I want to propose a series of articles for our local newspaper - a weekly - about the people and products at the Farmers Markets in our town. It would include human interest, nutritional info & recipes. Each article would focus on produce available at the time.

How to I submit this idea to the paper? Should I write, email or call for an appointment? With the editor or general manager? Do I mention up front that I want to get paid? Do I send my writing sample with the proposal or take it in person? Is 1 sample enough or should I have several? I have more than 1 that has been published in a newsletter, but they are not all on food or farming.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

God Bless!

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), March 01, 2002

Answers

Appointment, in person, with the publisher (if the publisher has an office at your location, otherwise, I'd try the editor). Take more than one sample. I'd even do one up of exactly what you intend to produce. Have in writing an outline of what you propose, just like you oulined here, but with more detail. Do you propose a six week run, eight weeks? Do some homework ahead of time. List a set of six topics, or eight topics, but remind the interviewer that they can be flexible depending how this summer's crops go.

And yes, I'd make it clear you expect payment. Have you 'sold' articles before, or have they been volunteer efforts? Perhaps you can use that as a way to introduce the payment idea. Something like "here are some articles I've had published, this one paid quite nicely". Probably the most important and most effective will be to have a list of local businesses that you believe they can sell advertising to, based on the content of your series. Don't narrow your articles to be 'Farmer's Market' specific, because that could be seen as asking for free advertising for the farmer's market. Keep it broader - grocery stores carry the same produce, and pay big bucks for advertising. Keep the stress on freshness, and remind people regularly about the Farmer's Market. In my opinion, the advertising possibilities will be the key. Just because it's human interest won't sell it to the paper, but $$ will.

Sounds like a terrific idea - wonder if it'd work here?

-- Bernie from Northern Ontario (bernadette_kerr@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

Bonnie,

Before moving to the farm I was a newspaper editor for a small weekly paper. Generally there is a small staff and an even smaller budget. Expect payment (if there is any) to be in the $20-$25 per article range. We generally did not pay for articles like you mention because it was like free advertising. We always received articles written by local clubs, businesses, schools, playhouses, etc. to promote their cause.

If your interest is in being paid then approach them as being a freelance writer. Send samples of your writing, if you have not been published then write sample stories you would like to see in the paper. Let them know that you would be available for assignment on topics they are interested in. They may call you next time the new park is being dedicated, the fair is in town, a 100 year-old woman has a birthday, etc.

Proofread your stuff many times (not just send it through spellcheck) and don't make it more than 500 words. Space is at a premium in small papers and mistakes will get you rejected immediately.

Good luck and JUST SEND IT IN! Do not be afraid of rejection. Small papers do not get enough good local writers. Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), March 01, 2002.