Holy Cow!

[The Lone Ranger]

So, you guys remember how I got the crazy idea to send writing samples to newspapers in the hopes of trying to convince somebody to hire me to write some sort of science-based column? I got lots of nice, politely-worded replies saying something like "We liked what you sent us a lot, but we don't have anything for you."

I even "tested" one of my writing samples beforehand by posting a (slightly altered) version of it here.

Anyway, I just got the following e-mail:

This is <snip>, deputy managing editor at the News & Observer. I read your essay on the universe, and almost went home because I felt like such an insignificant speck. You are obviously brilliant. I'd like to see a formal resume, if you could email one to me.


Is this cool or what?

Okay, Michael. Keep your perspective. It's not like he just offered you a job or anything. Still, I think I'll do my best to whip up a nice, formal-looking resume pdq.

Cheers,

Michael

[livius drusus]

That's amazing! I know exactly what he means, too, because I was awed in a similar way by your post on the universe.

Congratulations, Michael. Regardless of whether a job comes of it, that is one fabulous response. :2thumbsup:

[Godless Wonder]

Hey, that's pretty cool. Congratulations. I remember your essay as well.

It occurs to me that my boss is an insignificant speck too. :D

[Roland98]

That's awesome! He's sure not holding anything back, is he? ;)

[SharonDee]

It occurs to me that my boss is an insignificant speck too. :D
BWAH-Ha-Ha-Ha! :giggles: Oh, man, I needed that after the week I've been having with my boss. Heh.

Anyway, Michael, congrats on getting such a complimentary nibble. Here's hoping it blossoms into a full blown opportunity! :yup:

[Petra]

Wow, Michael, Uber-Cool Response. :bow:


I think you're in. I know you're in. ...Congratulations! :2thumbsup:

[viscousmemories]

Excellent news, Michael, and well-deserved praise for your writing. :yup:

[Crumb]

Wow, that's great Michael! Sounds like he is really interested. Where can I find what you wrote?

[Ex-zombie]

Hope it works out for you. Your writing is kick ass. :cool:

[maddog]

Bravo, Michael! Well done, indeed!
#258

[The Lone Ranger]

Thanks for all the kind words and wishes -- it's very cheery news indeed! I've got all my fingers and toes crossed! (Well, not right now -- that makes it hard to type.)

Sarah's quite pleased with the idea, because theoretically, I could live wherever the heck I please as a writer. (I don't know enough about the newspaper business to know if that's actually the case, but it doesn't seem so far-fetched.) That would neatly solve the "I'd rather not move too far away from my family" problem, since I could happily live just about anywhere so long as I have ready access to lots of nice green trees and there are some mountains reasonably close by.


Where can I find what you wrote?
I started this (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1171)thread awhile ago, and a modified version of the OP is one of the "writing samples" I sent out to various newspapers. I also have 2 articles in the "Philosophy" subheading of the Articles. They're both about the Japanese Martial Arts, if that sort of thing is of interest.

There are actually a couple of articles that I've been thinking of writing for the "Science" subheading for some time (can't let Roland98 have all the fun, after all!). Alas, given my 90-hour-a-week or thereabouts work schedule, I just haven't had time to sit down and do so. Someday.

Cheers,

Michael

[Beth]

I'm happy for you.:) It is no suprise to me that he thought you were so brilliant. I see that in many of your posts. ;)

[lisarea]

HOLY COW!

Now I'm all bitter and resentful of you, and I have a sudden urge to kick your ass, despite the obvious futility of such a proposition!

(Just kidding about the bitterness, but DAMN, man. Regardless of the outcome, that is one hell of an endorsement. You, Sir, have a mandate.)

[Dingfod]

Congrats, Michael. That is indeed cool.

[Crumb]

Ok, where's the holy cow smilie? :magic:

[viscousmemories]

Ok, where's the holy cow smilie? :magic:
Excellent smilie use, Crumb. :appl:

[Crumb]

Ok, where's the holy cow smilie? :magic:
Excellent smilie use, Crumb. :appl:

:ovation:

[Legs]

Congratulations, you must have felt like a million bucks after that.

P.S. I am new... just wanted to say hello

[Ex-zombie]

Hello and welcome Legs! :wave:

[Legs]

Hello ex-zombie, are you back to the land of the living? :yup:

[livius drusus]

Hi Legs! Great to see you dive right in. :thumbup: Feel free to post a wee intro in Say Hi, Gracie (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370), should you feel the urge.

