tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post7827318670807585466..comments2024-03-28T22:21:46.973-07:00Comments on Tossing It Out: An Easier Way to Get a News StoryArlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-52837392515824872262011-03-22T23:23:57.373-07:002011-03-22T23:23:57.373-07:00Emilee -- Yes we had several cool articles written...Emilee -- Yes we had several cool articles written about us. You'll have to look at my scrapbook if you never saw it before.<br /><br />Paula --the Snow White role was filled by a young lady with acting aspirations who had worked in the local passion play. A few years later I hired one of her younger sisters on a tour of Pinocchio.Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-46865976698846317602011-03-20T13:21:44.732-07:002011-03-20T13:21:44.732-07:00Lee these were wonderful stories about you and you...Lee these were wonderful stories about you and your family. You've led a very interesting life!<br /><br />Question: Who did you finally cast in the role of Snow White? :)<br /><br />To answer your question: I have written press releases and generally get them published verbatim so I am always cautious about submitting the same one to more than one local paper. Editors like to think they have priority and will often publish without a byline as if staff had written it.<br /><br />The world of journalism has changed considerably, I still submit client releases by individual e-mail to editors and these days there is always the Internet and several free PR distribution sites that one can target their release.Paula Sladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923061193682673368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-89990528231010424842011-03-16T20:09:14.831-07:002011-03-16T20:09:14.831-07:00I never knew about that story that was written abo...I never knew about that story that was written about you in High School. That's so cool!Emileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12134217500494485898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-12144127760274053552011-03-16T19:55:30.311-07:002011-03-16T19:55:30.311-07:00Brianna --Show you mother-in-law my press series a...Brianna --Show you mother-in-law my press series and ask her if she would help you get something in the local paper. If you write up a press release that's best, but just presenting the facts to a reporter can work too. It's a worldwide challenge that you're in and your're already a published author--that's a worth story for your hometown paper. Please share it with us when it gets in print. You and your mother-in-law can do this!Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-12836615641678839642011-03-16T19:38:13.612-07:002011-03-16T19:38:13.612-07:00I'm so impressed by your father!
My mother-in-...I'm so impressed by your father!<br />My mother-in-law is the perfect person to promote me. Even though my Chicken Soup story is one of a hundred in a book, she's been taking it everywhere and showing everyone! I've not been entirely comfortable with it, but now I see how valuable she is and how lucky I'll be to have her when/if I have an actual book of my own to promote!Briannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581532070734685757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-60605360185538082432011-03-16T07:58:08.492-07:002011-03-16T07:58:08.492-07:00Should probably hit 500 today (Wednesday 3/16)--Th...Should probably hit 500 today (Wednesday 3/16)--Thanks to you and all of our A to Z Team for some great work.<br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-81501942064658999182011-03-15T20:39:48.900-07:002011-03-15T20:39:48.900-07:00Lee, I just wanted to stop by and say that 490 par...Lee, I just wanted to stop by and say that 490 participants signed up for the April 2011 A to A Challenge is AMAZING! I had no doubt we could get to 500 and it looks like we will exceed that number. Thanks for all your hard work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-20235076610994949782011-03-15T19:21:11.071-07:002011-03-15T19:21:11.071-07:00Alex -- Fleeting fame in the local community perha...Alex -- Fleeting fame in the local community perhaps.<br /><br />Donea Lee -- If all else fails, you can usually find someone who like to do things like this.<br /><br />Alison -- Thanks for stopping by today.<br /><br />Marvin -- I'm surprised that you haven't done something like this. By all means try it. You could certainly come up with a good story the paper would like to print and if you sold a few books out of the deal that wouldn't be bad now, would it?<br /><br />Dezmond -- And you are aware then about the constant need for new stories and the value of word of mouth.<br /><br />L.G. -- Start preparing now and it will be easier.<br /><br />Nicki-- We'll be looking forward to your story. Use all the quotes you want.<br /><br />Jules - There you go! You already have the experience and you probably have some contacts in the news industry. We'll be looking for your story too :)<br /><br />Michelle --It seemed like my father always found a new friend wherever he went.<br /><br />Jemi -- If you plan on querying in the future this is a good way to get a start in a similar process so you get used to it. I remember when my sister was a teacher she got a few stories about her in the local paper. Can you get A to Z some Canadian press?Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-76074299843108464512011-03-15T19:05:52.720-07:002011-03-15T19:05:52.720-07:00Love the articles Lee!!! Awesome :)
I'm the f...Love the articles Lee!!! Awesome :)<br /><br />I'm the first to admit I'm a total coward when it comes to this sort of thing. I drag my heels at querying too - gotta work on that!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-49628892612397343472011-03-15T17:35:22.526-07:002011-03-15T17:35:22.526-07:00Your dad reminds me of the father in the book Chea...Your dad reminds me of the father in the book Cheaper by the Dozen (NOT the movie) Lovely tips on being courageous- you really never know who you know until you step up and ask.Michelle in a shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14631044089049410804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-38163043581152350122011-03-15T16:03:08.663-07:002011-03-15T16:03:08.663-07:00I can only say I got so mad female sports were not...I can only say I got so mad female sports were not be covered in the 70's that I just started my own newspaper. That landed me on the evening news :)<br /><a href="http://fragilemouse.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow</a>Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136045025997662057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-17689170927293743922011-03-15T14:37:11.384-07:002011-03-15T14:37:11.384-07:00Local e-newspapers are fabulous. Some (like Trib ...Local e-newspapers are fabulous. Some (like Trib Local in Chicago area) let you enter an article right in, and they occasionally take from there for the print edition. Also, after pestering another local e-paper about various promotional articles, the editor gave me my own column. :) <br /><br />My column is about fashion, but I have a feeling the editor won't mind one little bit if I submit something about the A to Z Challenge...would it be okay if I used some quotes from your blog posts? If so, please either e-mail me (elson.nicki@gmail.com) or drop me a comment at my blog. Thanks!Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-83999322334669036262011-03-15T13:56:18.055-07:002011-03-15T13:56:18.055-07:00Hi Arlee, new follower here. I've signed up fo...Hi Arlee, new follower here. I've signed up for the A to Z challenge. Feels a little like signing up for a double shift at the factory. Heck, who needs sleep. Bring it on.<br /><br />You can find me at Bards And Prophets on BloggerLuanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-76316495960808495762011-03-15T13:33:59.650-07:002011-03-15T13:33:59.650-07:00this was a delightful post, Lee!
