom I just met for the first time in real life, but who is always one of the first people with whom I share my blogging and writing news - and who is also quick to support me when I face a freelancing setback or disappointment (she's not telling...I don't think!)

Work smart: Why, oh why, do some people like to do things at the last minute? I have never in my life pulled a work-related all-nighter. High school, university, first year teaching...I have always prioritized my sleep (and relaxing in the evenings in front of the television!) and I pride myself on getting things done early. I'm a pretty efficient person (when hubby wants to get things done, his mantra is "Be a Kate! Be a Kate!") but that definitely means that I'm also a bit of a serious person, which some might see as a little bit boring. I'm okay with the fact that no one ever has, or ever will, refer to me as "a party girl".

Enjoy now: This one needs more work for sure. I'm very happy with my life right now (I don't suffer from the "everything will be better when...." syndrome) but since I always want to be ahead with what needs to be done tomorrow, I know I don't do enough rose-smelling. Definitely something to focus on this month...and March Break should certainly help with that. Is anyone else out there so done with winter???

Do any of these work-related happiness goals resonate with you? What are you going to focus on this month?

To catch up:

The Happiness Project: January
The Happiness Project: February

My First Official Photo Shoot: The Big Reveal

Last Sunday I attended a neat little party called "Headshots and Happy Hour".

Hosted by the lovely Alex (@clippo, I Don't Blog), it was an opportunity for a handful of bloggers to get together and have new headshots taken by the very talented Cherie-Lynn Buchanan (@clbuchanan, CL Buchanan Photography).

As each of us waited for our turn in front of the camera, Alex's husband served warm, homemade cinnamon buns and fancy-looking lattes (I'm not a coffee girl, but they sure looked good!) and we had a chance to get to know each other. (I think I'm the only one who hadn't met anyone in the group...so aren't you proud of me for actually agreeing to attend? This is big, people.)

While I wasn't thrilled about having my picture taken, the highlight of my day was finally meeting my best-writer-friend, Sarah (@SarahNewk, Sleeping Is For Losers) for the first time in real life! She has been an amazing professional support as we both navigate the freelance writing/media world, and you wouldn't believe how much you can go through with someone without ever seeing them face-to-face!

Cherie-Lynn had a very warm and complimentary manner - very important when trying to get women to relax and pose for photos - and only needed a few minutes with each of us to get the job done.

Within days she provided us with a very handy online process for checking our proofs and making selections. Our package allows three different poses, in both black and white, and it took me a while (and a few other opinions) to make my selections. I think I have a healthy attitude about my appearance in general, and I don't obsess over how I look in day-to-day candid shots with friends and family, but for some reason I have high expectations for how I will look in official, individual photos like these. I can always find something to critique, but I'm making an effort not to be so hard on myself. (The other ladies' shots were AMAZING, by the way. They're lovely women to start with, but Cherie-Lynn really brings out the best in her subjects.)

You will soon be seeing some or all of these pics popping up on the blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, my front lawn, etc., but here's a sneak peek:

Which one should I start using first? Do you prefer the colour or the black and white? I am well aware that I am the only one who cares about this, but humour me here, would you?

Adventures In Freelance Writing Volume III

If you missed the first two entries in this series, catch up here:

Adventures In Freelance Writing Volume I
Adventures In Freelance Writing Volume II

Successful Query Letter Sample

As promised, I'm kicking off this edition with a sample of a successful query letter which got me my first assignment for Today's Parent. I had queried this editor several times, always with prompt and positive replies (even if the answer was no) and once she was interested in a story and we went back and forth for a bit, but it ended up there was no room in the issue. Here's what I sent her one day last Spring:

"I'd like to propose a topic for your Steps and Stages: Pregnancy section, dealing with truths and myths about second pregnancies (the physical issues). Have you heard that the second time around you'll show sooner, urinate more and feel movement earlier? Well, I've heard it all too, but that doesn't mean it's true. I would interview OB/GYNs for the facts (I have my own connections, but if you have certain medical experts you use that's great), and get anecdotal comments from second time moms. (I know I can certainly share that my second labour was quicker, afterpains stronger and engorgement was lighter, but why?)

