Explain to Me the Proper Way to Pitch Record Reviews to Editors of Free Local Weeklies

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Or any other kind of editor, for that matter. I mean, how does this work? Do I suggest stuff that has yet to be released? If so, how do I convince him or her that I have something interesting to say if I haven't heard the record in question yet? Or do I just write in and demand an assigment? I am a spastic fool and need your help.

― Handsome Dan, Friday, 30 September 2005 04:13 (twenty years ago)

If possible, have something ready to show them. Have previous examples of your work, but it's great if you have an idea at the ready. You really have to be tenacious -- and here's an awful truth: it never gets easier.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 30 September 2005 04:56 (twenty years ago)

Alex is right. But it never hurts to go in with spec reviews, either, and if you show good stuff it can work out really well for you. I don't want to over-encourage you, but I've been doing this for a lot of years and I'm still amazed at some of the places I've managed to find work. Also, if you're really a good or even OK writer, you'd be surprised at how inviting mags with small budgets (ahemaltpressahem) can be. Above all, don't be a shrinking violet just 'cause you've never been published.

― Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Friday, 30 September 2005 05:14 (twenty years ago)

ask the editor politely if you can write a review of X album because you strongly feel that X band does X thing like no one else. in fact, X band is XX at X thing and goddammit, people gotta know! i mean, have you heard X band?! and make sure X record is coming out in the next month or so, cuz editors need a bit of lead time...

then be happy if you get $25 for it. be ecstatic if you get $50 for it. go out of your fucking head if you get $100 for it. (i'm talking alt weeklies, btw)

― ken taylrr has gone off the internet because of you (ken taylrr), Friday, 30 September 2005 05:20 (twenty years ago)

Also, watch to see what kinds of stuff they tend to review, look for holes in the coverage. If you like hip-hop and they don't have much hip-hop, or jazz, or whatever, that gives you an opening (assuming you know enough to write well about those areas). When I was an alt-weekly editor, I was contacted by two different guys wanting to write jazz reviews, and I accepted both on spec over the phone because I didn't have anyone else doing it. They were both good and became regular contributors. So it helps if you can bring something to the table that is otherwise lacking.

― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Friday, 30 September 2005 05:24 (twenty years ago)

generally, i'd agree with alex in saying that it doesn't get much easier, however, if you actually develop a rapport with a few editors, they'll often look to you for review pitches, and at the very least be open to your ideas without too much pre-writing scrutiny.

― ken taylrr has gone off the internet because of you (ken taylrr), Friday, 30 September 2005 05:24 (twenty years ago)

you know, i posted that last response before being able to read gypsy's

― ken taylrr has gone off the internet because of you (ken taylrr), Friday, 30 September 2005 05:37 (twenty years ago)

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