tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118088594951580098.post4708897376287597076..comments2012-02-10T17:26:25.603-05:00Comments on Writer's Bridge: Building your own pipelineDarrell Lauranthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08090297521794483087noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118088594951580098.post-5818147105888624972010-06-06T14:52:25.236-04:002010-06-06T14:52:25.236-04:00Never thought of promoting myself by contacting Ch...Never thought of promoting myself by contacting Chamber of Commerce or colleges, getting on their mailing lists, etc. Great ideas, Darrell.<br /><br />My first paid piece, an Op-Ed for The Oregonian, came about because my local paper in Eugene ran an AP article about the dangers of entering sweepstakes, especially how the elderly are caught up in it and lose their savings. Being a hobby sweepster myself, I knew that you never had to buy anything in order to enter, something the article was not emphasizing.<br /><br />With enthusiasm I fired off a query to the editor at the biggest paper in our state, because I knew this subject had national attention, and shared my side of things. Got a call while sweeping my kitchen floor, lol. He wanted to run my opinion piece. <br /><br />I knew I'd be getting a byline (with my mug shot) but the check that arrived after publication was a complete surprise. I was so new at the frelancing game, I hadn't even asked if they paid.<br /><br />So, yes, read your local papers. They're a great source of ideas and inspiration.karen97https://www.blogger.com/profile/11428557998932097584noreply@blogger.com