While some first-time moms certainly read parenting magazines throughout their pregnancies, I would bet that the large majority of your readers already have one child, and would be very interested to read about how their second (and subsequent, for those brave souls) pregnancies may be the same or different. Since this topic isn't seasonal, you could use it any time of the year.

Please let me know if you're interested, or if you would like me to resend links to writing samples, etc. 

Thanks!

Kate"

She forwarded this on to the appropriate section editor that day, who replied the next day and said that she liked it, and just needed the Editor In Chief to approve the idea. I got the green light on April 24th - and the story ended up in the October issue (just as a reminder about how far ahead magazines plan!)

You can check out the completed article here:

 

You Got The Job: Now What?

They loved your pitch, and gave you the assignment. What do you do now?

Be clear on the details: Read the contract and/or any other communication (e.g. e-mails) carefully to make sure that you know exactly what you're being asked to do. What's the word count? Does that include sidebars? Deadline? I was mortified not too long ago to get back a draft with lots of revisions necessary, because I had gone a bit off track and not covered the angle the editor was looking for. Once you get rolling, it can help to refer back to your assignment notes occasionally just to make sure you're going in the right direction. I checked in with another editor recently just to touch base with how I was drafting up an article - I'll probably be paranoid about that for a while now - and the reply read: "PERFECT! I love the way you are developing it!" Whew.

Get started: Once I have the job, I immediately open a document and start brainstorming all of my ideas. I usually decide right away who I need to interview, and most magazines are fine with a general Twitter or Facebook callout for sources.

For locating experts, Google can come in handy (though you have to be careful that the person you find actually qualifies as an "expert" on the topic), but usually I already have an idea of someone I'd like to speak to based on previous contact or their work in the media, so I'll fire off some e-mails and see who bites. I know Toronto-based magazines are sensitive about trying not to over-represent Ontario and the GTA in particular, so when looking for sources for my article above, I did some Googling and contacted a Midwives association out west and a OB/GYN association out east and was able to find two fantastic sources to interview. It's important to get this ball rolling right away, as it can sometimes take a while to get chats booked. I also find writing less painful (yes, I said it) when it's spread out over time.

Be professional: Always. Make sure your communication is appropriate and positive (even - especially? -on social media). Ask the important questions, but don't expect editors to hold your hand. Thank them for the opportunity - even though hopefully they're seeing it as a win-win situation, it never hurts to use your manners.

While I think I'm a decent writer, there's a huge pool of people out there with talent, and the way you conduct business could be exactly what sets you apart...for better or worse. 

I've even been offered a couple of assignments I didn't ask for, one at a magazine I'd never even contacted, because editors talk. Both started with "Such-and-such an editor suggested that you might be interested in writing a piece on..."

How I Made My Blog Work For Me:

There's no requirement that freelance writers have websites or blogs, but it's certainly a great way to showcase your work, practise your art (is that an oxymoron?) and perhaps make a few bucks. Here's how I use This Mom Loves to my advantage.

Sharing links: Right from the beginning I have had links to my published print work in the sidebar.

Focusing just the right amount on quality writing: I definitely try to avoid errors, but not to the point of obsession. I would say 95 % of my posts are error-free, but I can still go back through them and find the occasional typo. I make an effort not to let it bother me.

Making contacts and running with them: Right from the beginning I knew I wanted to feature interviews with well-known Canadian moms (Momterviews), and Canada AM's Marci Ien was my first taker. After making that contact, Marci has been fabulous about contributing to other blog posts and magazine articles, and when I pitched her the idea of featuring her and her favourite childhood teacher in Professionally Speaking (the magazine of the Ontario College of Teachers) she was game. The article turned out really well - they even did a photo shoot on the Canada AM set where they reunited Marci with that Grade 2 teacher, who still remembers her vividly! It was a great chance to mix my passions for education, writing and broadcast journalism, plus it was my highest-paying assignment yet. Marci also let me hang out on the set of Canada AM one morning, which was super fun.

