Pitching & Writing 101: How I Landed My First Byline at Elle Canada

I had to write on spec.

Pitching & Writing 101 will offer a “behind the scenes” look at previous and current pitches of mine that I’ve sold whether through my contributing roles at various publication or a one-off publication. Each post will include a link to the story, the original pitch and subject line, my relationship with the editor, the rate, as well the process from start to finish and my takeaway from the experience, including the energetics behind it all.

My intention is to help demystify the process for fellow writers and editors and offer you a glimpse on how I did it. My process and career has definitely not been linear nor did I do things the “right” way but it worked out! Which goes to show…you can do it too. YOUR WAY.

The original pitch (April 21 2015)

Subject line: Pitch: Lessons Learned From My Aspie Mom

The pitch: Hi [editor’s name]!

Brianne Hogan here. I'm a freelance writer based in Toronto with over five years experience in the writing/editing field. My byline's appeared in a number of North American publications, including The Huffington Post, The Toast, XOJane, and many more. 

My pitch has to do with my super close bond with my mom. We're like Grey Gardens meets the Gilmore Girls. But the truth, the heart of our relationship, is something I've always strayed away from...until now. 

My mom has Asperger's (although there is some contention with that term, so she's basically high functioning Autistic). She was diagnosed when she was 45, and I was 22. I didn't know what "autism" was back then. There wasn't Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory, no Don Tillman from The Rosie Project, just Rain Man. Plus, I was freshly out of university and, regrettably, self-involved to understand or to care. 

When I recently moved back home with my parents, in my 30s, and was living with my mom all over again, the veil was lifted. I suddenly could see how different she was. And how different I was because of her, because of how she raised me. There are cool lessons that I've learned from her (speak your mind!), but there are also less cool patterns (keep people at a distance, no touching) that I've adopted because of my mom.

What prompted me to tell my story was Autism Awareness Month. There is a lot of literature about children with autism and Asperger's, but little first-hand accounts of what it's like to be raised by a parent who suffers from the disorder. I would love to offer a fresh perspective on this topic because I believe it needs to be shared.

The essay that I propose would cover my mom's diagnosis, details about our ridiculously close relationship, and the lessons I've gleaned from being raised by an "Aspie" mom. Also, it would serve to dispel the stigma surrounding the disorder -- that it's possible to learn love and intimacy from someone who's been classified "aloof" and "weird" for her entire life. 

Please let me know what you think! Thank you!

Brianne

The background

The above is all true! And this is something I’ve said countless times to new writers and creators — write what you know. Not only that…write the truth of WHO YOU ARE. What makes you unique? What’s the story that only you can tell?

And…WRITE IT LIKE YOU. My writing voice and style is evident in my pitch. This is who I write. Of course there will always be some crossover in terms of matching the tone of the publication but you always want to show off who you are and your voice. Or else…what’s the point?

My relationship with the editor

In terms of the editor’s contact info…I had a friend/former colleague who worked at Elle Canada and who kindly passed on the editor’s email. For context, I was writing for five years (as I mentioned) and that included working at a local magazine where I met with fellow writers and editors who also had their own contacts and connections. Networking is important! But not in the yucky, gross bullshit way…but in the “be a decent person, make legit connections, and share the wealth” type of way.

Photo by LUM3N on Unsplash

The process

First follow up: May 4, 2015.

Hi[editor’s name] 

I just wanted to follow up with you regarding my pitch, Lessons Learned From My "Aspie" Mom. 

Please let me know what you think! Thank you!

Cheers, 

Brianne 

The response: June 23, 2015

Here the editor told me she was interested in the story for the fall issue but needed to check in with her editor-in-chief.

Second follow up: July 9, 2015

Hi [editor’s name]! I am just inquiring on whether the story is going forward or not. thank you! 

The response: July 16, 2015

“So both myself and our editor-in-chief are very interested in your pitch and what you've learned from being raised by an "Aspie" mom. We think it would be a good fit for our October issue. What we do with new writers is offer them to opportunity to write 650 words on spec, so we can get a sense of your writing style and how you're thinking of telling this story.”