I did work as a...this was a delightful post, Lee! <br /><br />I did work as a journalist, both during college, as a film editor in a magazine, and then later on in my local newspaper. It is quite an interesting job since it keeps you constantly informed about everything.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-46155161535034360182011-03-15T13:17:23.696-07:002011-03-15T13:17:23.696-07:00You know, I never have yet explored that possibili...You know, I never have yet explored that possibility. And, as you have now with much good entertainment enlightened me as to the distinct and probable value of it, I may just give the old college try!<br /><br /><a href="http://theoldsilly.com" rel="nofollow">marvin D Wilson</a>The Old Sillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661188622348794193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-57077287702139879342011-03-15T12:42:45.614-07:002011-03-15T12:42:45.614-07:00Lee--this story about your family is fascinating! ...Lee--this story about your family is fascinating! And your advice for getting the word out is marvelous. Great post. :)Alison Pearce Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00955543150406880055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-32522901663887461192011-03-15T11:28:58.064-07:002011-03-15T11:28:58.064-07:00Love the pic of you and your family! And your lit...Love the pic of you and your family! And your little brother juggling - what a fabulous keepsake! Self-promotion, however, is something I just don't know if I could do. I'm far too self-concious...but, I do like your suggestion about getting someone else to do it for me. I'll have to think about that... :)Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-28455826349547810892011-03-15T10:21:34.880-07:002011-03-15T10:21:34.880-07:00I never knew you were so famous!I never knew you were so famous!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-9683121921056653612011-03-15T07:12:13.865-07:002011-03-15T07:12:13.865-07:00Rachael -- And if you make that good press contact...Rachael -- And if you make that good press contact, you might be making a friend who can help you in the future.<br /><br />S. A. Larsen -- When you're new to something it often seems intimidating and a bit confusing, but once you're used to it, it's not that bad.<br /><br />Li -- Don't juggle professionally anymore, but I can still juggle--it's like riding a bicycle. Your Mom's advice is good. Too many of us are afraid to try and in the end miss a lot of great opportunities.<br /><br />Amie -- Exactly! There's always someone wanting to take advantage of an opportunity--might as well be you.<br /><br />Doris -- Great news about your story. Patience and persistence pays off and sometimes good timing get you in ahead of others.<br /><br />Yvonne --The influence of newspapers in dispensing news is diminishing, but they still do other things very well.Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-49288272252037649042011-03-15T05:37:54.688-07:002011-03-15T05:37:54.688-07:00A wonderful post Lee, enjoyed every last word.
Wh...A wonderful post Lee, enjoyed every last word.<br /><br />When I was doing charity work which consisted of poetry postcards I did that through a weekly newspaper here in the UK, raised quite a tidy sum.<br /><br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-3645888052644018692011-03-15T05:22:27.533-07:002011-03-15T05:22:27.533-07:00What a coincidence. I was just reading an email fr...What a coincidence. I was just reading an email from Short Story Book net, letting me know they have accepted my story, and it's now being featured on their "Guest Story" section. <br /><br />I guess the main quality for us is to be persistent and patient. <br /><br />Great post, Lee. <br /><br />DorisHold my hand: a social worker's bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283197748791227012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-42312740353951608792011-03-15T04:09:49.834-07:002011-03-15T04:09:49.834-07:00Definitely great advice! A friend of mine freelanc...Definitely great advice! A friend of mine freelances for some of the big papers here in Australia, and I've learned a lot from the way she pitches her articles. Editors have space to fill, and if you have the right pitch (and a little bit of nerve), then you could be the one filling it!Amie Kaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116472165351759477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-68722681929167808222011-03-15T03:52:21.216-07:002011-03-15T03:52:21.216-07:00I've submitted 6 items to the local paper over...I've submitted 6 items to the local paper over the years; 4 were printed. Most of the time they are helpful, unless there are space considerations, egregious typos (yes, apparently it still happens!), or the editor just doesn't think it's interesting (subjective). I HATE putting myself out there, but as Mom always said, "It never hurts to ask."<br />Hey Lee...I didn't realize you really were (are?) a juggler! How cool!Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08831231531918915804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-62140449565619053622011-03-15T03:34:25.081-07:002011-03-15T03:34:25.081-07:00I do freelance for some of our local newspapers. A...I do freelance for some of our local newspapers. At first I was way intimated, not sure how it all worked or even that I was worthy. It's worked out kind of nicely, though. I've met lots of people and people are starting to know my name.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing about your family. So interesting.S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-10167604703410747662011-03-15T03:20:57.227-07:002011-03-15T03:20:57.227-07:00Hi Lee, what a fantastic post. I love your suggest...Hi Lee, what a fantastic post. I love your suggestion: "Just remember that the people who work in the media are just people and it's highly unlikely they are going to laugh at you or slam a door in your face. They are probably more than willing to help you and you should approach them with the attitude that you are helping them find a good story--which you are!" Not something most of us would realize, I think. Bookmarked :)<br /><br />Hugs,<br /><br />RachRachael Harriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764930101064527321noreply@blogger.com