Fantastic avatar, btw. :)

[seebs]

Excellent!

Just a warning: Making a living writing is FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE.

But it's nice side income. :)

[Dragar]

That's great news!

I read your piece on the universe you linked to. It's very well written indeed. My only niggle was "to express such distances, astronomers use the speed of light as the most convenient measuring device".

You'll rarely find light years outside of science fiction (or science fact written for the general public). The parsec is the unit generally used in astronomy.

Other than that, it was cracking and I hope you soon end up getting something in print!

[JoeP]

So, you guys remember how I got the crazy idea to send writing samples to newspapers in the hopes of trying to convince somebody to hire me to write some sort of science-based column? I got lots of nice, politely-worded replies saying something like "We liked what you sent us a lot, but we don't have anything for you."

I even "tested" one of my writing samples beforehand by posting a (slightly altered) version of it here.

Anyway, I just got the following e-mail:

This is <snip>, deputy managing editor at the News & Observer.
Michael, when I first saw this the above was what appeared on the first screen. Just to give you a measure of the comment that followed, I was already thinking "lots of actual rejections - that's very good". ( I assume they were personally written, but even a form rejection letter is a big step beyond not hearing from them.)

When I paged down -
I read your essay on the universe, and almost went home because I felt like such an insignificant speck. You are obviously brilliant. I'd like to see a formal resume, if you could email one to me.

Is this cool or what?

Okay, Michael. Keep your perspective. It's not like he just offered you a job or anything. Still, I think I'll do my best to whip up a nice, formal-looking resume pdq.

Cheers,

Michael
- I was extremely impressed. By all means keep your perspective, but I think you're onto a winner here.

joe

[Ab_Normal]

:bliss:

[freemonkey]

That's really great news, Michael. Maybe this job could be the jumping off point to a larger science writing career. :cheer:

[livius drusus]

:holycow:

[Crumb]

:popebull:

[livius drusus]

:giggle:

[Petra]

Michael, have you sent more off to this guy yet? Have you had any further response from him?

:)

[godfry n. glad]

Ok, where's the holy cow smilie? :magic:


:holycow:

[Crumb]

thanks godfry... :rolleye1:

:ptht:

[The Lone Ranger]

Michael, have you sent more off to this guy yet? Have you had any further response from him?

:)

I sent him a nice and formal-looking résumé, which I'm hoping he'll think is as impressive as all get-out. Of course, I'm not a professional writer, and though I used to write regular "guest columns" for a local newspaper back when I was in North Carolina, almost all of my remotely relevent experience is as a teacher and scientist, not as a writer.

So, even if he is enthusiastic, his bosses may take one look and decide that I'm not qualified.

I figure that it can't hurt to try though, so I've got my fingers and toes crossed, and I'll be keeping a sharp eye on the ol' "In-Box" for awhile.

Cheers,

Michael

[Petra]

I don't think it matters that you are not a writer, because you write so well and you know your stuff.

I've got my fingers, toes, elbows and knees crossed for you, Michael. :yup:

Let us know the moment you hear anything. :)

[AspenMama]

So, you guys remember how I got the crazy idea to send writing samples to newspapers in the hopes of trying to convince somebody to hire me to write some sort of science-based column? I got lots of nice, politely-worded replies saying something like "We liked what you sent us a lot, but we don't have anything for you."

I even "tested" one of my writing samples beforehand by posting a (slightly altered) version of it here.

Anyway, I just got the following e-mail:

This is <snip>, deputy managing editor at the News & Observer. I read your essay on the universe, and almost went home because I felt like such an insignificant speck. You are obviously brilliant. I'd like to see a formal resume, if you could email one to me.


Is this cool or what?

Okay, Michael. Keep your perspective. It's not like he just offered you a job or anything. Still, I think I'll do my best to whip up a nice, formal-looking resume pdq.

Cheers,

Michael

Wow Michael-- You must realize that it is highly unusual to not only receive a response, but such a complimentary one!! I'm a writer by trade but for a far different purpose-- writing grants for a non-profit. Perhaps 10% of what I write garners any response and of that, rarely do you hear or get something above and beyond what you had intended. Things seem to really be turning your way lately!

By the way, did you ever submit anything to National Geographic? I'm a bit fond of National Geographic and their Kids version.