Q. So, after reading about how some of my favorite writers got their start in foreign/war reporting, I've entertained thoughts of spending a few weeks in a hot spot and coming back with enough material to write a magazine feature, or at least file a few reports in a few papers to get the clips. I work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in another non-journalism industry, but I freelance two to three times a year, and my ideal is to contribute to national magazines, get a book deal or get a staff position at a regional magazine. And, go on some adventures as well, of course!
|
ASK JOE A QUESTION
|
To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that. Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail:
* Click here (sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.)
| |
I contribute to a regional magazine in New England, but whenever I pitch stories to the big leagues, I get nowhere -- which isn't necessarily the end of the world, but justifying a trip to Mexico, Colombia, Israel, Afghanistan, etc., to my wife (and myself) is easier with an assignment in hand. So, do I aim lower, toward the smaller regional title or even alternative newspapers and see if the smaller publications are interested?
Do foreign credentials hold at least some weight, if gained through the smaller publications? My family and I are not interested in moving to Myanmar or Eastern Europe or the Horn of Africa, so is a career of annual trips to hot spots a reality? Do people other than Jon Lee Anderson, Sebastian Junger and William Langewiesche get to do it once or twice a year?
Am I right in thinking that two weeks and a few clips worth of war reporting is going to open doors to the big leagues?
Am I setting pointless goals? Plus, all this is risky as hell. I've already failed at it once. Early in my freelancing days, I went to Mexico City for a British mag, which promptly (and rightfully) rejected the awful piece of literary junk I came up with. So, besides wanting the career and the achievement, I need to right a wrong, as it were.
Thanks
Scared but CommittedA. Well, THAT''s a boatload of questions. Let me try.
Very, very few people, after long years of hard work, get into a position where they can support themselves on a few reporting trips a year. I don't think you can get there directly from where you are now.
Freelancers usually do better going overseas with an agreement, or at least an understanding in hand, rather than to come back, writing up the story they discovered and then selling it. Do enough reporting before you go over to get people interested in the story you can do for them. And get a lot of direction from them.
Ask yourself whether you are in this for the journalism or the adventure. If journalism is not your prime driver, I am skeptical about your chances as a foreign correspondent or freelancer and think you might have better luck pursuing your wanderlust as a traveler.
Coming Tuesday:
This TV producer has hit the three-year mark in her career, the point at which she had planned to go to grad school. She wonders whether it is still a strong idea.
