A cautionary tale from Brisbane writer and blogger Andrew McMillen.
You can find it here. Again, this isn't to decry the efforts of the enthusiastic writers who go to make up the backbone of the Australian street press - in my dealings with him, I've found Andrew to be a conscientious and thoughtful blogger, albeit a fraction earnest for my tastes. But read that first sentence of his blog entry again, and weep.
"I received my first rewrite request last week..."
And there was me wondering why the Australian street press is in such a dismal state! (In fairness to Australian Rolling Stone, I should point out that the one article I did for them went through several major changes, and JMag also demand input from their writers when the copy doesn't feel right. And of course you can argue that this is all to the well and good because these magazines actually pay their contributors but... wait a minute... doesn't Street Press Australia pay as well?)
It's what I've been arguing all along. It's not the bloody writers' fault - it's the editors'. Unless, of course, Andrew came so fully-formed into the world as a music critic his copy simply hasn't needed tweaking all this time. Yeah, I suppose that's possible. (Shrugs.)
Anyway, a revealing and thought-provoking article from Mr McMillen. Nice one, mate.
I considered taking (see: blogging) a look at local music press, but then I realised I wouldn't be able to afford enough tampons to tend to all the crying editors etc.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed, Everett.
For the record, I'm pretty sure I've had spelling mistakes edited IN to things I've published.
Oh, boo hoo, smug hippie cunt. If i was his editor I'd tell him to cut his fucking hair and get a real job as well. I've never read a blog so excruciatingly dull, long winded, self important and humorless.
ReplyDeleteC'mon Frank. Don't be shy. Tell us what you really think of Andrew.
ReplyDeleteFrank, don't you think that comment was a little, well, humorless?
ReplyDeleteHi Everett. Enjoying this series of posts so far. Thought you might be interested in the following article written for Overland, which deals with some questions regarding Aus Music writing:
ReplyDeletehttp://web.overland.org.au/?page_id=1179
No, I think it's hilarious, actually. Now Uberwensch, that's a funny blog.
ReplyDeleteEverett - get over it. McMillion - boo fucking who. Seems to me he now criticises this band for the sake of it when he clearly liked it initially. So what is is sook - love or hate?
ReplyDeleteThanks fer picking this up, Everett.
ReplyDeleteI should point out that I've had articles chopped and condensed by editorial staff many times - I thought that went without saying - but that submission was the first where an editor had instructed me to start afresh. Which is why I thought it warranted discussion.
And Frank.. a self-important blog? Imagine that!
Eat a dick you hippy cunt. Nice headband.
ReplyDelete