question about getting published

[KCDem]

Hey, I have an idea for an op-ed piece I'd like to write, and I was wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom for getting it published. Specifically, I'd ideally like to write it for the DU articles section, and then, after some feedback from ya'll, send it in to either Newsweek or Glamour (I chose them because I subscribe to both, and Newsweek has their "My Turn" section, which it could be, and Glamour is outspokenly pro-choice, which is what my piece deals with... I'd be willing, of course, to consider other vehicles for publication.) Anyways, can one get "published" on DU and then resubmit to a periodical? Or is that verboten?

Thanks for any advice!

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. Happens all the time

Who owns the words is always negotiated. If you don't sign away your rights - you can proclaim them at the bottom of your article and shop it around.

But be honest - if you don't disclose beforehand that what you're offering has been published before, you'll get a bad reaction.

[roughsatori]

2. Some local Philadelphia papers pay about $300+

for an op-ed by an unknown writer. One of them, prefers that you submit a query letter and your idea before you send in the writing--they won't look at it if you do not follow procedure, this paper will not publish op-eds that were published elsewhere, unless the editor read it in another place and contacted you.

I would recommend always reading submission guidelines of individual mags and websites.

Also, look for a current book on how to get "non-fiction" published. It will answer most basic question you should have. I have had work requested from papers, but still had to follow professional guidelines, and newspaper submission formatting, which is different than, fiction, and poetry submissions.

Know the policy of the rights reverting back to you on publication--or if they now own your words forever. I have sold some poetry that I later could not put in an anthology without permission from the company that had bought my poems--and they wanted more money than I would have ever been payed for a poem, so I have no legal right to publish it.