Accepting review materials and sponsored posts, selectively: While I'm most interested in print publications, being paid for sponsored posts is still freelance writing work as far as I'm concerned, and while I realize you can't pay the bills with Build-A-Bears, being given products for review can still help a bit with the budget if they're the right items. Plus last summer we did Nashville for deep discounts as I was writing travel posts, and went to Centreville, Santa's Village and Legoland for free as promotional opportunities. Be very transparent and make it clear to your readers when products/services have been provided free for review purposes, or you were paid to write the post, and avoid any companies or products that don't jive with the values you hold or the image you want to present. 

Finding the right kind of advertisers: I chose the SavvyMom Media Collective, and I've been very happy with them. I just had to paste in some html code to get the ad spots running, and I have the power to veto any companies I don't want advertised on This Mom Loves (I think I've only ever turned down one or two). I receive cheques based on pageviews (which in my opinion is much better than pay-per-click revenue) which ads a little bit of income, and I'm occasionally offered well-paying sponsored posts with their advertisers as well.

That's it for this edition! As always, I am happy to answer questions from other new writers out there, so please don't hesitate to contact me! I'd also love to know what topics you'd like to see covered in the fourth volume of Adventures In Freelance Writing!

Deep Thoughts on My Blogging Voice

A very lovely and loyal reader e-mailed me earlier this week with some amazing feedback (I do know her in real life, but no, she's not related to me!)

The subject of her e-mail was "Thoughts", which could go in any number of directions, but what was on her mind ended up being very valuable to me.

She complimented me on my recent posts about writing (Adventures in Freelance Writing Volume I and Volume II), saying that they have a different energy than a lot of my other posts: "I just find that you are much more animated and the writing comes to life- your personality shines through," she wrote. "When you write about things that sincerely interest you, it changes your writing style." 

This really got me thinking, as I feel that most of the time I do choose topics that interest me - and it's definitely a freedom I appreciate, being able to write what I want when I want, especially when I also have the regular experience of writing to please editors - but there certainly are times that I write posts because I think there's a market for them, and not so much because I feel passionate about the topic myself. Definitely something to keep in mind when planning ahead for This Mom Loves. That's not to say that I need to close the blog off from ideas that are a bit out of my comfort zone, but I need to make sure that I'm letting loose and being myself if I'm going to put something out there.

Thinking about the things that I am passionate about, this friend went on to say: "I'm not suggesting you are square (hee hee)" - her parentheses - "but you are highly organized and efficient in your home life, as well as your career, and this is a talent that I think you should consider focusing on in your blog."

She did suggest that, based on what she knows about me (and what she would love to see as a reader) I should consider more organizational posts, perhaps incorporating questions from readers (she even threw in a few to get me started)! And you know what? I think that's a great idea. I am a very organized person, but in an efficient way, which may not be what some readers are looking for (not all organized people are efficient, which I will explain when I start tackling these questions!)

This was a slow blog week for me, with report card deadlines by day and magazine deadlines by night, so it was a great time for me to step back and absorb this feedback.

Thanks to this friend and reader...and to all of you who support me here at This Mom Loves! Hope you're ready for more organizational and writing posts, information about books and education in general, decorating before and afters (three projects being planned), more celebrity Momterviews and some fun products that my girls and I really like...because that's what's in store around here!

Adventures In Freelance Writing: Volume II - Tips and More

If you missed Volume I of my Adventures In Freelance Writing, catch up here!

When I look back at my e-mails, I can see that I took a long (almost 18 month) break from pitching and writing in 2011/2012, starting back up again last January 2nd, almost as an unintentional New Year's resolution...and what a year it's been! I've been published in two major, dream-for-me magazines with six more articles submitted and ready to go to print in 2014, plus several more assignments either lined up or under discussion.

Based on my busy year, here are some more tips for writers looking to break into national markets:

Get to know/get known by editors:

• Make contact with editors (not just editors-in-chief, but others from the magazine as well) in a VERY non-stalker way. I've started to follow many on Twitter, and I reply occasionally and on-topic when I feel I can contribute something to the conversation. For me, this is not some sort of phony technique, as I truly am interested in their careers and who they are as people. I can't say for sure if this has had any impact on getting assignments, but it makes me feel much more connected to the publishing world.

