31 Oct
2007
31 Oct
'07
8:27 a.m.
On 10/31/07, Janani Gopalakrishnan <writetojanani(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Frankly, we freelancers have a bit of power in our
hands in that respect --
to say "NO!" We may not be able to avoid such cuts by the uber-editor. But
when that happens, we can always go back to the editor and say, "Next timeat
you do that, I won't write for you!"
Well said! :-) It always feels good when i see that people are willing
to take a stand to do the right thing :-)
Or, where we think that won't have any
effect, just ignore the publication. I might not be a *big* writer and my
cold shoulder might not even be noticed, but at least, as a writer, I have
the satisfaction of ensuring quality.
i would say its more about ethics rather than quality in this case.
One publication I stopped writing for (because they
randomly snipped
paras -- I waited till two such instances, to give them the benefit of
doubt) although the name would have looked good in my resume, is The Hindu.
And one publication where I've not had that problem with is Linux For You
and its sister publications -- they've (almost) always cooperated and sent
me the final draft for checking (post editing) -- so there aren't any rude
surprises when I see the work in print!
This is indeed VERY useful information and its wonderful that you are
sharing it with all of us. Thanks!!!
i sincerely hope people - ESPECIALLY ``experienced" people who keep
talking to the media are listening.
And frankly, the interviewees also have a role to play
here. Every time they
find a misinterpretation by the author, they *must* write to the editors and
bring it to their notice -- because, whether it was the author's mistake or
the editor's random editing, they will at least know that
interviewees/readers object to such practices!
i second that.
It's like the choice between FOSS and proprietory.
Here, it's a choice
between quality and money/reputation.
Err... i wouldn't use that analogy as FOSS - Free and Open Source
Software is literally translated as being about about Freedom and
Quality.
Regards,
- vihan