She also gave me a list of questions to answer in the piece:  

“You've written about your mom in the past so I want to make sure this differs from your previous articles. 

You've written about how your relationship is like the Gilmore Girls meets Grey Gardens, but have stayed away from "the heart of our relationship" -- so what is at the heart of it (aside from her having Asperger's), what does this relationship truly look like, and how has it changed over the years (from not knowing growing up to knowing now about her condition)?

What lessons (the good, the bad, the ugly) have you learned from your mom? How has she inspired you? 

Let me know if you are OK with the above, and if so I'd love to see a first draft by Wednesday July 22nd.” (SHE GAVE ME 5 DAYS TO WRITE IT!) 

Draft submitted: July 21, 2015

Response: July 23, 2015.

She told me “it was an interesting story” and gave me notes to give it “one more go” and to submit by July 28. (YES I WAS SWEATING AND I FELT LESS THAN…BUT THIS IS THE PROCESS…WE GET NOTES and WE CARRY ON…THIS IS WRITING. THIS MAKES US BETTER.)

2nd Draft submitted: July 27, 2015

Response: July 27, 2015

She said she would back to me shortly…

The follow up: August 18, 2015

I checked in because I hadn’t heard a peep and I was worried it sucked and she was going to kill the story.

Response: August 26, 2015

She gave me a few more notes and edits, and said she wanted this for their Nov, Dec or Jan issue. She gave me another week for deadline.

3rd Draft submitted: August 31, 2015

Response: October 1, 2015

Everything was good! They requested a few photos from me of me and my mom.

The rate

The editor offered me 800 words (so 150 more than originally asked for) for $800. Yes, $1 a word. For my first print piece ever!

The invoicing

This is always a headache as a freelancer. Especially when outlets require their own invoice template like this one did. It took a few follow ups but I finally got an invoice template on September 10, 2015. BUT then I didn’t receive any payment until the end of November or later. I forget. This involved a few follow up emails from me. Story of my freaking life as a freelancer. Anyway, your girl got paid.

The publication

The article came out in the December issue of Elle Canada, hitting the newsstands in November 2015. It featured Kylie Jenner on the cover.

You can read my article here!

The takeaway

Well, the turnaround was looooong. From April 21 to November 2015. The print world is definitely slower and requires patience. But the follow up is key (even multiple ones - just be moderate and respectful when using them). As for writing on spec…while normally I don’t recommend it, when you’re a new writer and/or you’re trying to prove yourself to big publication, I think it’s worth it. I knew the opportunity was bigger than my pride and ego. Also when you believe in your story and your writing, it helps. I won’t say I wasn’t battling imposter syndrome because I definitely was…but I knew my story was special and I wanted to share it, knowing it might help others. And what I can say? I love my mom.

The energetics behind the process

Okay…allow me to be a little woo woo here because that’s who I am. While this was a while ago, I do remember feeling totally aligned with this opportunity. I knew this was the right story for me to share. It did not come from ego but it came from my heart. I also knew this was the time for me to step up my game as a writer. So I kinda had the attitude of like, I am meant to do this and I am going to do it and if that means playing the long game (which it clearly did) then I will do it.

I had this knowingness even when it took weeks for me to hear back about the pitch and my draft. And from this knowingness, I was able to let it go. I DID NOT obsessively check my inbox. Of course I was curious! But I had reached a moment of surrender, and I knew that if not NOW, then it would happen eventually. It wasn’t a question of IF but WHEN. I do believe this helped me “manifest” it happening…as well as taught me a valuable lesson in what it means to be a writer/creator/freelancer/human. It really does come down to LETTING IT GO while also holding that inner KNOWING you can have and do what you want when the timing is right.

By the way…this is something I still practice and remind myself. But let me tell you — IT WORKS!

Have any questions for me? Feel free to drop them in the comments!