Do your research:

• Skip the generic submissions addresses; you want to be sending your pitches to the right person. Check the masthead and figure out who covers the department you want to pitch to (Health, Travel, Features, etc.) If you can find one person's e-mail address, you can figure out the formula (e.g. first.last@magazine.ca). 
• Send all submissions through e-mail, and include links to your writing if possible. When I pitch new editors, I send links to two or three of my articles, but I also have a whole section in my sidebar with links to my published work. Right over there.
• Actually read the publications you want to write for, cover to cover. I subscribe to every magazine I pitch, since my market at the moment is pretty narrow. At the least, read the most current issue. It looks good if you can say "this article would be a similar length and format to the piece about dental health in your October issue" - or whatever.

Be prepared for glitches and rejection (both active and passive):

• You will face rejection. You will either be ignored, or they will say "thanks but no thanks", or if you're lucky they'll say "no thanks, because..."
• One editor (who had never replied to my many pitches) e-mailed back once to say she liked my idea but was busy, could she get back to me later...and I never heard back again, despite a few follow-ups.This happens.
• Here's what I mean by glitches: I pitched an idea to a magazine and an editor liked it. It got the green light at a meeting, but a different editor didn't realize that the idea had come from a freelancer, and assigned the story to another writer. The editor I had dealt with e-mailed me immediately, apologized, and offered me a different story right away. I suppose I could have been fired up about it, but mistakes happen and God knows I make them too. It was handled so well that I had no problem accepting it and moving forward. (Also - it wasn't an earth-shatteringly original idea, so I didn't feel that attached to it.) On a related note, don't be quick to think that one of your rejected pitches has been stolen. Editors receive tons of similar ideas, which is why it's best to be very specific with your pitch to set it apart.
• Another heartbreakingly big glitch for me: From a PR rep, I had an inkling that I would have the opportunity to interview a major celebrity, so I contacted a comparably major magazine who was interested in running it...but after literally months of back and forth with the PR person, the interview didn't work out. While I really, really had my hopes up for that one (there may have been a tear in my eye, I'll admit), I had to take it on the chin and keep on going.

Know what you want:

• I stopped writing for local publications, and I'll be honest about my reason: if I only have enough moonlighting time to write an article or two a month, and I can get paid $1 a word for doing so, I can't justify spending the same amount of time and making 12 cents a word (though I completely understand why the budgets are so different).

Keep perspective:

• A "do as I say, not as I do" gem: don't continually refresh your Inbox. Get busy - spend time with family/friends, run errands, read (especially the publications you want to write for), and write - blog posts, more pitches, or something completely unrelated. 

When you're at home, whether on mat leave as I was when I first began, or because you're throwing yourself in to this career working from home, it can be hard to leave it behind, and to see it as a job.


Keep track:

Of course I'm a major proponent of organization, and I keep track of my pitches in one document with the date, name of publication, and date of reply (if any). When there's good news, I also track the deadline and invoicing date as well.

I keep my articles in a binder - and, yes, I know it's the digital age, but they're print magazines first and foremost, and I love having the tearsheets all in one place. I also realize it's pretty cutesy, but hey, it's just for me!

I have to mention that sometimes you do luck out with an editor who takes the time to give you feedback about your pitches. I asked one editor, who always went above and beyond with responses while working at a parenting magazine I was pitching, what her philosophy is about new writers. Her reply:

 "I always like to give new writers (meaning new to the magazine I'm working at) a chance to show their stuff. I don't mind passing along contacts and helping guide people's careers in any way I can. I have done this for many well-known editors/writers and even some popular book authors. I believe in paying it forward. It's always been my nature to do this. Over the years, I've seen young writers grow and prosper in their jobs or freelance work and have realized that it always comes back ten-fold." 
-Kerrie Lee Brown, former editor-in-chief of Oxygen magazine and executive editor at Today's Parent 
(On Twitter here)

How's that for perspective?

I am so blessed to be able to say that I'm at the point now where I'm getting all of the writing work I want and need, considering that it's a part-time endeavour for me. I'm hoping that through this series I can pay it forward myself and help at least one new writer looking to break into the world of freelancing!

In the next edition of my Adventures In Freelancing:

• A sample of a successful query letter
• You got the assignment: now what? (Including another mortifying personal moment)
• How I made my blog work for me

If any aspiring writers out there have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment or send me an e-mail at katewinn77 at yahoo dot ca.