Seeking a Writer to Assist - Any Scribes in the Pipesmoking Crowd?

[Sloopjohnbee]

I am looking for someone to assist (no problem making it a paid gig) in some copy, news article/marketing collateral and a press release regarding the sale of some fine art. Shouldn't take more than a week for all of it
It's pretty cut and dry but I have trouble getting words to paper in a clear and concise fashion
If anyone is interested in telling a great story and wants to pick up a couple of bucks while doing so, please let me know.
Feel free to PM me or respond here

 

[pauls456]

Sound interesting, I wish I had the time.

Sorry to nit-pick, but I believe 'cut and dried' is preferable to 'cut and dry'.

 

[mso489]

I have suggestions on how to go about this. You might try doing drafts of what you have in mind and then hiring someone to edit, and maybe expand them a little. But you want them spare and to the point. News outlets get bales of truly awful news releases that get more laughs than serious consideration. Places that might have people with the talent and discipline who need the money might be junior staff at a newspaper, graduate students at a local university, or ad copy people who are between jobs.

 

[bayareabriar]

Would your name be on it as the author? If so, MSO suggestions are par.

 

[anotherbob]

I have suggestions on how to go about this. You might try doing drafts of what you have in mind and then hiring someone to edit, and maybe expand them a little. But you want them spare and to the point. News outlets get bales of truly awful news releases that get more laughs than serious consideration. Places that might have people with the talent and discipline who need the money might be junior staff at a newspaper, graduate students at a local university, or ad copy people who are between jobs.

Mention the story and background but don't dwell on it. Express the mystery and then solve it. Now look at that art and how special it really is. End of story.
Or at least that's me taking your advice. And also taking your advice seriously, cause I know you only steer people wrong once a year to sate the closest thing to cruelty in your bones. Everyone gets cranky once in a while, even a stand up guy like you. (see I even applied your advice )

 

[fireground_piper]

I'll always suggest finding a professional copy editor who has references if you want a professional copy. I work within the publishing industry and the state of a proper copy edit dies a little more every day. If professional is what you want, go find a professional.

 

[mso489]

Yikes, did I sound that sour? It's from too many years in the business, or businesses, both literary and p.r. Which is like being a rock in a rock tumbler. Except I guess the edges get sharper rather than smoothed. Okay, I'm not being sour here, just battle hardened. One thing to be careful of is too much embellishment. People think you want a lot of romantic trimmings, whereas what you want is enough info well-tuned to the news and/or art market to entice them to give you a call. Almost always, spare and direct beats fluff. Fluff makes me, and most people, and all news editors, suspicious.

fireground', you are so right. Even the big metros are full of typos and bad word choice and grammar. And broadcast copy is beyond help.

 

[fireground_piper]

I've seen final manuscripts destined for print runs that needed to go back for full treatment. If it's staying in a digital format, forget about it. It's one of the first places people try to pinch pennies and it's crazy.

 

[anotherbob]

Yikes, did I sound that sour? It's from too many years in the business, or businesses, both literary and p.r. Which is like being a rock in a rock tumbler. Except I guess the edges get sharper rather than smoothed. Okay, I'm not being sour here, just battle hardened. One thing to be careful of is too much embellishment. People think you want a lot of romantic trimmings, whereas what you want is enough info well-tuned to the news and/or art market to entice them to give you a call. Almost always, spare and direct beats fluff. Fluff makes me, and most people, and all news editors, suspicious.

fireground', you are so right. Even the big metros are full of typos and bad word choice and grammar. And broadcast copy is beyond help.

more projects have been ruined by being too gentle and indirect then have been ruined by terseness.